An NBA team is like a puzzle. The pieces need to fit. The most talented roster in the NBA may not meet its goals if the players on the team don’t complement each other. In 2022-23, the Atlanta Hawks learned that lesson the hard way.
It’s ironic. When the Hawks traded for Dejounte Murray, they were thinking about the fit of their roster. Trae Young is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the NBA, but he’s a porous defender. Murray was supposed to help – and defensively, he did. Unfortunately, the duo fit poorly on the offensive end. Murray’s lack of shooting made him a weak off-ball threat when Young had the ball.
Are we saying this can’t work? No. The Hawks could give this duo another season. With a new head coach in town, they could see different results. On the other hand, the Hawks could also justify cutting ties with this duo early. Could they do so by sending Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans?
The Trade Proposal
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G CJ McCollum, 2024 First-Round Pick (LAL via NOP), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIL via NOP), 2026 First-Round Pick (NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Dejounte Murray
The Pelicans are trying to make their puzzle fit, too. They’ve got some basketball concerns, but all told, this roster is well constructed – on the court. Unfortunately, there are non-basketball factors that have limited this group’s upside.
Yes, we’re talking about injuries. Zion Williamson is among the most injury-prone players in the NBA. Brandon Ingram is a threat to get injured as well. This is a problem for New Orleans. If their players can’t stay healthy, they can’t contribute. With that said, there’s a lot of talent here – the Pelicans may want to hang onto their two star forwards.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Is the roster around them optimal? Not quite. Williamson is one of the most explosive offensive players in the league when healthy, but he’s a weak defender as well. Perhaps that’s why the Pelicans have allegedly been looking to swap Jonas Valanciunas for a more stout interior defender. Could they acquire a lockdown perimeter defender instead?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
If the Pelicans made this deal, they may be committing to Valanciunas. For all of his defensive limitations, he’s an elite stretch big man. That should bode well for Murray. With four out spacing around him, Murray’s shortcomings as a shooter would be minimized.
Meanwhile, Murray is one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the NBA. The Pelicans may have the defensive pieces to cover for both Williamson and Valanciunas after landing him. He’d be joining Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Larry Nance Jr., and Dyson Daniels to assemble an outstanding group of young defensive players. Still, the Pelicans aren’t doing this deal primarily for Murray’s defense.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
After all, he’s a more dynamic offensive player than McCollum at this point as well. He’s an outstanding playmaker who will get all of the Pelicans’ young stars involved in the action. Yes, the Pelicans are giving up a lot of draft capital here. It should be worth their time to land a young star who fits as well as Murray does on their roster. Should the Hawks give Murray up for this price?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
There’s another reason why the Pelicans would do this deal. McCollum’s contract is burdensome. Shouldn’t that keep the Hawks from acquiring him? What are they doing here?
Well, McCollum’s beefy contract is why the Hawks are getting so many first-round picks here. In essence, they’re netting two for Murray, and one for taking on McCollum’s deal. That makes sense. Still, it’s worth questioning whether McCollum is the right fit for this roster. It’s worth noting that he’d be joining Young to form perhaps the worst defensive backcourt in the league.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Sure. They’d also be a much more sensible fit than Young and Murray on offense. Meanwhile, the Hawks should have a stout defensive frontcourt. Still, even if this doesn’t work, the Hawks will have three new unprotected first-rounders to make another deal with. All they’ve got to do is see if these pieces fit.
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