The Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans just can't get enough of each other, apparently.
After agreeing on several controversial deals over the last few seasons, there's a chance they'll be right back at it. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hawks have "always monitored the trade market on Murphy" and are among the teams currently "in the mix" for him.
Murphy III, 26, would make all the sense in the world alongside this bright young core in Atlanta, but acquiring him won't be any simple task. New Orleans doesn't want to get fleeced by Atlanta again. Onsi Saleh would likely have to part with a significant draft asset.
Hawks can put Pelicans back in a prime spot by dealing 2027 pick
Taking it back to two offseasons ago - when the Pelicans traded young, defensive-standout guard Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and two first-round picks in exchange for Dejounte Murray - one of the picks involved was the one that just landed them Kingston Flemings, and the next is set to land them another quality prospect in 2027.
Unless both the Pelicans and Bucks finish in the top-four of the draft lottery after next season - which could very well happen - the Hawks will be making the less-favorable of the two selections.
Well, they're set to now, at least. If Atlanta were to send this pick back to New Orleans, and maybe an additional player such as Jonathan Kuminga or Zaccharie Risacher, they would instantly own both of those picks, no matter where they land.
For a presumably rebuilding franchise, the idea of owning two high first-round picks in the 2027 NBA Draft is mighty intriguing. That would be difficult to part with, in the eyes of the Hawks, but it would ultimately be worth it, as Murphy III is a quality two-way forward.
This would be one of those rare mutually-beneficial deals
The Hawks and Pelicans certainly don't have a history of those, either. Not only did they part with Dyson Daniels and two valuable first-round picks for Dejounte Murray, but they then followed it up the very next offseason by trading Asa Newell, and the pick that ended up being Kingston Flemings, in exchange for Derik Queen.
There's legitimate reason to believe they wouldn't want to strike a deal with Atlanta again, but the NBA is a business, after all, and it wouldn't be wise to dwell on mistakes of the past when there's a great chance to improve the franchise's outlook.
No other team could offer them a pick as valuable, and it should be their top-coveted asset in any Trey Murphy III talks.
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