The Hawks have two All-Star point guards that are expected to be available for trade this offseason, and it’s expected that the Pelicans will have talks regarding Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
“The Pelicans had contact with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks before the trade deadline in February. Expect those talks to resume this summer. The Cavaliers and Hawks have three All-Star guards between them in Darius Garland, Dejounte Murray and Trae Young who could be available,” Christian Clark of Nola.com writes.
Clark added that the Pels seemingly hold more interest in Murray over Young, which continues the notion that Atlanta’s newer point guard will be more sought after this summer than his counterpart.
There are a couple of obvious reasons for this preference. Murray’s contract length and average annual value certainly play a part but his length and defensive acumen play a role too.
With Murray standing 6-foot-5 and making $25.5 million next season, it’s not exactly shocking that New Orleans or any other club would prefer him over a 6-foot-1 Trae Young who is owed $43 million.
Moreover, the Pelicans or any other acquiring team would seemingly have to give up less for Dejounte Murray compared to a Trae Young trade. As far as a potential deal with New Orleans, Atlanta does seem like a perfect trade partner on paper.
The Hawks have a surplus of point guards, and the Pels desperately need one to maximize Zion Williamson’s skill set. There’s been hypotheticals about a swapping of All-Stars in Murray and Brandon Ingram, and that would seemingly make both clubs better.
However, Trae Young would make the Pels infinitely better because of his offensive ceiling and ability to mesh with Williamson. New Orleans would have to give up more pieces than just Ingram, so that’s what’s being weighed in potential trade talks.
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Photographer: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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