Hoops Wire

Tag: De’Andre Hunter

  • Hawks’ Trae Young to miss time with concussion

    Hawks’ Trae Young to miss time with concussion

    Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young suffered a concussion after taking an inadvertent elbow from Cleveland Cavaliers wing Isaac Okoro in Saturday’s loss, the team announced.Trae Young

    Young left the game with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter, when the collision took place. Okoro was called for an offensive foul on the play, but after review, it was ruled a common foul.

    Young will now begin the league-mandated Return-to-Participation process, which includes a series of steps “designed to ensure an athlete exhibits symptom-free behavior before resuming basketball activities,” the Hawks said in a statement.

    No timetable for his return has been determined.

    Young, 25, is averaging 26.9 points, 10.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds, shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 36.4 percent on 3-pointers. 

    The Hawks (18-24) sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and are widely expected to trade guard Dejounte Murray before the Feb. 8 deadline. Others such as small forward De’Andre Hunter and center Clint Capela have also been mentioned in trade rumors over the past few weeks.

    Young is in his sixth NBA season and carries career averages of 25.6 points, 9.5 assists and 3.6 rebounds, while shooting 43.6 percent overall and 35.3 percent on threes. He is a four-time All-Star and is making $40 million with three years left on his contract.

  • Kings on lookout for strong defender ahead of trade deadline

    Kings on lookout for strong defender ahead of trade deadline

    The Sacramento Kings are looking for a “strong defender” to add to the rotation before the Feb. 8 trade deadline, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes

    While Woj didn’t throw out any names, several wing types are believed to be available — including Warriors small forward Andrew Wiggins, Hawks wing De’Andre Hunter and Nets forwards Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith, particularly known for his perimeter defense.

    It’s not known if the Kings have interest in any of those players, especially the likes of Wiggins and Hunter, who have larger contracts and who would cost more assets/players.

    But there seems to be little doubt that the Kings are looking to make a move — with forward Harrison Barnes and shooting guard Kevin Huerter reportedly being dangled as bait.

    During a weekly chat on social media platform Threads, Wojnarowski responded to a reader who asked about potential Sacramento moves.

    “Tell me the Sacramento front office is looking for a strong defender to add to the lineup,” the user wrote.

    “Good news: The Kings are looking for a strong defender to add to the lineup,” Wojnarowski responded.

    The Kings blew a massive fourth-quarter lead in losing to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, as our Brandon Santomauro detailed.

  • Cavs linked to Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter, Nets’ Royce O’Neale

    Cavs linked to Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter, Nets’ Royce O’Neale

    The Cavaliers really like their current roster, but as is generally the case in the NBA, there is room to improve.De'Andre Hunter drives by Jarrett Allen

    Multiple reports and Hoops Wire sources have said the Cavs are exploring ways to do exactly that before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. No surprise there — as president of basketball operations Koby Altman has always been a man who’s willing to pull the trigger on a deal.

    Recently, we relayed that the Cavs are on the lookout for another 3-and-D wing type. We threw out a few names. Now, Marc Stein of The Stein Line has mentioned several more.

    Per Stein, the Cavs have shown interest in Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O’Neale, a close friend of guard Donovan Mitchell from their days together with the Utah Jazz. Along with that, Stein reported that supposedly available Atlanta Hawks small forward De’Andre Hunter is another player to monitor in Cleveland.

    “One veteran team executive read my Sunday piece that wondered aloud about the Cavaliers pursuing a trade for Brooklyn’s Royce O’Neale and relayed that Cleveland indeed has O’Neale on its list of targets,” Stein wrote.

    “Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter is said to be another name to watch in Cleveland’s ongoing search for a 3-and-D upgrade — although absorbing Hunter’s contract (which has three seasons and $70 million left on it after this season) makes him a challenging payroll fit (and, frankly, difficult for the Hawks to trade anywhere).”

    That said, Altman has always managed to get creative and make trades work. So if the Cavs believe that Hunter can take them to another level, that you can be sure they will try to acquire him. We just don’t know that with any degree of certainty.

    Cleveland very well could make another move, one source told Hoops Wire. But it would be surprising if it were a splash, the source added.

    But hey, it never hurts to check the marketplace and see if there’s a splash to be had, right?

