3-team offseason trade proposal reshapes Hawks around All-Star
This blockbuster offseason trade proposal would remake the Atlanta Hawks and create one of the most dynamic duos the league has ever seen.
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has missed 13 straight games following finger surgery and remains without a firm date to return to the court.
In that time, the Hawks have gone 6-7. They have been fortunate to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference standings. But with that place being ninth – and foreshadowing another trip to the Play-In Tournament – a shakeup could be in order this offseason.
They were certainly mired in rumors suggesting they would explore all possibilities.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus suggests a hypothetical three-team deal that sneds three-time All-Star Trae Young to the San Antonio Spurs and builds around Dejounte Murray, who was an All-Star in 2022.
“The Hawks just aren't a good enough team as constructed,” Pincus wrote on March 22. “Going by [Howard] Beck's article and general buzz in NBA circles, Atlanta is believed to be seeking sizable change.”
3-Teamer, Young to Spurs
This hypothetical deal would see the Hawks get the San Antonio Spurs' first-round pick in 2024, the Hawks' own 2025 pick plus a 2025 pick from the Charlotte Hornets -- both of which were sent out for Murray -- as well as the swap rights' back in 2026 and their own outright pick in 2027.
The deal would also generate $43.4 million in trade exceptions for the Hawks, and a $6.5 million trade exception for the Bulls.
Beck wrote that the Hawks broached the idea of trading Young to the Spurs before the trade deadline.
Reports emerged teams who spoke with the Hawks felt Young could be available this summer.
However, Hawks assistant Mike Brey acknowledged during an interview with Sirius XM that the front office and coaching staff will have to examine whether or not they want to continue with the star guard backcourt this offseason.
Hawks would need more moves after this hypothetical trade scenario
That is a far cry from dealing Young for a potential return that seems better suited for a rebuild, and it would seemingly leave Murray’s future in limbo.
Tre Jones seems best suited for a backup point guard role, at least at this point of his career.
That is fine, but the Hawks already have rookie Kobe Bufkin on hand. He profiles similarly to Murray. And while the Hawks could try to pair the feisty duo in a new-look backcourt, the fit seems questionable on paper in terms of floor spacing.
Lonzo Ball has not played since January of the 2021-22 season, undergoing three knee surgeries in that span. He is progressing, though, as he hits the final year of his contract.
Devonte’ Graham has 14 appearances this season and played sparingly in most of them.
The Hawks would be armed with enough draft capital to acquire another star to put around Murray. But little else about this deal figures to help the Hawks in the interim, which again would put Murray’s future in question.
Grade: B-/Incomplete