The Atlanta Hawks’ front office vowed that they wouldn’t repeat their 2021 NBA offseason this year. Last year, they decided to run things back with virtually the same roster after making the Eastern Conference Finals. That proved to be the wrong decision, as they took a major step back.
Atlanta had to defeat the Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Play-In Tournament to even qualify for the postseason. Their stay was a short one as the Miami Heat defeated them in five games.
This offseason they wanted to shake things up to try and get back to the level they reached during the 2021 postseason. So, they made a blockbuster trade with the San Antonio Spurs, acquiring All-Star point guard, Dejounte Murray.
The price was not cheap to land him, as the Hawks traded three unprotected first-round draft picks and a pick swap, along with Danilo Gallinari to San Antonio. Atlanta is hoping that Murray’s presence will help take pressure off of Trae Young on both ends of the court.
LATEST NBA NEWS: San Antonio Spurs Trade Dejounte Murray To Atlanta Hawks
Murray is an excellent defender and will help compensate for Young’s underwhelming impact on that end of the court. Offensively, he can run the offense, providing the Hawks with another ball-handler and playmaker so that those responsibilities don’t fall solely on Young.
Enabling Young to play off the ball a little bit should open things up for him, as the Heat made life extremely difficult for them on offense but stifling and shutting Young down. It is something we have seen players such as Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard thrive with while not having to initiate all of the offense.
LATEST NBA NEWS: San Antonio Spurs Trade Dejounte Murray To Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young is excited to play alongside Dejounte Murray and believes that he will help elevate the team. He has title aspirations and is ready to achieve them with his new running mate.
There will undoubtedly be some things to iron out in the early going, especially on offense, as Murray and Young are both used to having the ball in their hands a lot. It will take some sacrifice from both players, but if the team can find success and win some games, that transition will be much easier to handle.
