De'andre Hunter

NOTE: This podcast was recorded Wednesday at 11 AM EST before the Dejounte Murray trade happened. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Hawks beat writer Chris Kirschner discuss the trade market for John Collins, the chances of a Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade, De’Andre Hunter’s potential contract extension value, and more on the latest edition of the HoopsHype podcast.

As the NBA offseason approaches, Atlanta Hawks fans will be watching to see what moves, if any, the team will make to improve their roster and Jon Chuckery ask, what players would you not want to see the Hawks move on from?

Few teams had a more disappointing season than the Hawks. Fresh off a trip to the conference finals, expectations were sky-high in and around the building. Fans and ownership alike were hopeful for another deep playoff run, but instead, they got an inconsistent and underperforming product that ended in a first round exit.

Our 2021-22 Atlanta Hawks player review series continues with a look at the third season of forward De’Andre Hunter. De’Andre Hunter has had a difficult year to evaluate. It has been equal parts maddening, inconsistent, and yet ever so briefly brilliant. By most high draft pick’s third year, there are signs of either turning the corner and living up to pre-draft hype, or substantial doubts about the player’s ability to make the previously anticipated impact in the league.

The Toronto Raptors will likely keep their trade feelers extended for as long as possible this offseason, as this squad could be one or two significant additions away from proving themselves as a contender. If the Atlanta Hawks are interested in remaking their roster, De’Andre Hunter could be one piece that ends up getting moved.

The Atlanta Hawks rebuilt their team around NBA All-Star Trae Young by drafting well. Potentially, too well. Now, they’re loaded with quality young players who will all need contracts. Their books may not be able to handle it. This team may need to consolidate some of those pieces sooner than later.

The Hawks will be heavily involved in free agency and the trade market this offseason. Atlanta’s GM Travis Schlenk has already stated changes are coming, and he was backed by Tony Ressler, who told the media entering the luxury tax doesn’t scare Hawks’ ownership. The two biggest...

A Utah Jazz makeover could be underway this offseason, and the team appears to have at least one notable target in mind. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this week that the Jazz like the game of Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter. Kirschner also notes that Hunter, a strong defender, is theoretically what Utah needs to build around guard Donovan Mitchell.

I’ve heard the Jazz like De’Andre Hunter’s game, and he’s, theoretically, what they need more of moving forward if Mitchell is whom they decide to build around. Utah needs more perimeter defense, maybe worse than Atlanta, if you can actually imagine that after what we watched this season.

Grading Hunter's third season in the NBA.

If it weren’t already obvious after the Hawks’ lackluster performance this season, Travis Schlenk has confirmed major changes are coming this offseason. Expect Atlanta to be aggressive in their pursuit of a second All-Star to pair with Trae Young, and the work doesn’t stop there. This team needs to make a lot of changes if they want to contend for championships, but the good thing is they do have the pieces in place to turn things around in just one offseason.