As the dust settles following the Hawks’ trade of Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, new information has slowly come out.
Recently, NBA insider Brian Windhorst shed light on the situation, reporting that the “Hawks weren’t interested in taking Brandon Ingram.”
The one-time All-Star will give the Pels or whoever acquires him around 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while providing length on the defensive end. A big wing who can score is the most valuable thing in this league, so why weren’t the Hawks interested?
Well, according to William Guillory of The Athletic, the Hawks weren’t interested in Brandon Ingram because of his looming contract extension. Whoever acquires the former lottery pick will surely be on the hook for a max contract extension, a deal that will pay Ingram north of $50 million per season, a price that should make Hawks fans extremely uncomfortable.
Obviously, it’s not my money, so I’d prefer the Hawks to pay everyone and bite the bullet on the luxury tax. Tony Ressler has plenty of money to spare in that sense. However, let’s talk in reality. Ownership has done all it can to avoid paying the luxury tax, and Brandon Ingram would effectively end any chance of another star coming to Atlanta.
Another piece of information that has surfaced in regard to the trade is the Hawks’ unwillingness to move either of its centers in Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu, according to William Guillory of The Athletic.
Capela has been rumored to be on the trade block, but it seems the Hawks are comfortable keeping the duo together. It’s certainly never a bad thing to have a pair of productive centers, especially with Trae Young as the focal point of the team.
However, if the right deal comes along, the Hawks should absolutely be willing to part ways with Clint Capela.
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Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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