  • Suns aim to add wing ahead of deadline; Reggie Miller says they need point guard

    Suns aim to add wing ahead of deadline; Reggie Miller says they need point guard

    The Suns looked like the team everyone thought they could be in hammering the Lakers on Thursday night. But they may not be complete.James Jones

    Per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT, the Suns are still looking for an “athletic wing” ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline. Haynes reported the news during the TNT broadcast, and analyst Reggie Miller followed with an opinion of his own.

    Basically, Miller said the team needs a point guard, “maybe not to play major minutes,” but to at least help set up the offense.

    He may have a point. The Suns are stacked with the likes of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but could use some help in the ballhandling department. Again, perhaps at least in reserve.

    Miller is one of the greatest perimeter shooters in NBA history, and he can appreciate a player who can deliver the ball when and where a shooter wants it. (In fact, fellow analyst Mark Jackson served as one of those players for Miller.)

    Anyway, back to Haynes’ report. Despite Miller’s valid thoughts, the Suns are on the lookout for a player with athleticism who can play the shooting guard/small forward spots. There are indeed some reportedly available — with the Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter and Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins on that list. But odds are, the Suns are seeking someone who could come off the bench and would come a little cheaper than those two.

    Do the Suns still need some upgrades? Odds are, head of basketball operations James Jones is hardly feeling desperate. At the same time, there’s always room for improvement.

  • Hawks open to just about anything ahead of trade deadline

    Hawks open to just about anything ahead of trade deadline

    The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the NBA’s most disappointing teams. That’s a simple statement, but also a fact.Dejounte Murray

    Despite some offseason tinkering, the Hawks have done little more than run in place. Just when you think they may be going someplace … they prove that they’re really not. Three years ago, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s been a study of mediocrity since.

    But they are trying to change all that, and as far as who they might trade, guard Dejounte Murray is the name mentioned most.

    But he’s far from the only possibility, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Center Clint Capela, forwards De’Andre Hunter and Saddiq Bey and shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic are among those who could be had. The only players the Hawks really want to keep are said to be star guard Trae Young and forward Jalen Johnson.

    “I think the Hawks are open to ALMOST anything at the trade deadline, but there’s no question that they’ve gone as far as they’ll probably go on Dejounte Murray’s pairing with Trae Young in the backcourt,” Wojnarowski wrote in his weekly chat on Threads. “They’re talking Murray deals — and others — throughout the league.”

    Turnover in Atlanta? Yeah, it seems likely. And given the state of the team, that could only be considered a good thing.

    The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, Feb. 8.

    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • Hawks ‘absolutely open for business’ on potential trades

    Hawks ‘absolutely open for business’ on potential trades

    Things haven’t gone nearly as well as hoped for the Atlanta Hawks. So yes, they will explore ways to shake up the roster, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.Dejounte Murray

    Names such as guard Dejounte Murray, forward De’Andre Hunter and center Clint Capela have all hit the rumor mill recently, with the lone untouchable said to be star guard Trae Young.

    “The Hawks are absolutely open for business on trades,” Wojnarowski wrote during his weekly chat on the social media platform Threads. “GM Landry Fields seems determined to make changes to that roster.”

    Sources told Hoops Wire they believe that Murray will be the most likely to go before the Feb. 8 trade deadline — simply because he’s likely to bring the most in return. Plus, he was acquired before Quin Snyder was brought in as coach.

    More than that, the Murray-Young combo hasn’t moved the needle, with Atlanta sitting at 13-19 entering Wednesday’s home game against the up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder.

    Murray has been linked mostly to the Knicks, though multiple others are said to be interested.

  • East Rumors: Hawks, Dejounte Murray, Wizards, Cavs

    East Rumors: Hawks, Dejounte Murray, Wizards, Cavs

    Hawks

    Wizards

    • Most everyone around the NBA expects the Wizards to be sellers at the trade deadline, with the likes of forward Kyle Kuzma and point guard Tyus Jones drawing the most interest, sources told Hoops Wire.
    • That said, the Wizards really like Jones and consider him a pro’s pro who may be good to keep around for the long term. But he’s in the final season of his contract, making him an automatic trade candidate who appeals to teams such as the Nuggets, Pelicans and Warriors, among others.
    • Washington small forward Deni Avdija and guard/forward Corey Kispert are sure to draw interest from rival teams, though it’s unclear if the Wizards will make either available, per Fischer.

