NBA Notes: Hawks, Deandre Ayton, Jazz, Thunder

Hawks

Rumors have been circulating that Deandre Ayton is ready to move on from the Suns, and if that’s truly the case, the Hawks should be considered a serious contender, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

As we relayed, the Hawks are expected to explore a roster shakeup this offseason, and one NBA source has consistently told Fischer that Ayton is the guy they want.

Fischer, speaking on The Athletic NBA podcast, said if the Suns are to move Ayton, it will likely be via a sign-and-trade, as they don’t want to lose him for nothing. The Hawks may be receptive to such an idea, given their presumed willingness to move some pieces around.

Other potential targets for Atlanta, per Chris Kirchner of The Athletic: Pistons forward Jerami Grant, Trail Blazers guard Josh Hart, Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, Bulls guard Zach LaVine, Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons, and Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

Jazz

Star guard Donovan Mitchell was reportedly unsettled following the departure of ex-coach Quin Snyder, though Fischer said some are interpreting that as Mitchell’s perhaps laying the ground work for a trade.

Or more precisely, a potential trade request in the event the decision on a new coach “doesn’t theoretically go the way they would want it to go,” Fischer said.

That said, league sources have told Hoops Wire they don’t suspect Mitchell will seek a trade– or that the Jazz will even consider making him available — anytime soon.

• In case you missed it, the Jazz have already interviewed former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry, as well as internal candidates Alex Jensen and Lamar Skeeter, in their wide-ranging coaching search. You can keep up on all the latest on our Jazz page at this link.

Thunder

Kentucky product Shaedon Sharpe and his camp have the Thunder at the top of their wish list when it comes to potential destinations via the NBA Draft, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

OKC owns the No. 2 overall draft pick, though Sharpe isn’t projected to be selected until the Nos. 4-6 range, at the earliest. Nonetheless, Sharpe and the Thunder have “mutual interest,” via Givony.

The Thunder also own the No. 12 pick, as Givony noted. So if they don’t take him at No. 2, there is a sense they could use the No. 12 to move up and draft him. It has been reported that the Kings (No. 4 overall), Trail Blazers (No. 7) and Pelicans (No. 8) may all be willing to move their lottery picks.