Hawks Rumors: Jaylen Brown, Domantas Sabonis Targeted Pre-Contract Extensions

Before Jaylen Brown and Domantas Sabonis signed contract extensions with their current teams, the Atlanta Hawks were keeping an eye on both players in case they became available. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Hawks would have targeted either Brown or Sabonis next summer as restricted free agents. 

It's notable that the Hawks seemed ready to wait for Sabonis in restricted free agency. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported on Oct. 18 that Indiana was "engaged in active trade talks" when it seemed like an extension with the 23-year-old wasn't going to happen. 

Amick did note "several teams" were involved in those discussions with the Pacers, but none of them were specifically mentioned. 

Per Spotrac, the Hawks currently have $33.4 million in salary commitments next season. That would leave them with roughly $83 million in cap space based on the NBA's 2019-20 projections, per Charania. 

The Pacers and Boston Celtics turned this into a moot point by working out long-term extensions with Sabonis and Brown, repspectively, prior to the Oct. 21 deadline. 

Brown received a four-year deal worth a guaranteed $103 million and an additional $12 million in incentives from Boston. Sabonis will get $77 million over four years from the Pacers. 

The Hawks have built one of the NBA's most exciting young rosters, led by Trae Young and John Collins. They still have pieces in place to emerge as a playoff contender soon, but adding either Brown or Sabonis to that group would have helped expedite the process.