Atlanta Hawks Rumors: Andre Drummond is a top free-agent target, Hawks interested in Davis Bertans and more

Despite renewed optimism heading into the 2019-20 season, the Atlanta Hawks are once again enduring another bitterly disappointing campaign. With just over half of the season played, the Hawks sit bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with an 11-35 record, and they will miss out on the postseason for the third consecutive year.

Nevertheless, the front office remains determined to quickly build a contending team around the emerging Trae Young, and the Hawks have already completed a trade for Jeff Teague this month. More deals could follow in the days building up to the trade deadline, and here we will take a look at all the latest Atlanta rumors you need to know.

#1 Andre Drummond is a top free-agent target

Andre Drummond has been linked with a trade away from the Detroit Pistons

Adding a new center remains a priority for the Hawks, and reports earlier this month suggested that the team was engaged in trade talks with the Detroit Pistons over a potential deal for Andre Drummond. In response to this, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports is reporting that talks over bringing Drummond to Atlanta ahead of the trade deadline have ended - although the front office has made the 26-year-old one of their principal free-agent targets:

But Atlanta is seeking to remain patient, knowing there will be options to improve via the draft and during free agency, sources said... Drummond is expected to be one of their top targets in free agency, sources said.

Drummond has spent his entire career to date with the Pistons, and the center has been named as an All-Star in two of the past three seasons. However, he is expected to opt-out of the final year of his contract to test his value in free agency, and he could draw plenty of interest due to the lack of talent available this summer.

#2 Atlanta among several teams interested in signing Davis Bertans

Davis Bertans is enjoying an excellent season with the Wizards

When the San Antonio Spurs traded Davis Bertans to the Washington Wizards last summer, few believed that the 27-year-old would turn out to be one of the best signings of the season. However, alongside, Bradley Beal, Bertans has been the standout performer on a struggling Wizards team, and the Latvian is statistically among the best three shooters in the NBA.

Bertans is set to hit free agency this summer, and Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Hawks are among several teams interested in completing a trade for the wing:

The argument for trading him is that the Wizards can lose him for nothing. Bertans will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and the Wizards—or whatever team acquires him—will have his Bird rights... The Hawks, Lakers, and Nuggets have also reportedly expressed interest.

Bertans has played 35 times during the first half of the season, averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. However, the Wizards reportedly remain reluctant to trade him - and the Hawks face an uphill battle to secure his signature ahead of the trade deadline.

#3 Spurs' Jakob Poeltl could become a trade target

Jakob Poeltl's impact has been minimal since his move to the Spurs in 2018

Jakob Poeltl was traded to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to Toronto back in 2018. Since joining the Spurs, Poeltl's minutes from the bench have been steady, although he doesn't appear to be vital to the future of the franchise, and it possible that the Spurs would be open to trading the 24-year-old.

As the Hawks continue their search to sign bigs, Michael Scotto of Bleacher Report is reporting that Poelt is a target after the team opted against making a move for Dewayne Dedmon.

Atlanta was interested in reacquiring Dedmon in a potential salary dump for Sacramento after he publicly demanded a trade from the Kings after being benched. The Hawks also expressed trade interest in Spurs center Jakob Poeltl earlier this season, Bleacher Report has learned.

Poeltl has made 44 appearances (7 starts) for the Spurs this season, averaging 4.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.