4 Hawks who definitely won't be back, 4 who shouldn't return next season
By Tyler Watts
Won’t be back: Dejounte Murray
The Hawks dangled Murray on the trade block before the deadline, and it is time to split up their All-Star backcourt. In two years, Atlanta has gone 55-62 when they both play. The Hawks were 41-41 last season and lost to the Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs. Things got worse in year two and the only option is to move on.
Murray averaged a career-high 22.5 points per game this season, but he was not maximized playing next to Ice Trae. He had to share the ball-handling duties and had more defensive responsibility. It led to fewer assists and steals along with a significant drop in his defensive efficiency.
Atlanta paid a massive price to get Murray in 2022. He was coming off his lone All-Star season in San Antonio, and the Hawks will not be able to recoup that price. Running out Murray and Young will result in more losses, so it is time to rip off the Band-Aid and move on.
The Hawks would prefer to trade Dejounte Murray and keep Trae Young, but nobody should be safe if Atlanta has true championship aspirations. Dealing Murray is a start, but cannot be the team’s only move if they want to vault up the standings.