Southeast Notes: Atlanta, Young, Butler, Ware, Hornets

THE Falcons‘ trade of Murray Dejounte will make the list cheaper, more consistent, and better suited to Star Guard Trae Youngwrites John Hollinger of The Athletic. However, it is unclear whether Young remains in the franchise’s long-term plans.

Although the roster appears to be adjusting better now, the Hawks are 161-157 over the last four seasons and don’t necessarily appear any closer to being an Eastern Conference contender. However, due to the initial acquisition of Murray, the Spurs control the Hawks’ first-round picks for the next three drafts (unprotected in 2025 and 2027 and an unprotected trade in 2026)

This is why, Hollinger writes, the Spurs are the most logical trade partner for any deal involving Young. San Antonio is looking for an elite point guard to partner with Victor Wembanyamaand the combined salaries of Devonte’ Graham (whose warranty date has just been extended), Zach Collins And Tre Jones match Young’s, Hollinger points out.

Outside of Young, deals for the likes Clint Capela And De’Andre Hunter have been lacking, according to Hollinger, from league sources, but more moves out of Atlanta are expected.

For now though, this is Young’s team and the Murray trade allows for more roster flexibility, including unlocking the non-taxpayer mid-level exception following the ‘dodge under the luxury tax line.

We have more news from the Southeast Division:

• Heat star Jimmy Butler plans to play the 2024/25 season, then terminate his contract and enter free agency next year, without signing an extension. While this isn’t the ideal outcome for either side, it represents a middle ground that allows Butler to bet on himself and gives the Heat time to figure out its future. As William Guillory of The Athletic writes, Miami understands that Butler is the key to any playoff success this season. Still, Guillory wonders if it might make more sense to move on from the Butler era as the team quietly continues to build a strong young core.
• THE Heat presented to the media on Friday the new member of this young core, with the No. 15 overall pick. Kel’el Ware made his debut in the press. “We feel very lucky that we were able to get the specific player we wanted, who can complement our team, who can complement Bam (Adebayo),“President of the Heat Pat Riley ” said Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Ware immediately becomes the tallest player on Miami’s roster.
• THE Hornets give up Seth Curry and by declining the team option on JT Thor‘s contract suggests they are preparing to operate as a cap-room team if they lose a free agent forward Miles BridgesHollinger wrote in a separate article. The Hornets could create up to $23 million in salary cap space if they waive the non-guaranteed contracts of Aleksej Pokusevski And Bryce McGowens.
• The Hornets also introduced draft picks Tidjane Salaün And KJ Simpson Friday. The duo represents the vice president of basketball operations Jeff PetersonThe first two elements of its vision and its culture. “(Salaün and Simpson) simply embody everything we want to be,» Peterson said, according to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “They are extremely selfless. They work, they understand the importance of putting in the time. That’s the only way to get the results you want. They compete and they just have an incredible vision and approach to improving every day. So these two guys embody exactly what we want to do for the future.“