The Hawks were the most likely trade destination for the six-time All-Star

The Atlanta Hawks are not one of the teams that are considered powerhouses in the Eastern Conference. But they believe they are an under-the-radar threat after an offseason of significant changes.

A slow start could lead to further changes. But would a quick start convert them into buyers?

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale listed Atlanta as a “surprising” potential landing spot for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler and said, “How about the Hawks?”

“Jimmy Butler did not sign a contract extension with the Miami Heat in the offseason and has a player option for 2025-26,” Favale wrote on Sept. 27. “Maybe, just maybe, Miami's current window has expired and the front office is considering taking a larger approach.”

“Miami may insist on bringing in Zaccharie Risacher or Jalen Johnson. Atlanta should draw a line in the sand. Butler just turned 35 and his contract is about to expire. The influence of heat is limited. Getting a handful of digestible contracts, players like Onyeka Okongwu (who can be used again since Miami has Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware), Dyson Daniels and Kobe Bufkin, and multiple firsts is a realistic return.”

Favale noted that the Hawks didn't have control of their first-round picks.

That could explain the prospect-laden offering, which includes Okongwu, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Daniels, who they acquired in the Dejounte Murray trade.

The Hawks got back first-rounders from the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans as part of that deal and could look to bring them in instead of the players Favale mentioned. But Miami is not a rebuilding organization, so immediate help makes more sense for them.

Butler is older than the players the Hawks added in the offseason. And there are questions about his suitability alongside Trae Young.

However, Butler's skillset enabled him to realize what the Hawks were hoping for when they traded for Murray.

“Whether Butler turns Atlanta into a quasi-contender is another matter. The same goes for the way his vicious competitiveness meshes with Trae Young. But there is no doubt that the two fit together brilliantly on the pitch,” Favale wrote.

“Young has more off-ball opportunities than he has consistently shown, and Butler is someone to whom it makes sense to relinquish some of the offensive control. Between Risacher, Butler himself, Vit Krejčí and possibly Daniels, the Hawks would also have a number of pretty intriguing defensive combinations around their floor general.”

The Hawks value Daniels and what he can add alongside Young. While Butler may have some spacing issues, he shot a career-high 41.4% from deep in the 2023-24 season.

An alternative like this hypothetical offer might appeal to the Hawks, especially if they send draft picks.

This trade would still cost the Hawks draft picks and may cost more than if they included Daniels. However, they would also lose the remaining three years of De'Andre Hunter's four-year, $90 million contract.

Hunter was a potential trade candidate, while Nance has already drawn trade interest since joining the Hawks as part of the Murray deal.

Okongwu would probably be the toughest loss.

His move would leave the Hawks with two older players at center in Clint Capela and Cody Zeller, leaving only the undersized David Roddy and the unproven Mouhamed Gueye behind Johnson at power forward.

The Hawks view positions 2 through 4 as interchangeable. But they still need some size down below, and acquiring Butler could definitely cost them dearly in that regard.

Then there is his contract situation. This all illustrates why he and the Hawks are an unlikely pairing.