The Atlanta Hawks are betting big that De’Andre Hunter can be the three they need next to an All-Star backcourt of Trae Young and DeJounte Murray.
Just before the 6 p.m. Eastern deadline on Monday, Atlanta agreed to terms on a four-year, $90 million contract extension with Hunter, a story broken by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and soon confirmed by the team.
At the 6 PM ET buzzer: Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter has agreed on a four-year, $95 million contract extension, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of @Wassbasketball tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/mDm6hZTosm
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2022
The contract is for $90 million guaranteed with up to $5 million in unlikely incentives.
The Hunter extension starts at $20.09M and increases each season.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 18, 2022
$1.25M in unlikely bonuses in each season.
7 out of the 11 players have incentives built in their contract.
The 3 max players have All-NBA language for this season. https://t.co/rjQy87Ak1I
It’s the contract Hunter wanted, but it raised eyebrows around the league as a big number, considering Hunter’s contributions. He’s the best three on the Hawks roster, but now they need him to be consistent in that role. He averaged 13.4 points and 3.3 rebounds a game last season, shooting 37.9% from 3. However, Hunter wasn’t efficient overall, and the Hawks had a -1.6 net rating when he was on the court last season — and he struggled a lot more in the postseason.
The Hawks have locked up their core now of Young, Murray, John Collins and Hunter. This roster looks good on paper, but it will be challenged in a very deep and unforgiving East.