Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal 

To judge this deal for Atlanta, you’ve got to aggregate both of the deals they’ve made with San Antonio. 

Essentially, they’d have flipped Young for Murray, and Jeremy Sochan, matching salaries and one first-round pick from Toronto. It doesn’t sound that bad when you put it that way. 

Young is one of the worst defenders in the NBA. By contrast, Dejounte Murray is one of the best defensive guards.

Meanwhile, Sochan has flashed serious All-Defensive potential throughout his rookie campaign. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks & San Antonio Spurs Updates

More than anything, this deal gives the Hawks a new, defense-first identity. If reports about the discord between Young and the front office are true, that fresh start becomes particularly valuable. 

Should the Spurs invest so much in such a poor defender if he’s prone to spats with front offices?