Surprising Eastern Conference team emerges in Kevin Durant trade rumblings

Matthew Wadleigh

Surprising Eastern Conference team emerges in Kevin Durant trade rumblings image

The trade rumors involving Kevin Durant will likely pick up in the weeks leading to the NBA Draft. The Suns have reportedly shopped Durant this offseason, and the Houston Rockets are one team linked to a Durant trade. 

Kelly Iko mentioned Phoenix is "reportedly aggressive" in a Durant trade, so there could be more rumblings coming from Phoenix. 

Well, another team has jumped into the conversation, although this one is a bit surprising: The Atlanta Hawks. Sam Amico of Hoops Wire mentioned the Hawks as a target even with them still trying to find a president of basketball operations. 

  • One league source told Hoops Wire not to be surprised if the Hawks get involved in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. While they have yet to hire a president of basketball operations, team ownership has already inquired internally about Durant, sources said.

The Hawks potentially acquiring Durant and pairing him with Trae Young could be a fun duo to see on the floor, although both players love to have the ball in their hands. 

Young is also eligible for an extension this summer, so the Hawks giving him that deal could show their hand in either going all-in or attempting to rebuild. 

With the Suns searching for draft capital, the Hawks have the No. 13 and No. 22 picks in the upcoming draft, so either or both of those could be enticing to the Suns in a possible Durant swap. 

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Matthew Wadleigh

Matthew Wadleigh is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in Southern California and grew up a San Diego sports fan (yes, it’s tough, except for Aztecs hoops). Matthew went to Fresno State as a journalism major and got to see Davante Adams, Derek Carr, Paul George and Aaron Judge in person. Matthew has written for publications including ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Fansided, Trojans Wire, UCLA Wire and Buffaloes Wire.