Rumors

The Warriors have been viewed as the overwhelming favorite to sign Horford if he keeps playing. However, a new report from Marc Spears of ESPN.com listed a couple of new Eastern Conference teams as showing interest in the big man as he weighs his next move. “Golden State obviously expected him to sign last week, he didn’t [sign],” Spears said on ESPN’s NBA Today Monday. “Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table. He’s still considering retiring, he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and a lesser extent to the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”

Booth Newspapers

Oh No He Didn't: Marc Spears: "Trae has shown his commitment to Atlanta by actually turning down an opportunity to be with Jordan Brand in Greece...he went to Vegas to be with the team...but right now there's not really any substantive talks in terms of an extension at the moment"

x.com

In many ways, Nance returning to Cleveland was quite possibly the league’s worst-kept secret. Even during his time in New Orleans, Atlanta and Portland — the places he went after a first Cleveland stint that lasted a little more than three years — Nance remained part of the Cavaliers’ family. He was involved in the team’s high-stakes fantasy football league. He kept strong relationships with various members of the organization, including Altman and general manager Mike Gansey. He proudly watched the All-Star-level growth of old teammate Darius Garland. He cheered on his brother, Pete. Spent summers here. Stayed embedded in the community.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Shams Charania: Phoenix: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Koby Brea, Daeqwon Plowden, 2nd. Houston: Kevin Durant, Clint Capela. Brooklyn: 2 2nds. Golden State: Alex Toohey, Jahmai Mashack. Atlanta: 2nd swap, David Roddy, cash. Lakers: Adou Thiero. Minnsota: Rocco Zikarsky, 2 2nds, cash. Terms of the first ever NBA trade involving seven teams.

x.com

Fred Katz: The NBA-record seven-team trade is agreed to, league sources tell @TheAthletic . The Rockets and Suns have expanded the Kevin Durant trade to include five other teams: Atlanta, Brooklyn, Golden State, Lakers, Minnesota. The move will consolidate a bunch of previously agreed upon trades into one deal.

x.com

Fred Katz: League sources say the trade will send: • Kevin Durant, Clint Capela to Houston • Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Daeqwon Plowden to Phoenix • David Roddy to Atlanta All other elements of the deal are pick trades from draft night that are yet to be finalized.

x.com

Houston Rockets: The Houston Rockets have signed guard Kevon Harris to a two-way contract. Last season, Harris played in the G League for Atlanta’s affiliate, College Park, where he averaged 19.8 points and was named MVP of the G League Next Up Game held during NBA All-Star Weekend.

x.com

One Eastern executive with knowledge of how the conversation went from Atlanta’s perspective described a perplexing scene. When Senior Vice President Troy Weaver made the call to Atlanta’s Bryson Graham, Graham couldn’t believe what was actually being offered. Graham asked for clarification multiple times to confirm the unprotected pick was indeed part of the deal. It got to the point where Hawks General Manager, Onsi Saleh, called Joe Dumars directly to confirm for himself. The Hawks waited nervously for Dumars to confirm, hoping he would not realize what was going on and walk the trade back. But the Pelicans persisted and the Hawks got their steal.

In the NO

"The Trae Young thing was fascinating, because there were some people who, around the edges, were hoping that a Trae Young for Zach LaVine-type trade might happen with Atlanta. And the Kings had no interest in that, largely because they're not looking to have the head of the snake be that weak defensively."

YouTube

This marks the second consecutive strong offseason for Atlanta, whose direction crystallized around Young with these moves. But will they keep him long term? Starting on July 6, Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension that would take him into his 30s. He is entering the last guaranteed year of his contract, with a player option for the 2026-27 season. Considering how well Daniels, Risacher and Johnson play off a primary creator, this version of the Hawks will need a point guard to be the focal point of everything. Young led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game, but also embraced playing off the ball more than ever so the team could play more decisively uptempo in transition. Few players in the league are a better fit.

New York Times

Chris Haynes: Hawks star Trae Young was very vocal and active in recruiting Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta, sources tell me. He was heavily involved in the process to lure one of the top wing free agents on the market.

x.com

Shams Charania: Atlanta is sending a 2027 second-round pick via Cleveland and cash to Minnesota to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker via sign-and-trade for four years and $62 million, sources said.

x.com

Jake Fischer: Atlanta and Minnesota are in active conversations on a sign-and-trade for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, sources say.

x.com

The Hawks and Nuggets, sources say, also have interest in Kennard. Atlanta landing both Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker would mark noted boosts to its wing rotation.

marcstein.substack.com