Atlanta Hawks rumors: The Atlanta Hawks enter the NBA offseason looking to build around Trae Young, one of the NBA’s emerging stars heading into the 2020-’21 season. With only a few weeks before the season begins, time is ticking for Atlanta.
Coming off a 20-win season, the Hawks landed the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. With plenty of cap space and the assets to acquire a co-star to play alongside Young, the Hawks are at the heart of numerous trade rumors this offseason.
Let’s take a look at the latest news and rumors involving the Atlanta Hawks.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Hawks, check out #TrueToAtlanta rumors, rankings, and news here.
UPDATE: Nov. 22, 1:40 PM EST
Atlanta Hawks rumors: Bogdan Bogdanovic signs $72 million offer sheet
The Atlanta Hawks have spent like crazy in NBA free agency, and their spending spree continued on Sunday. After days of speculation, Bogdan Bogdanovic is signing an offer sheet with Atlanta.
As first reported by The New York Times’ Marc Stein, the offer sheet is for a four-year contract worth $72 million. Because the Sacramento Kings have the right to match the offer, Atlanta’s front office structured the deal to make that far less likely.
Most importantly, for the Kings, it includes a 15% kicker. Because of the NBA’s rules, Bogdanovic would also have a no-trade clause in the first year of the contract if Sacramento matches the offer.
If the Kings wanted to trade Bogdanovic, they would also need to cover a 15% trade kicker on the contract. Given shooting guard Buddy Hield is entering the first year of a four-year, $94 million contract, it’s even more unlikely Sacramento matches the offer.
The Hawks have essentially used all their cap space for the 2020-’21 season. Bogdanovic’s contract, along with the signings of Rajon Rondo and Danilo Gallinari, will make it difficult for Atlanta to retain John Collins when he hits free agency.
UPDATE: Nov. 21, 5 PM EST
Atlanta Hawks rumors: Team signs Kris Dunn, Rajon Rondo
Entering the offseason, the Atlanta Hawks put Rajon Rondo, Danilo Gallinari, and Bogdan Bogdanovic at the top of their wish list. With the NBA moratorium period set to end, clearing the way for free agents to sign officially, the Hawks are landing their targets.
Atlanta signed Kris Dunn to a two-year contract worth $10 million on Saturday morning, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Dunn, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, addressed two crucial needs.
The Hawks needed defense and more three-point shooting for next season. While Dunn shot 25.9% from beyond the arc this past year, he hit 35.4% during the 2018-’19 season. It’s a small aspect of his game, with defense serving as his calling card.
Atlanta wasn’t done adding experience to its backcourt. As first reported by Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Rajon Rondo is joining the Hawks on a two-year deal worth $15 million.
The 35-year-old point guard will bring tons of experience to a young team. He looked good during the NBA Playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 8.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
The Hawks still have enough cap space ($20 million) to sign Bogdanovic, but the Sacramento Kings have the right to match any offer he receives. However, Atlanta could pursue a sign-and-trade with Sacramento.
UPDATE: Nov. 20, 8:40 PM EST
Atlanta Hawks rumors: Danilo Gallinari signs three-year, $61.5 million contract
The Atlanta Hawks entered NBA Free agency flush with cap space and looking to make a big move. Connected to every marquee forward on the open market, Atlanta found its man on Friday night.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Danilo Gallinari is finalizing a three-year contract worth $61.5 million to join the Hawks. Following the deal, Atlanta will have approximately $26 million in cap room remaining.
Gallinari, the No. 6 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, posted strong numbers this past season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. The 32-year-old forward was outstanding from beyond the arc, averaging 2.7 three-pointers made per game with a 40.5% three-point rate.
While Atlanta was considered a favorite to sign Gallinari, the fit is a bit off. John Collins averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this past season. The 23-year-old power forward is under contract for $4.1 million this season and would be a restricted free agent in 2021.
It’s not like the Hawks are thin at center, either. They acquired Clint Capela during the 2019-’20 season and just spent the No. 6 overall pick on Onyeka Okongwu. While this team is certainly more talented than it was last season, either Collins or Capela now face uncertain futures in Atlanta.
Updated: Nov. 18, 6:22 PM EST
Atlanta Hawks rumors: Team front runners to land Danilo Gallinari in free agency
This could dramatically change what the Hawks plan to do with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and moving forward into free agency. According to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando, Atlanta is front runners to land veteran forward Danilo Gallinari in free agency. The report notes that it will likely be a three-year deal. This comes following another report that the Hawks could also land veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
It’s not a secret that Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk is doing everything possible to provide stud young guard Trae Young more help. Gallinari, 32, would be just the help Atlanta needs. He averaged 18.7 points on a resounding 41% shooting from three-point range for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season. Slotting Gallinari in at the three with Rondo running the offense would create a more wide-open offense for Mr. Young.
