Report: Hawks tried ‘hard’ to acquire Kevin Durant at trade deadline

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Atlanta Hawks tried “hard” to acquire Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant at the trade deadline. 

The Hawks have been trying to pair Trae Young with another superstar. 

“One surprise team that pursued Durant hard at the trade deadline with other teams making calls to Phoenix was the Atlanta Hawks, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “The Hawks, who were also in trade discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans on a deal centered around Brandon Ingram before he was traded to the Toronto Raptors, have been searching for another star to play alongside Trae Young.

“Could the Hawks take a massive gamble on Durant in the final year of his contract to try and figure things out quickly around Young? With Clint Capela becoming a free agent and likely departing, along with other players on expiring contracts, it’s unlikely that Atlanta has the assets and money to make a trade for Durant.”

Durant will make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

However, the Suns are expected to consult Durant on any trade discussions involving him this offseason.

One of the top players in NBA history, Durant was upset the Suns shopped him at this year’s NBA trade deadline. The Golden State Warriors had a deal to acquire Durant, but the two-time Finals MVP blocked it because he didn’t want to get traded “midway through the season.”

Durant has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns. He’s a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a one-time MVP and a four-time scoring champion. 

Durant turns 37 in September. He’s averaging 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.1% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line.