The stage is set for the Atlanta Hawks to defy convention this offseason. Faced with a false dichotomy – figuring out how to make their star backcourt work or break it up – they could go against the grain and practice patience.
It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. They have held on to several of their own players long beyond the time to move on in the past. Never have the stakes been so high, though, especially for a regime that has been mired in turmoil since its inception ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Of course, the expectation remains the Hawks will choose the more beaten path.
There are ample suggestions for that route, with many resulting in a lateral move for the Hawks if not an outright step back. That would be against their plans according to General Manager Landry Fields.
Some ideas attempt to straddle both ideals – something that helps the Hawks now and won’t hamstring them in the future, possibly adding to their flexibility.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale offers up this hypothetical trade suggestion for Dejounte Murray.
“One of Murray or Trae Young has to go for the Hawks,” Favale wrote on April 27. “The latter should yield more value but is also much more likely to send Atlanta into a full-tilt rebuild—something it won't be too keen on with San Antonio controlling its draft picks in 2025, 2026 (swap) and 2027.”
“This return helps preserve the Hawks' immediate aspirations while ratcheting up its defensive personnel.”
“Black remains an offensive project who must prove he can bang in jumpers,” Favale wrote. “Isaac is forever a health risk whose minutes must be managed.
“The No. 18 pick pairs nicely with the Hawks' 10th overall selection.”
Black was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He averaged fewer than 17 minutes this season, averaging 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His potential fit alongside Trae Young as a starter or Coby Bufkin as a backup is unclear.
He shot 39.4% from downtown last season, but it came on just 1.4 attempts per game.
Isaac was the No. 6 pick in 2017, and he has battled through various lower body injuries. He returned from a two-year absence due to injuries last season, appearing in 11 games.
Isaac made 58 appearances last season, the second most of his career. He is also a unique player at 6-foot-10, shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc while also playing strong perimeter defense which should be a focus for the Hawks.
Favale argues that Isaac’s expiring contract also helps.
The real target in this deal would be the draft capital and, with that pick slotting in outside of the lottery, the Hawks might not be getting enough back to pull the trigger on a package like this.
Grade: C+: Not enough coming back even without considering the division rival aspect