Atlanta, GA
New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Brandon Ingram To Atlanta, Deandre Ayton to New Orleans
The Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans have already made one big trade this offseason when the Hawks sent guard Dejounte Murray to New Orleans for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance, E.J Liddell, Cody Zeller, and two first-round picks.
After the trade though, it still feels like both teams are incomplete. The Hawks have done a nice job of restructuring things around Trae Young, but they could still use another playmaker next to him. While the Pelicans now have a point guard to lead the offense, they don’t have a starting caliber center.
There could be a potential three-team deal that makes these two teams better, while also helping a team that is in the midst of a long rebuild.
Portland is in an interesting spot right now. They are clearly not ready to challenge for the playoffs, but they have a weirdly constructed roster and some veterans that are good players such as Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, and Anfernee Simons. There have been rumors surrounding Grant and Simons and it would not surprise anyone if one or both of them was traded.
It was reported by Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian on July 30th that the Blazers are likely to move one of Simons or forward Jerami Grant. During his appearance on Sactown Sports 1140, Fentress had this to say:
“I would be surprised if Jerami Grant or Anfernee Simons, if one of the two is not moved. I was told that that’s definitely the goal, that one of the two would probably be gone before training camp. Both being gone? That might be different. They obviously have time. They can wait until the trade deadline and see if someone else will offer more.”
With the Blazers drafting Donovan Clingan, that has them left with a crowded center room with Ayton, Clingan, and Robert Williams. It does not seem tenable for all three to remain on the team moving forward, with Clingan likely the center of the future.
What about a three-team trade that could benefit all three teams mentioned here?
It should be noted that this is just a speculative and fun exercise to see what kind of moves can be made, not what I think the Hawks should do or will do. That is all.
Here is the trade.
Atlanta Hawks receive: Brandon Ingram and Robert Williams
New Orleans Receives: Deandre Ayton
Portland Receives: Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter, Garrison Matthews, 2026 1st round swap rights with Milwaukee (via New Orleans), and 2029 top eight protected 1st round pick (Via New Orleans)
Why Atlanta does this trade: Ingram would be a good fit with Trae Young and gives them a secondary shot creator with size. While Ingram does not shoot a lot of threes he would take some pressure off of Young and is a really good scorer. Williams is injured often, but is on a cheap deal and is one of the best defenders in the NBA when healthy. He could provide depth behind Onyeka Okongwu and bolster the Hawks’ defense when healthy. Atlanta stays under the luxury tax (barely) with this move. If Williams is not healthy, they still have Larry Nance to be the backup center. Hawks move off of De’Andre Hunter’s contract.
Why Atlanta does not do this trade: Ingram is up for a contract extension and he wants a max deal. There has been reporting that Atlanta is not interested in giving Ingram massive money. Could Atlanta try and get him to take a cheaper deal in the $175 or 180 Million range? That is the only reason I think Atlanta takes Ingram on. Williams is a huge health risk is well, even if he is on a cheap deal.
Why New Orleans does this trade: Ayton gives the Pelicans a starting center and one that flashes high-upside at times. While Ayton is on a big contract, he shows eilte ability from time-to-time. He could fit with Zion Williamson, Murray, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy to help New Orleans contend in the Western Conference. They still have plenty of picks for the future. They also stay under the luxury tax.
Why New Orleans does not do this trade: Ayton is an enigma of a player. He shows why he was the No. 1 pick in 2018, but he is not consistent and is paid a lot of money. Would New Orleans want to make an investment in someone who might not show up in the biggest moments and consistently throughout the season?
Why Portland does this: They move off of Ayton’s money and the draft picks. Capela can be a one year starter while Clingan comes along, Hunter becomes the best perimeter defender on the team and is still a young player who could help, and Matthews adds shooting. The picks are the big things coming back in the trade.
Why Portland does not do this trade: While Ayton makes a lot of money, he is a good player and this might not be the return Portland wants. I do think they benefit the most in this deal.
Is this deal likely? No. Atlanta has not shown the level of interest you would expect and there have not been many rumors surrounding Ayton. Still, Ingram helps Atlanta make a playoff push and without their own picks for the next three years, that would be big. New Orleans gets the starting center that they really need, and Portland gets more assets for the future.
This extension reportedly replaces the franchise tag Pitts signed earlier this spring, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Per the report, Pitts will not play on the $15 million franchise tag and instead receive the $36 million fully guaranteed on the new deal over the next two seasons.
The No. 4 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Pitts had a resurgent year in 2025 and showcased the playmaking abilities that made him such an enticing prospect. He caught a career-high 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns, his most as a pro. Atlanta placed the franchise tag on Pitts earlier this offseason, ensuring he remained a Falcon for the 2026 season.
“They trusted that they see something in (me), and that’s pretty cool to see,” Pitts said of the franchise tag during OTAs. “It’s a new year. It’s already signed, and it’s going to be a good year.”
With an extension reportedly in place, Pitts is part of the team’s future for years to come.
Pitts turns 26 next season and is entering his first year working with head coach Kevin Stefanski, who got strong production from the tight end position while coaching the Cleveland Browns. That was particularly true of David Njoku, who has some similarities to Pitts. However, Pitts gives Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees a weapon unlike any they’ve had.
