Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal 

The Hawks would be cutting off their newly formed backcourt prematurely. That might be for the best. 

After all, there were always questions about how Murray and Trae Young would co-exist. This season may have answered them. Murray’s poor shooting makes him a questionable partner for the ball-dominant Young. 

By contrast, Porter Jr. is a strong catch-and-shoot player. He’s not as generally impactful as Murray, but he is a better fit alongside Young. 

Still, that’s not the point here for the Hawks. That would be the lottery pick they’re receiving here. This deal would grant them the rights to select a prospect like Brandon Miller, Ausar Thompson, Cam Whitmore, or Jarace Walker. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks & Houston Rockets Updates

From that point, they can only hope to establish a strong tie with that player.