Grade the trade: Proposed Hawks trade lands $40 million trio from West rival

Hawks move face of franchise for trio of likely backup in trade proposal

A Murray-Vincent backcourt could face many of the same issues as the Hawks’ current configuration, despite the potential pairing offering a bit more defense.

The Hawks also drafted Kobe Bufkin with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, lessening the need for Vicent even further. Bogdan Bogdanovic offers the same skill set as Reaves in a more familiar, albeit older package.

This trade would move the face of the Hawks franchise for a trio of likely backups.

With the draft capital coming back several years out, it becomes even harder to justify making this move barring a request to be traded from Young.

Even then, the Hawks can likely fetch a return that boosts the starting lineup. The biggest benefit would be saving $2.1 million on the bottom line moving Young's $43 million salary for the Lakers group that will cost $40.9 million next season; a pittance in such a potentially monumental decision.

Young is not pushing for a trade. He wants the Hawks to win as soon as possible.

Trading a star who is dynamic on the court and heavily involved in the community is a tough sell for veteran front offices with strong track records.

The Hawks have also chosen finances over improvement in recent trades, putting even greater emphasis on getting their next deal – be it for Young, Murray, or the No. 1 overall pick – right lest they find themselves in a similar position a year from now.

The Hawks also don't have to do anything with Young just yet.

That Young can opt out of his five-year, $215.1 million contract after the 2025-26 season is the only motivating timeline.

Grade – D: There isn’t enough immediate help to justify moving the face of the franchise in a move such as this.