Yardbarker
x
NBA insider expects offseason to be among the wildest in history
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

With the NBA playoffs winding down, the offseason will soon take center stage, one that will be particularly intriguing for Atlanta Hawks fans.

Mum has been the word of late when it comes to the Hawks search for a President of Basketball Operations, which could result in the club just rolling with Onsi Saleh as their primary decision-maker, who took over as general manager when Landry Fields was fired.

But whether it’s Saleh or someone else calling the shots, most expect the Hawks to at least be in the conversation for some of the biggest names in the sport this summer, which Shams Charania believes could be the wildest offseason in NBA history. 

The domino that every team in the NBA will be waiting for to fall first is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Many believe the two-time MVP could finally force a trade out of Milwaukee, given the suboptimal position they find themselves in after Damian Lillard tore his Achilles in the playoffs.

But Giannis Antetokounmpo is just the tip of the iceberg. Kevin Durant is also expected to be traded by the Suns, someone who was rumored to be a target of the Hawks at the trade deadline. The Celtics could also find themselves involved in blockbuster moves as they aim to re-tool their roster after a disappointing early playoff exit and an injury to Jayson Tatum that will keep him out all of next season.

Of course, this is far from the first time the Atlanta Hawks have been connected to these kinds of superstars, and if history tells us anything, they’ll strikeout more likely than not. However, a desperate Hawks team could put together quite an enticing trade package.

Dyson Daniels just turned 22 years old and is fresh off being named the league’s Most Improved Player, and Zaccharrie Risacher finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. Both would garner a lot of attention on the trade block, along with other young pieces like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. The Hawks also own two first-round picks in this year’s draft (#13 and #22), and while their own first round picks for the next few years are controlled by the Spurs, they still have the ability to move future first round picks several years down the road if the situation calls for it.

That’s a lot of firepower, which should have every Hawks fan excited for the potential scenarios this offseason.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!