The Atlanta Hawks have been mentioned in NBA rumors heavily this season, both regarding their plans for the No. 1 overall pick and speculation regarding the futures of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. While no decision is imminent, there’s a new belief gaining some traction around the league.
Atlanta finished 36-46 last season, missing the NBA playoffs after being knocked out in the first round of the Eastern Conference in consecutive seasons. With the team seemingly unable to improve under its current core, a wide variety of changes are under consideration.
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- DeJounte Murray stats (2022-’24): 21.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 46.2% FG, 35.5% 3PT, .084 Win Shares per 48 Minutes, .548 TS% on 25.5% Usage rate
Some of the latest NBA trade rumors have suggested Atlanta could trade down from the first overall pick, acquiring multiple lottery picks this year and using those selections to build around Young and Murray. In contrast, however, there’s now talk around the league about the organization taking the opposite approach.
On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons podcast, Simmons noted there’s a buzz around the NBA that the Hawks could end up trading both Murray and Young this summer and blow up their roster.
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NBA rumors: Teams believe Atlanta Hawks might blow it up
“Some people seem to think both of those guys are getting traded is a thing I’ve heard…From different people that don’t know each other, who know things, [they said that the Hawks are] just like, ‘You know what, we’ve got the number one pick, this didn’t work, we got to the Conference Finals that one time, let’s just try to blow this up.’
Bill Simmons on the Atlanta Hawks
One thing that’s become evident from NBA news this offseason is that teams are higher on Murray than Young. While clubs are interested in both players, the consensus is that Murray is the more valuable player and rivals are prioritizing a deal for him over pursuing Young.
- Trae Young stats (2022-’24): 26.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG< 10.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 43% FG, 35.4% 3PT, .121 Win Shares per 48 Minutes, .578 TS% on 31.7% Usage rate
Related: San Antonio Spurs eyeing a blockbuster trade with Atlanta Hawks
In theory, Atlanta could trade Murray to a team like the San Antonio Spurs for a package of draft picks including getting back the draft rights to the Hawks’ 2025 first-round selection which San Antonio owns. If a deal like that is made, then Atlanta could feel more comfortable flipping Young with the security of having some control over its future draft rights.
For now, nothing is imminent and the range of outcomes for the Hawks this season varies from trading the top pick to build a better team around its All-Star guards or trading both players to kickstart a complete rebuild. With the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26, all the Hawks rumors should end fairly soon with a more definitive answer on draft night.
