"It's unclear what Crawford really thinks is apt to happen if he does deliver a pay-me-more-or-trade-me-now demand. Because the Hawks aren't apt to pay anyone more. Public statements notwithstanding, the Atlanta Spirit seems uninterested in paying one in-the-red cent of luxury tax. Beyond that, there's a more pressing matter: What to do with Al Horford, who means even more to this franchise?

Horford can become a restricted free agent at season's end. The Hawks would prefer he not test the market because they know full well he'd be coveted from sea to shining sea. "