Blockbuster new three-team trade proposal sends Paul George to Atlanta and Dejounte Murray to the Clippers

The NBA offseason is in full swing and the first big trade took place on Thursday when the Chicago Bulls traded Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey. There will certainly be more trades and moves to come and Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans and Clippers forward Paul George will be in the news a lot over the next few weeks.

The Atlanta Hawks have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. They hold the first pick in the draft, they will likely have to make a decision on the Trae Young/Dejounte Murray backcourt, and other players such as Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic could be available. . Atlanta’s front office has a lot of big decisions to make and this team will likely look a lot different in the coming weeks.

New Orleans was swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder and is looking to shake up its roster this offseason. Both teams are looking to reshape their rosters and have pieces the other needs. New Orleans needs a point guard to run the offense and pair with Zion Williamson, while Atlanta needs wing players to give them more size. The two teams have been described as natural trading partners and there is a lot of meaning that could be made in many different exchanges between the two teams.

Paul George might be the best free agent on the market and he was heavily linked to the Philadelphia 76ers, but that doesn’t appear to be an option.

There are few teams with large amounts of cap space that can sign George to a big contract and he could opt out of his contract with the Clippers and ask to be traded. Despite his age and past injuries, George is still a high-level two-way player and he will have no shortage of suitors.

Could the Hawks be one of those teams?

Atlanta hasn’t been mentioned as a destination for George, but it makes sense if George picks up his player option and asks to be traded to Atlanta. The Hawks have some pieces that could intrigue the Clippers and would be intriguing fits. There is also a way for the Hawks to trade Capela and get players back as well if they bring in a team like the Pelicans.

Speaking of Capela, he was mentioned earlier this week by Action Network’s Matt Moore as someone the Pelicans, Bulls, Wizards and Grizzlies have interest in trading for. None of these teams (besides maybe the Bulls) are surprising to hear, as they are rumored to be looking for a center upgrade.

Here’s what Moore had to say about Capela, along with a note on the No. 1 pick and Young/Murray:

“No one knows who Atlanta takes with the No. 1 pick (and Athleticism Sam Vecenie said he doesn’t think the Hawks know yet. However, as the Hawks debate how to reshape their team going forward, changes — but not a complete teardown — are expected. In particular, the Hawks should trade one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, but not both. They will keep one to build.

Clint Capela is a popular trade target, with the Grizzlies, Wizards, Pelicans and Bulls showing interest. »

How about a three-team deal that would help everyone? It should be noted that this is simply a fun, speculative exercise to see what types of moves can be made, not what I think a team should absolutely do. That’s all.

Here is the trade:

Hawks receive: Paul George, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr

Clippers receive: Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter

Pelicans receive: Clint Capela

The Hawks have a high-level two-way player in Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and the No. 1 pick. If the Hawks took UConn center Donovan Clingan and made this trade, the Hawks defense would take a huge step forward. If the Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher, he could come off the bench while the Hawks would still have Onyeka Okongwu at center. The Hawks would be a much better team.

If George doesn’t want to return to the Clippers, what is the realistic return for the Clippers? They could do a lot worse than Murray and Hunter. Murray agreeing with James Harden (assuming he re-signs) would be something they need to figure out and Hunter has struggled with injuries and consistency. Still, Hunter is coming off the best offensive season of his career and has a career-high in threes.

New Orleans would have been interested in Capela and that would give them their center without having to give up much. If the Hawks take Clingan and Okongwu is traded, Nance is a backup center and Dyson Daniels could be a good two-way guard next to Young.

Is the exchange likely? Probably not. The Hawks have no ties to George and offers from other teams could provide them with better assets. Like I said, assuming the Clippers re-sign James Harden, would he and Murray fit in? Would the Clippers want Hunter?

Keep your eyes peeled over the coming weeks. Atlanta, New Orleans and Paul George will be mentioned a lot until something happens.