The early reviews through OTAs and mandatory minicamp have been strong for Pitts. The new staff has praised Pitts’ buy-in with their program and the effort he’s shown both on and off the field.
“Kyle’s, again, a guy that is here working like crazy. Takes coaching,” Stefanski said during OTAs. “The physical skill set is obvious when Kyle’s on the field, with how big he is and how he moves. But I’ve been impressed with what we’re asking him to do, a couple new things for him. As your players continue on in their career, you want to find out more, what else is in there and what else can we do, and what can we help you with? So I think Kyle’s been outstanding in that regard of trying to continue to get better in so many areas.”
At his best, he offers the kind of matchup maneuverability that ignites an offensive coordinator’s imagination. That ability was most clearly on display in the Falcons’ thrilling 29-28 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football in Week 15 last season. As the focal point of Atlanta’s offense, Pitts caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
“I love the position because of the versatility that it provides an offense,” Stefanski said. “And you’ve seen it around the league. This is nothing new or Earth-shattering, but tight ends that can line up all over make life hard on a defense. Whether you can line them up outside, in the backfield, in line, you name it, we love versatility at that position.”
As a rookie, Pitts burst onto the scene and finished the 2021 season with the second-most yards ever by a rookie tight end. His second year was cut short by a knee injury, the impact of which carried throughout the 2023 season as well. With the injuries and changes at the quarterback position since his arrival, consistency has been a focus for Pitts.
Despite those factors, Pitts has gained the third-most receiving yards by a tight end since he entered the league. He has averaged 12.6 yards per reception, which ranks fourth among his position, and has caught 15 touchdowns. Notably, he has improved in that metric with each successive season.
This report comes soon after wide receiver Drake London signed a new extension with the organization, keeping one of the best young outside weapons in the NFL on the roster. With Pitts now reportedly in the fold with a new extension and Bijan Robinson entering his fourth year, the Falcons will continue to have a trio of dynamic playmakers on offense.
A second-team All-Pro in 2025, the arrow is pointing up for Pitts. He is currently 13th on that Falcons’ all-time receiving yards list and has the fourth-most career yards by an Atlanta tight end. With 650 yards next season, Pitts will climb to second on the career yardage list for Falcons tight ends. If he repeats what he did last year, Pitts will not only take over the top spot, surpassing the great Jim Mitchell, but he will climb to sixth on the Falcons’ all-time receiving list, regardless of position.
“I think Kyle is going to be a big piece of this thing,” Falcons passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand said of Pitts. “He had huge production last year. He’s clearly one of the top guys in the league at that spot. Hopefully, we see a lot more of what we saw last year out of him, and he can continue on that upward trend.”
Atlanta, GA
Summerhill residents oppose plan to move Atlanta Olympic cauldron, citing community history and legacy
A proposal to move Atlanta’s Olympic cauldron from Summerhill to Centennial Olympic Park is drawing opposition from residents and community leaders who say the landmark represents more than just the 1996 Olympic Games — it is also a symbol of the neighborhood’s history and identity.
Dozens gathered Monday evening in Summerhill to protest plans to relocate the top portion of the Olympic Flame Tower, known as the cauldron, from its current location near Center Parc Stadium. The effort comes after Georgia State University announced a partnership with Olympic leaders, including Billy Payne and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, to move the cauldron while leaving the tower and Olympic rings bridge in place.
In a written statement, Georgia State said the project would help preserve Atlanta’s Olympic legacy while maintaining a connection to the Summerhill community.
For Sheryl Calhoun, however, the debate is deeply personal.
“It’s something that my mom was a part of,” Calhoun said. “So by means of it being here, it keeps her living in here.”
Calhoun’s mother, Mattie Ansley Jackson, spent decades advocating for residents living around the former Olympic Stadium. According to her daughter, Jackson worked on issues ranging from housing and employment to broader neighborhood development efforts.
“She helped the community,” Calhoun said. “She played a big part with summer jobs, housing, unemployment, making sure the community was okay.”
Jackson also carried the Olympic torch during the 1996 Games and remained proud of the cauldron’s presence in the neighborhood, Calhoun said.
“My mom loved this torch,” she said.
Community leaders say their primary concern is not necessarily the relocation itself, but how the decision was made.
“Georgia State called some of the community stakeholders to have a conversation about it and basically just told us what was going to happen,” said Sharon Pitchford, executive director of the Summerhill Neighborhood Development Corporation.
Pitchford said many residents view the cauldron as a lasting symbol of both the Olympic Games and Summerhill’s own story.
“It is literally infused in the culture of the area,” Pitchford said.
The controversy has also revived memories of previous development battles in the neighborhood. Calhoun said her mother spent years fighting to remain in her home as the area surrounding the former Olympic Stadium underwent significant changes. According to the family, Jackson was ultimately allowed to stay in the home for the remainder of her life.
Jackson died in 2020 at the age of 98. Today, the lot where her home once stood is under construction.
Calhoun said relocating the cauldron would feel like losing another piece of her mother’s legacy.
“They taken a piece of my mother,” she said. “They’re taking a piece of one in this community like that here and left.”
Georgia State declined an interview request from CBS News Atlanta and referred the station to its written statement announcing the relocation plans. The university said the tower and Olympic rings bridge would remain in Summerhill even if the cauldron is moved.
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