    Cavaliers

    • Rookie point guard Craig Porter Jr. stands a good chance to have his two-way contract converted to a standard deal at some point this season, making him eligible for the playoffs. Porter, who was not drafted, already has proven to be a steal of a signing, especially with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland struggling to stay on the court.
    • One rival GM told Hoops Wire he believes the Cavs have been the most injury-prone team of the past two years, with the Clippers coming in second. “Cleveland has had a lot of dumb luck — and clearly a medical staff that’s very in tune with every last thing,” the GM said, half-jokingly, before laughing. “How many doctors they got in that building? … I feel bad for the coaching staff. But give (the team) credit, they’ve been resilient.”
    • Mitchell has been the subject of trade rumors but the general consensus among insiders is he is absolutely positively not going anywhere, as we relayed here and here and here and here. You don’t trade a star after just 1.25 seasons. You just don’t. This isn’t NBA2K.
  • Trae Young Hot, Damian Lillard Not; Hawks Blast Bucks in Milwaukee

    Trae Young Hot, Damian Lillard Not; Hawks Blast Bucks in Milwaukee

    While Trae Young really had it going, Damian Lillard couldn’t find the range. In fact, Lillard didn’t record his first basket until 3:33 remained in the third quarter.Trae Young

    So Lillard’s second game with the Bucks didn’t go nearly as well — as Young and the Hawks coasted to a 127-110 road win.

    Young finished with 20 points and a game-high 11 assists to lift Atlanta to its first win. And doesn’t it seem like the entire Eastern Conference is 1-2 after three games?

    Anyway, Lillard scored six. That’s right, six. On 2-of-12 shooting. And guess how many turnovers Lillard recorded?

    Yes, also six.

    That’s not to pick on Lillard, everyone has a bad game. But it just goes to show that in an 82-game season, we need to be careful with hype. Lillard was amazing in his Bucks debut. But despite what everyone said, there will be an adjustment period. There always is when you team a new star with a holdover star. In the Bucks’ case, the latter man is Giannis Antetokounmpo (26 points, 11 rebounds).

    Milwaukee also replaced Mike Budenholzer with Adrian Griffin, a first-time head coach. So that too may take some adjusting.

    But just as there was no reason to think the Bucks were on their way to the title after edging the 76ers in the first game, there’s no reason to panic over this one. There are 80 games to go, and that means never getting too high or low.

    Meanwhile, the Hawks (1-2) haven’t played terribly, but not great, either. So they definitely needed a night like this.

    Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 points for the Hawks, and Dejounte Murray and De’Andre Hunter each scored 15.

  • East Notes: Hawks, Pistons, Bulls, Ayo Dosunmu

    East Notes: Hawks, Pistons, Bulls, Ayo Dosunmu

    Hawks

    The fact the Hawks are starting camp with everyone healthy is a plus for a team that’s looking to build off last year’s 41-41 finish, per Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

    “I really feel that having everybody healthy, ready to go with the energy, with the new concepts that we have offensively, defensively has been really great,” center Clint Capela said, via Williams. “Energy was there on offense and defense, a lot of intensity. So I like it. It’s fun.”

    • The Hawks will need to find a replacement to start at power forward after trading John Collins to the Jazz this offseason, wrote Wes Morton of Peachtree Hoops. De’Andre Hunter and Saddiq Bey are undoubtedly among the candidates. And whichever doesn’t start at power forward likely will at small forward.
    • GM Landry Fields also offered high praise for third-year power forward Jalen Johnson. “The progression of Jalen, especially defensively in the last season, really gave us a lot of hope this year where it’s like, ‘OK, can you put him into the more four lineups whether he’s starting or not and add in some of those elements defensively as well as his playmaking ability,” Fields told reporters. “We’re excited for his growth this year.”

    Pistons

    Power forward Isaiah Stewart has the respect of coach Monty Williams and his teammates, Williams said, via Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.

    And Stewart may have the inside track on the starting power forward role because of it.

    “It’s his character, it’s his toughness, but more importantly he works, and guys respect work,” Williams told reporters. “In this culture, when you walk into this gym and you’re not working, you stand out. And he leads it. He and (Jalen Duren) have led the charge. Those guys are on the floor every day together getting sweat equity in, and it sends a message to the team.”

