Blockbuster New Trade Proposal Sees Dejounte Murray + Clint Capela in New Orleans and Brandon Ingram in Atlanta

The NBA offseason officially began yesterday when ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a huge trade as the day drew to a close. Wojnarowksi reported that Bulls guard Alex Caruso was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey and that it was the league’s first big move of the offseason. This could be a crazy offseason across the league and two teams expected to be involved in various trade discussions are the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans.

The 2024 NBA Draft is less than a week away and Atlanta is on the clock after winning the draft lottery. Additionally, Atlanta needs to figure out what to do with the Trae Young/Dejounte Murray backcourt, as well as other veteran players such as Clint Capela and De’Andre Hunter. This team could look a lot different by the time the season starts in October. 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.

There has been talk of a potential trade between Dejounte Murray and Brandon Ingram and in a new trade proposal from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, that’s what’s happening, with other moving pieces:

The trade: Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr. and the Atlanta Hawks’ No. 21 pick for Dejounte Murray and Clint Capela

“Ingram is 26, a former All-Star and Most Improved Player winner and riding a five-year wave averaging at least 20 points and four assists.

The Duke product is a very good player, but not a peak caliber player in the eyes of the Pelicans, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com. And that could set up a big trade, as he is eligible to extend at that level this offseason.

New Orleans might not want to pay Ingram, but maybe Atlanta would.

The Hawks have needed an impact wing for some time, and perhaps they view him as a better fit with Trae Young than Murray was. Plus, they would get a usable backup big man in Nance and the No. 21 pick to add an additional prospect or make a separate trade.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, might view Murray as their missing spreadsheet.

The last time the 27-year-old operated as the primary point guard, he averaged 21.1 points and 9.2 assists against 2.6 turnovers while earning his first All-Star nomination.

New Orleans could also view Capela’s length and ability to play above the rim as better complements on the court for Zion Williamson than at center. »

At 6’8 190 LBS, Ingram checks off the size the Hawks need and he also checks the playmaking box. Whether he has the ball in his hands or not, Ingram can either get his own shot or set up one. others. He averaged nearly six assists per game over the past three seasons and was a good shot creator for the Pelican offense. He had a rough offensive run against the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs this season, but being with either Young would open up a lot of things for him.

However, he is not a perfect fit for Atlanta, especially from a defensive standpoint. If he were to be paired with Young, he would add to the team’s defensive issues, but they could be overcome because while he is not a great defender, he is not one of the worst in the league and he at least has size. . The other thing would be his three-point shooting, as it has fluctuated a bit over the years. He shot 35.5% from three this year, up from 39% last year. The year before, he shot 32 percent. There is an inconsistency with his three-point shot.

Ingram is also entering the final year of his contract and will need a new one after next season. Obviously, if the Hawks trade for him, they’ll give him a new contract, but that would also tie him and the team’s point guard up. Also consider that Jalen Johnson will be extension eligible this offseason, meaning Atlanta could have a lot of money tied up in Young/Murray, Ingram, the No. 1 pick (unless he’s traded), and Johnson . This would be the core of the Hawks if they made this trade and they would have to hope that it could bring them more success than they have had recently in the playoffs. Atlanta would also likely want to extend Caruso and lock down that core.

Ingram would bring a lot of upside to the Hawks and it appears New Orleans might be willing to move him.

Earlier this week, Action Network’s Matt Moore reported that the Pelicans, Wizards, Grizzlies and Bulls were four teams that had expressed interest in trading Capela.

This trade almost makes too much sense.

Although this is just speculation, it is possible that this deal could fall through. Buckle up for what could be a crazy offseason.