The 2023-24 NBA season is well underway. For some teams, it’s time to start thinking about the playoffs. For others, the upcoming offseason is already the focus.
Surely, the Atlanta Hawks are thinking about the summer. This team has some big decisions to make. The Hawks are allegedly considering moving one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray.
The Brooklyn Nets are another team with some difficult choices moving forward. This team is outside of the playoff race, and they don’t own their own draft picks. Perhaps that’s why they’ve seemed apprehensive about moving Mikal Bridges. Could they send him to the Hawks?
NBA Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Dejounte Murray, 2024 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap – ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Mikal Bridges, F Dorian Finney-Smith
Other teams aren’t sure where to focus. Take the Houston Rockets. This team wanted to make a play-in run this season. It’s not looking good for them, but there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the Rockets’ future.
Most notably, the Rockets own the Nets’ first-round picks from this summer until 2027. It’s not often that a team gains so much control of another team’s future. The Rockets are still reaping the benefits of having traded James Harden to the Nets three seasons ago.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks Updates
So if you’re a Rockets fan, you love this proposal. If the Nets make this deal, they’ll be weaker. They’re flipping two rotation players for one. Are we sure about this?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
The Nets aren’t merely acquiring picks in this deal. They’re also bringing in Dejounte Murray. This team needs a point guard, and Murray could be a building block for them moving forward.
No, he’s not a franchise player. Neither is Bridges. The Nets are picking up a long-term starter and borderline star here – and two unprotected first-round picks and a swap in the process.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks Updates
That’s a good deal. The Nets are adding these picks to an already solid collection. In time, the Nets would likely use their draft capital to trade for a star. Should the Hawks trade the little capital that they have left?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
Murray was always the wrong co-star for Young. They’re both ball-dominant guards. Taking the ball out of Young’s hands never made sense – he’s one of the best playmakers in the NBA.
Who would make a better co-star for Young? How about a 3-and-D wing who can create shots? Bridges fits that description. He’d allow Young to completely run the offense and bail him out when necessary.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks Updates
Meanwhile, Finney-Smith is an outstanding 3-and-D wing in his own right. This deal has the Hawks putting a more optimal roster around Young. If they’re keeping him, that needs to be their goal for this summer.