This potential signing could also impact that the Hawks do in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft later on Wednesday. Our most-recent mock has Atlanta going with another wing in that of France’s Killian Hayes. While that could very well still be the case, there’s a chance big man Onyeka Okongwu from USC could be the target. Obviously, that depends on the John Collins contract situation and a potential trade.
Updated: Nov. 17, 7:03 PM EST
Atlanta Hawks rumors: Team in on Gordon Hayward trade
The Atlanta Hawks are busy looking for a second top-end player to team up with Trae Young. It was previously reported that Atlanta was willing to offer up the sixth pick (scroll below). New Bucks acquisition Jrue Holiday was one of the team’s targets.
We now have more Atlanta Hawks rumors on the eve of the NBA Draft. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, that includes the team showing interest in Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward. It’s not yet known how a trade of this ilk would work. And if Hayward surprisingly decides to opt out of the $34.2 million salary, Atlanta could simply sign him outright. The team boasts an NBA-high $51.2 million in cap room.
As for the Celtics, are are attempting to find another point guard after losing out on the Holiday sweepstakes. Current starter Kemba Walker is said to be on the block. One of the best ways for Boston to add a top-end guard would be to use its assets (three first-round picks) and Hayward’s expiring contract to move up in the draft and flip that pick for a proven veteran. James Harden and Russell Westbrook come to mind.
So how would a Hayward trade to the Hawks looks? It’s extremely complicated. The Hawks could send Dewayne Dedmon and potentially someone like Kevin Huerter and the sixth pick to Boston. In turn, the Hawks acquire Hayward, either Robert Williams or Grant Williams, the 14th pick and one of the Celtics’ two other first-round selections.
Update: Nov. 13, 10:55 AM EST
Atlanta Hawks rumors: Multiple teams want No. 6 overall pick?
The Hawks have built a young core through the NBA Draft in recent years, taking advantage of multiple top-10 selections. Sitting at the No. 6 overall spot in a deep, nut not overwhelmingly talented draft class, Atlanta is listening to offers.
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, a number of teams have called the Hawks about trading the No. 6 overall pick. The Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics are among those showing interest.
Minnesota isn’t considering moving dow from No. 1 overall to the No. 6 selection, but O’Connor notes another deal could be on the table. The Timberwolves might be open to packaging the No. 17 overall pick with shooting guard Jarrett Culver.
The 6-foot-6 guard was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, averaging 9.2 points in 24 minutes per night during his rookie season. He offers intriguing tangibles on the defensive end, which Atlanta needs given Young is one of the worst defenders in the NBA.
Boston owns the No. 14, No. 26 and No. 30 overall picks in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, talk around the league is the Celtics haven’t found any team with a top-10 pick interested in that package for a trade down.
The trade discussions with the Pelicans are the most intriguing, especially given recent rumors of another deal that the Hawks are discussing.
Latest NBA mock draft: Updated first-round 2020 NBA Draft predictions
Atlanta Hawks rumors: Jrue Holiday traded to Atlanta?
According to The New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Hawks are the latest suitor to emerge as a potential landing spot for New Orleans Pelicans star Jrue Holiday. The All-Star is being shopped around the league and is generating tons of interest.
Atlanta’s front office recognizes the top priority this offseason is finding a guard who complements Young perfectly. Specifically, the Hawks need a shooting guard who can either handle the ball or play off it. Most importantly, they need someone who excels on the defensive end.
Holiday, named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team in 2018 and the All-Defensive Second Team in 2019, fits that need perfectly. Additionally, he is a team-first player that won the league’s NBA Teammate of the Year award this past season.
During the 2019-’20 season, he averaged 1.9.1 points, 6.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 61 games with the Pelicans. However, set to become a free agent next offseason, New Orleans wants to move him now to get something valuable in return.
For the Hawks, Holiday fits everything the organization is looking for. However, they would likely want him to sign a contract extension if they are giving up the No. 6 overall pick to acquire him.
Holiday would instantly help make the Hawks a playoff team next season. With Clint Capela healthy, Atlanta would boast a starting five featuring Young, Holiday, John Collins and Capela. Additionally, they would have Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter and Kevin Huerter proving valuable minutes.
If New Orleans wants the No. 6 overall pick, they will likely need to include another draft pick to sweeten the pot. Ultimately, this could turn into a win-win blockbuster trade for both teams.
Atlanta Hawks draft picks: What picks do Hawks have in 2020 NBA Draft?
The Atlanta Hawks have an impressive history of success with their draft picks. One thing you can bet on from a front office that has made pick swaps in recent years, something big could happen on the night of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Here’s a look at the Hawks’ current picks headed into the NBA Draft. With only one first-round pick and a late second-round selection, it further highlights why Atlanta is considering a trade down, with an opportunity to pick up later selections.
- First round, 6th overall
- Second round, 50th overall