In today’s NBA, the players hold all the power. Every year superstars will force their way out of a city without the slightest warning, the most recent being Kevin Durant. Owners have no control over anything anymore; stars run the Association. So if a star doesn’t want to be a part of an organization, you can bet your last dollar their agent will eventually find a way out.
The Hawks recently acquired All-Star Dejounte Murray from the Spurs, and fans will be ecstatic to hear what he has to say about playing in Atlanta with fellow All-Star Trae Young.
"Atlanta is the place that I wanted to be."
— @DejounteMurray pic.twitter.com/GmnVMBIxbU
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) July 1, 2022
Murray is a class act, and if you needed more proof of what type of person he is, look at the organization he came from. Despite existing in such a small market, San Antonio has long been one of the best franchises to play for in sports.
Dejounte on Spurs at his introductory presser in Atlanta:
"They didn't want to see me waste years rebuilding and stuff. They want to see me win and the best for Dejounte, and I thank them for that a lot. That's what makes our relationship special and family forever.""
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) July 1, 2022
As Chase outlined, there was always risk associated with acquiring someone of Murray’s caliber because it costs considerable draft capital.
There’s no question this move comes with a lot of risk for Atlanta. The 2023 first-round pick is a protected one from Charlotte, but the others are the Hawks’ in 2025 and 2027 and are unprotected. By then, Murray could be out of Atlanta if things don’t pan out and Young could follow him, leaving the Hawks with no players and no picks — a nightmare situation that could take a decade to dig themselves out of.
However, there’s no doubt Murray wants to be in Atlanta playing with Ice Trae. This is the start of a new era in Hawks basketball.
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