The Atlanta Hawks were among the biggest winners from round one of the 2025 NBA Draft. They traded down with the Pelicans to take Asa Newell at pick No. 23 overall and managed to net an unprotected 2026 first-round pick in the process.
Like several teams, though, the Hawks are still paying for their decision to trade for a disgruntled star. In this case, it's Dejounte Murray, who only lasted two seasons in Atlanta before he was rerouted to the aforementioned Pelicans.
The Hawks actually fared well in that trade, but fans undoubtedly cringed after the Spurs selected University of Arizona forward Carter Bryant with the No. 14 overall pick, which Atlanta gave up to acquire Murray back in 2022. Carter is considered one of the biggest steals from round one.
Hawks still feeling the sting from trading for Dejounte Murray three years ago
Let's take a look at the updated details from the Murray trade
- Hawks get: Dejounte Murray, Jock Landale
- Spurs get: Danilo Gallinari, 2023 protected first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick (Bryant), 2026 pick swap, 2027 first-round pick
The 2023 protected first-round pick never converted, so it turned into a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 second-rounder. The Spurs included both of those picks in their trade for De'Aaron Fox this past season. So, that 2023 protected first essentially turned into draft ammo to throw into the Fox trade. Ipso facto, the Hawks helped San Antonio net Fox by acquiring Murray.
In a vacuum, trading for Murray was a disaster for Atlanta. It initially looked the part of a promising experiment. Murray posted a career-high 22.5 points in 2023-24 and set a new personal best with 201 made threes. However, he never provided the defensive spark that Atlanta expected.
The Hawks' team defense was a mess even with Murray playing next to the defensively-limited Trae Young. While Murray's box score looked nice night in and night out, Atlanta finished 41-41 in their first season with Murray and 36-46 in his second year.
The silver lining? The Hawks recouped two of the four firsts they used to get Murray and got Dyson Daniels in return from the Pelicans. Daniels has blossomed into one of the NBA's premier on-ball defenders and is fresh off winning the Most Improved Player award and leading the NBA in steals.
Atlanta righted the ship quickly after jettisoning Murray, but Hawks fans still have another two years before the trade gets finalized.