4 Reasons why the Hawks should not trade Trae Young or Dejounte Murray
History says the Hawks will not get enough value to compete
Trading one of their two stars signals desperation for the Hawks. That is not inherently a bad thing. But it does put them at a disadvantage at the negotiating table. Every reason they have to explore trade options could work against them.
Young potential fit on a true contender as a small, ball-dominant guard. Murray’s admitted lack of a track record as a true lead guard as well as team success.
Both will come up as teams try to bid the Hawks down.
The anticipated interest in both will help with that to some degree. But the Hawks’ track record – and that in similar past deals – also suggests the Hawks would be better off at holding off rather than dumping one of the two stars.
Their return for Collins was Rudy Gay – who was traded soon after – and a conditional second-round pick. The pick is from the Memphis Grizzlies.
They also got a $25.3 million trade exception ($23 million remaining) that expires in early July.
Hawks ‘blew’ offseason after ‘huge disappointment’, analyst says. dark. Related. Hawks blew John Collins trade
The Hawks received a conditional first-rounder from the Sacramento Kings for Kevin Huerter which the Kings kept after failing to make the playoffs and landing in the lottery this season. It will now convey in 2025 so long as their pick does not fall in the top 12.
The pick is protected for the top 10 in 2026 at which point it will turn into a pair of second-rounders.
They used the conditional first-round pick from trading Reddish to acquire Murray.
In all, the Hawks sent four picks and veteran Danilo Gallinari to the San Antonio Spurs for Murray in 2022. They are unlikely to receive commensurate value in a trade sending Murray out even with his strong individual feats last season.
Likewise, Young’s polarizing reputation as evidenced by the discourse around him could also make it difficult to get proper value back for the face of the franchise.
The reasons to move on from the duo are plentiful.
But the arguments against doing so are also significant. And with such a potentially monumental decision on his hands, Fields might be wise to practice the same prudence we have seen from some of his peers. The Mavs did. There are numbers to support it. And Fields seems open to it.
feed