Assessing Dejounte Murray Trade Between Atlanta and New Orleans

On June 30, 2022, the Atlanta Hawks sent two unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. Due to similar playing styles, the fit between him and star point guard Trae Young was never really there during his two seasons in Atlanta.

Today, general manager Landry Fields rectified that by sending Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for two first-round picks, center Larry Nance Jr. and guard Dyson Daniels, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

As it stands, this is the Hawks’ best move of the offseason.

It was absolutely necessary to part ways with Murray’s contract, which would have paid him $25 million, $27 million, $29 million and $31 million over the next four years. It would have been a costly mistake to extend a guard partnership that didn’t benefit either player. Murray is still a very talented player — he averaged 22.5 points and 6.4 assists, along with 5.3 rebounds. His three-point shooting numbers were by far the best of his career, hitting 36 percent of his seven attempts per game. He will be best utilized as the primary point guard in New Orleans, working alongside Zion Williamson and allowing CJ McCollum to flourish in his natural guard position.

The Hawks appear to have committed to Trae Young with this trade. While he could still be traded, it doesn’t make sense for Atlanta to trade Young since they didn’t use their 2024 NBA Draft picks to select a point guard. Choosing Young over Murray is a move that maximizes the talent on the Hawks’ current roster. Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher, the team’s first overall pick in the 2024 draft, will be maximized by the attention Young demands and benefit from his playmaking. The Hawks will no longer have to rely on the iso-ball, “my turn, your turn” style of offense that defined the Young-Murray partnership.

As for the package Atlanta got, I think they did pretty well. Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels are both players who will fill useful roles on the Hawks. Last season, Nance averaged 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 61 games. He’s a smart player who brings tons of defensive effort, works well with stars and knows his role. Nance can play either power forward or center, which will help Atlanta give opponents a different look.

I’m very excited about what Dyson Daniels can bring to this lineup. He’s a 6’7 sophomore guard with a 6’10 wingspan, which he uses exceptionally well as a defender. He was 13th among all NBA defenders in steals, recording 1.4 per game, and can guard on the perimeter. I’m especially pleased with how he fits alongside Young, as Young’s improvements in his defensive efforts often go unnoticed due to his physical limitations. Now, Young has a backcourt partner who can cover some of those defensive breakdowns. He also processes the game quickly and makes nice passes. Daniels needs to improve his shooting (shooting just 31% from beyond the arc on limited volume), but he’s young and can easily become a better shooter. I’d bet he’ll have an easier time growing up in Atlanta since Young will demand so much defensive attention, forcing shooters to sag in front of Daniels.

Not to be underestimated is the fact that Atlanta also got two first-round picks in this deal. While neither draft is extremely valuable, they are still first-round picks that the Hawks didn’t have. This gives Atlanta a chance to add more cost-controlled talent through the draft that they previously lacked.

Verdict

In the process, Atlanta improved its prospects, acquired a young player with potential in Daniels, gave itself an insurance policy for a Clint Capela/Onyeka Okongwu trade and terminated the contract by Murray. This is a very impactful deal and I think this move has made the Hawks better in the short and long term. Thanks to Landry Fields and the rest of the front office for not doubling down on their mistake and coming away with value.

Grade: A-