    • Meanwhile, the primary backup big man role will go to either Marvin Bagley or James Wiseman — a couple of former No. 2 overall draft picks. “It’s a work in progress right now to figure out which one of those guys is going to step up and be the, more than likely, the backup big,” Williams told reporters.

    Bulls

    Minus the injured Lonzo Ball, the Bulls’ starting point guard job appears to be up for grabs. Candidates include Coby White, Jevon Carter and Ayo Dosunmu, who spoke to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago about the role.

    “Ultimately, I think that competition is going to help our team in the long run,” Dosunmu told Johnson. “We go at each other and try to kill each other in practice. When we’re on the court together, it’s going to make our team much more smooth. Me going into my third year and our core group being together pretty much the same time, it’s getting time for us to turn the corner.”

    • Veteran addition Torrey Craig is expected to add an edge to the Bulls’ frontcourt. “A little bit of toughness,” Craig told reporters of his role. “A little bit of an edge for guys with raw emotion to say how they feel and wear those emotions on their sleeve.’”
  • NBA Notes: Lakers, Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Hawks

    NBA Notes: Lakers, Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Hawks

    Lakers

    The Lakers’ offseason actually began at the trade deadline in February, when they started to reshape the roster and added depth, wrote Shaun Powell of NBA.com.

    During the summer, they’ve added the likes of big men Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes, guard Gabe Vincent and forward Taurean Prince, as well as re-upped with guards Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, as well as forward Rui Hachimura.

    “The capstone of the offseason, though, was re-upping (Anthony Davis) for another three years at $186 million,” Powell wrote. “Getting him on that deal locks him in through 2028.

    Basically, the Lakers are aiming to continue their run to the Western Conference Finals and put together a full, consistently good season.

    • In case you missed it, Davis was hoping the Lakers would bring in some help to relieve him at the center spot, so he is likely happy with the signings of Wood and Hayes. We have that full post here.

    Pacers

    Former Pacers forward James Johnson had tons of praise for point guard Tyrese Haliburton, placing him alongside some of the best players in the NBA.

    “He’s probably the biggest student of the game that I’ve ever been around,” Johnson told Ryan Hollins on the Rookie Life podcast, via Tony East of SI.com. “Somebody who [does] nothing but [watch] film.”

    Johnson, 36, spent last season in Indiana. He’s now a free agent. But he got a good look at Haliburton first, putting him right up there with the likes of Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, and Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.

    “His way of not running away from confrontation is what makes him such a great leader,” Johnson said of Haliburton.

    Hawks

  • Hawks Continue Pursuit of Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, Offer De’Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin

    Hawks Continue Pursuit of Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, Offer De’Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin

    It appears as if the Hawks aren’t giving up on the idea of acquiring Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, believed to be available.Pascal Siakam

    And if he’s not available, well, the Hawks seemingly hope to change all that.

    One of Atlanta’s offers for Siakam involved forward De’Andre Hunter, guard/forward AJ Griffin and draft compensation, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. That said, the Raptors have rebuffed the Hawks to this point, and as Charania noted, are increasing their demands for Siakam.

    While Siakam has not requested a trade out of Toronto, the sides appear to be getting nowhere on a contract extension. Siakam, 29, is entering the final year of a contract that reportedly will pay him close to $39 million.

    That very contract situation could be what’s holding up a potential trade — and why rival teams such as the Hawks aren’t willing to give up too much. Per Charania, Siakam has expressed a desire to remain with the Raptors and may be unwilling to sign with any team that acquires him.

    In other words, Raptors president Masai Ujiri and GM Bobby Webster have some work ahead when it comes to what happens next with Siakam. But clearly, if they run into a dead end, the Hawks very clearly will offer to help them out.

    “This will be Siakam’s eighth NBA season, so he can sign for 30 percent of the salary cap either now via extension or next offseason as a free agent with the Raptors or any other franchise,” Charania wrote. “The Raptors are eligible to sign Siakam to a maximum contract extension of four years and at least $192 million. Thus far, there have been no substantive conversations surrounding an extension.”

  • Pacers Have Held Talks on Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter

    Pacers Have Held Talks on Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter

    The Pacers are staying aggressive ahead of Thursday’s NBA Draft, speaking with teams on several fronts and perhaps dangling their picks to land some veteran talent.Jonathan Kuminga

    Per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Pacers and Hawks made progress on a potential deal centered on Atlanta small forward De’Andre Hunter, though those talks eventually fell apart. Some suspect they could be revisited during or after the draft.

