The Atlanta Hawks are in the summer of reckoning. They have their star in Trae Young, but behind him, there are plenty of question marks.
Travis Schlenk and company opted to run it back with hopes of building off the success from the run to the Eastern Conference Finals, but that didn't come to fruition after a 4-1 elimination at the hands of the top-seeded Miami Heat.
Nick Kayal wants moves to be made and he wants them to be made as soon as possible. Rumors have been floating around the NBA that there is interest in Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton, and Kayal is all in on this idea.
"I would love to see this happen," Kayal said. "Travis Schlenk, go get DeAndre Ayton from Phoenix."
The former number one overall pick is approaching a new contract and he is hoping to receive maximum money - that's five years, $177 million. On top of that, the Hawks would likely have to do some form of a sign-and-trade with the Suns to make that happen. Nick Kayal, is still all in.
"If I'm the Atlanta Hawks, I go out and get DeAndre Ayton," he exclaimed. "And I feel very good in doing so."
There have been questions surrounding the 23-year-old center in regards to consistent effort and his questionable relationship with Suns head coach Monty Williams. The talent, however, is undeniable. He's a 7-footer with a refined jump shot that executives crave. Ayton hasn't entered the prime of his career, either, but he averaged a strong line of 17 points and 10 rebounds per game on 63 percent from the field.
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Kayal is adamant that Ayton would be a significant upgrade for Atlanta. "DeAndre Ayton would be a true second player that you can bank on next to Trae Young," he said. "He's essentially a significant upgrade over Clint Capela."
Ultimately, he is not the final piece of the puzzle for the Hawks, but to Kayal he is a step in the right direction.