Most Hawks fans expect big changes to come to Atlanta this offseason, with many assuming one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray will be traded.
The backcourt duo hasn’t worked out as the club had hoped. Travis Schlenk was cautious to make the deal with the Spurs, but ownership pushed it through anyway, and it’s gone terribly.
The All-Star point guards are excellent players separately but don’t bring out the best in one another when they’re on the court together. A case could be made for the Hawks to build around either of them.
For Trae Young, it’s obvious. He’s the more dynamic player that has proven capable of leading a team on a deep playoff run. Young’s offensive pedigree makes up for his defensive liabilities. On the other hand, Dejounte Murray is much cheaper and under contract for longer while also offering more two-way versatility than his counterpart.
One other thing to consider is the potential trade markets. If Trae Young nets a haul in return, the Hawks have to ponder moving the greatest player this franchise has seen since Dominique Wilkins.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently drummed up a three-team trade idea that would involve the Hawks, Magic, and Nuggets and would completely retool Atlanta’s chest of draft picks.
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Magic Receive: Trae Young and Michael Porter Jr.
Magic Lose: Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick
Hawks Receive: Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, a 2024 first-round pick from Denver, a 2025 first-round pick from Orlando, a 2027 first-round pick from Orlando and a 2029 first-round pick from Orlando
Hawks Lose: Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanović and a 2030 first-round pick swap with Denver
Nuggets Receive: Jonathan Isaac, Bogdan Bogdanović and a 2030 first-round pick swap
Nuggets Lose: Michael Porter Jr. and a 2024 first-round pick
Essentially, the Hawks are giving up Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic for a pair of young guards and four first-round picks.
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Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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