Kofi Inkoom
The Atlanta Hawks unexpectedly secured the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, despite having low odds. This has sparked rumors about potential major changes to their roster for next season.
Bill Simmons of The Ringer speculates that the Hawks might trade Trae Young and Dejounte Murray to start a complete rebuild, as the partnership between Young and Murray hasn’t delivered the expected results.
“Some people seem to think both of those guys are getting traded is a thing I’ve heard…From different people that don’t know each other, who know things, [they said that the Hawks are] just like, ‘You know what, we’ve got the number one pick, this didn’t work, we got to the Conference Finals that one time, let’s just try to blow this up.’” Simon’s said.
Young and Murray have played together for two seasons but have failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs, not even making the first round this year. Theo Hawks were knocked out in the first round of the 2023 playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
Dejounte Murray played 78 games this season, averaging 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, with shooting percentages of 45.9% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range, and 79.4% from the free-throw line.
Trae Young, on the other hand, averaged 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 10.8 assists in 54 games, shooting 43.0% from the field, 37.3% from three-point range, and 85.5% from the free-throw line. He recorded 37 double-doubles.
In July 2023, the Hawks signed Murray to a four-year, $114 million extension, with him set to earn $24.8 million next season. Young, who switched from Klutch Sports Group to CAA, signed a five-year, $215 million extension in August 2021 and is set to make $43 million next season.
Both players have attracted interest from other teams, including the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers. Murray is considered to have higher trade value due to his superior defensive skills. Bill further speculates that, the Miami Heat are a great fit for Young.
“If you’re Miami, you keep Butler. You have Bam, Trae, and Heat Culture—just the kind of guy who is a warrior. It would just seem like the kind of trade I’d be like, oh man, and then the more I look at him, I’m like, oh [expletive], that might actually have been a good trade for them. I don’t know why, but I like him in Miami for some reason.” He said.
The Hawks’ strategy for the upcoming offseason will be closely watched, especially after their unexpected lottery win.
Murray’s career averages stand at 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals, while Young’s career averages are 25.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 1.0 steals.