With All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Paul George in trade rumors and uncertainty clouding teams like the Cavaliers and Clippers, there are many unknowns heading into Thursday’s NBA draft and the start of free agency July 1.

But Hawks swingman Kent Bazemore wants to put the NBA on notice and let all unhappy players know that they can have a home in Atlanta if they want one.

Bazemore, who had an underwhelming season after a breakout campaign in 2015-16, is now the highest paid player on the Hawks after the Dwight Howard trade on Tuesday night. Paul Millsap could take that title back, but Atlanta isn't expected to match the possible max offers he receives from other teams.

Fans had mixed reactions to Bazemore’s personal form of recruiting.

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Kirby Smart (left) and Georgia beat Brent Key and Georgia Tech 44-42 in eight overtimes last November in Athens. The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets bring Clean Old-Fashioned Hate off campus for 2025, playing at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2024)

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

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