    The Pacers also reached out to the Warriors to discuss forward Jonathan Kuminga, per Fischer. Hoops Wire sources have said Kuminga could be dealt if the Warriors were to receive a player and pick.

    Along with those names, the Pacers have been linked to free agent forwards Kyle Kuzma (Wizards), Harrison Barnes (Kings) and Grant Williams (Celtics).

    It is believed Indiana would be willing to part with its No. 7 overall pick in exchange for a wing/small forward with length.

    Pacers president Kevin Pritchard has already pulled off one deal — sending the Nos. 29 and 32 picks to the Nuggets, though they still have four remaining (Nos. 7, 26, 47 and 55). They also swapped second-rounders with the Lakers, as we relayed here.

    Per Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files, Pritchard is “not done yet” when it comes to dart-day deals.

  • Kevin Pritchard: Pacers Not Keeping All Five Draft Picks

    Kevin Pritchard: Pacers Not Keeping All Five Draft Picks

    The Pacers have five picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft, including one in the lottery and two in the late-first round.Kevin Pritchard

    Everyone pretty much already knew Indiana has no desire to bring five rookies to training camp in the fall — and now they know it because head of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard has come out and said it.

    “We’re not gonna keep all five picks, but there’s just a lot of things we can do,” Pritchard said, via Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. “And my guess is we’ll get a lot of offers for those picks too.”

    So we can expect the Pacers to make a trade or two on draft night. Or at the very least, try with all their might. The one pick they seem determined to keep, however, is the one they own at No. 7. By all accounts, they feel some immediate help will be available there.

    Then again, they might part with it if the return was some veteran help on the wing, as we relayed here. For instance, they have been linked to Hawks small forward De’Andre Hunter, who is supposedly available.

    Either way, Nos. 26 and 29 are said to be very much up for grabs, as are their two second-rounders (Nos. 32 and 55).

    The Cavaliers are one team that is looking to move into the first round, and may have spoken to the Pacers about doing just that, as we relayed here.

    “They’re looking at guards. They’re looking at wings. They’re looking at forwards,” ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony said of Indiana on a recent call with reporters. “I think that they’re at the stage of their rebuilding right now where they can go in a lot of different directions. I don’t think they’re going to be hamstrung by position. Knowing (Pritchard) for a while now, he’s always been a guy who is focused on talent.

    “He wants to make sure that five years from now he’s coming away with the best player he can in this draft. Rosters change. Guys come. Guys go, but, like, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best player possible.”

  • Pacers Making No. 7 Pick Available in Search for Wing

    Pacers Making No. 7 Pick Available in Search for Wing

    The Pacers are making it clear they will part with their No. 7 overall pick in Thursday’s draft for help at the wing spots, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.Kevin Pritchard

    Indiana owns five picks in the draft overall. Along with the No. 7 pick, the Pacers also have the Nos. 26, 29, 32 and 55 selections.

    While it’s not been determined who the Pacers are seeking specifically, they previously explored trades involving Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter for shooting guard Chris Duarte and draft capital, and Raptors forward OG Anunoby, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

    In the event the Pacers keep their lottery pick, they’re said to be seeking the same type of player they’re looking for in a trade — a shooting guard or small forward.

    “They’re looking at guards. They’re looking at wings. They’re looking at forwards,” ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony said on a conference call with reporters. “I think that they’re at the stage of their rebuilding right now where they can go in a lot of different directions. I don’t think they’re going to be hamstrung by position. Knowing (Pacers president Kevin Pritchard) for a while now, he’s always been a guy who is focused on talent.

    “He wants to make sure that five years from now he’s coming away with the best player he can in this draft. Rosters change. Guys come. Guys go, but, like, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best player possible.”

    Sources have told Hoops Wire the Pacers are unlikely to keep all five picks and bring five rookies to training camp.

    “I’d be stunned if they walked away with five picks the night of the draft,” added ESPN’s Bobby Marks on the call. “You look at where their roster is. They really only have three free agents with (Oshae Brissett), (James Johnson) and George Hill. It’s the quality over quantity, which is what they’re looking at.”