Southeast Rumors: Hawks, Durant, Heat, Wizards

In our Tuesday round-up of the latest Kevin Durant-related free agency rumors, we passed along a list of 10 teams – including the Thunder – who will likely attempt to land Durant if given the chance this summer. Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds another club to that list, writing that the Hawks – and owner Tony Ressler – are expected to make “a strong push” for the perennial All-Star.

Of course, Schultz himself acknowledges that Atlanta’s odds of landing Durant are extremely slim, suggesting that a return to Oklahoma City is the likeliest scenario for the 27-year-old. But until Durant officially puts pen to paper and signs a new contract, teams around the NBA will prepare their strongest pitches for him, and the Hawks haven’t yet given up hope.

Here’s more from around the NBA’s Southeast division:

• Within his latest mailbag, Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel examines whether the Heat will be able to recruit a top free agent to a roster that may lack Chris Bosh. If Bosh is unable to play next season, it would limit Miami’s cap flexibility and would likely make the team less appealing to free agents.
• J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com doesn’t view any of the Raptors’ pending free agents as ideal fits for the Wizards, but suggests that a less expensive big man with a skill set similar to Bismack Biyombo‘s would be perfect for Washington.
• Former Stony Brook forward Jameel Warney will be among the prospects working out for the Wizards today, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.