Proposed Hawks trade would give Hawks Spurs’ backup backcourt
Buckely’s other hypothetical scenario considers the Hawks land the No. 1 overall pick for Young, making a deal to pair the dynamic point guard with 2023 No. 1 overall pick and reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs were said to have an interest in re-acquiring Murray at this year’s deadline, which the player said he appreciated.
But as Buckley noted, the Hawks would be hard-pressed to land such a return for Murray.
“If the Spurs land the No. 1 pick for the second consecutive year, there will be some temptation to expand their young core around Victor Wembanyama. Yet, the 20-year-old face of the franchise may not want to wait around for that prospect to develop,” Buckley wrote.
“If San Antonio wants to gain entry into the West's crowded playoff race, it needs to find some top-tier talent. Trae Young certainly fits the bill (and he's on the radar, too).”
The Spurs have a 10.5% chance at landing the No. 1 pick, per Tankathon.
But there is a bigger question about this hypothetical scenario. If the Spurs are willing to trade out of the No. 1 pick at all – regardless of Wembayama’s sentiments – is it as worthwhile of a return as it might be in other years with strong classes?
“This is an absolutely awful draft,” an anonymous general manager said, per Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman on April 19. There’s no guy that projects as a franchise player, no one that even stands out as the No. 1 pick. This is the type of draft that gets someone fired if they get the No. 1 pick.”
That might not be the kind of endeavor Hawks general manager Landry Fields and Co. are looking to embark on at this juncture.
The players that would come back are useful, but not needle-movers.
Grade - C+: This would be great in another draft, though it might not be available in that situation. Otherwise, it’s banking on a widely panned draft and a solid role player in Johnson.