Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
The Hawks do this deal for a fresh start. In Trae Young’s brief time with this team, they’ve fired two coaches. Some have identified Young as a “coach killer.” The team culture here may be in jeopardy.
This would be quite the way to reset it. If the Hawks want to establish a defensive identity, acquiring Anunoby would be a solid means of doing so. He’s one of the best defensive wings in the entire league.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are adding a blue-chip prospect here as well. It won’t be Wembanyama or Henderson, but if they can add Brandon Miller or Amen Thompson to their core, it will make this deal worthwhile on their end.
The Hawks have the luxury of re-tooling their roster around Dejounte Murray if they choose to move on from Young. They’d immediately be able to form an intriguing defensive lineup with Murray handling the point of attack and having size at all five positions.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks & Toronto Raptors Updates
There is a genuinely intriguing pathway for the Hawks to shift their roster around if they were to pursue a path of this kind. Keep in mind, Young’s contract is a supermax deal and if they were adding an elite prospect in this year’s draft, that’s a big cost difference.
Is it worthwhile for the Raptors?
