The Atlanta Hawks have found a trade partner for one of their two guards. After months of trade speculation around Dejounte Murray, he has been dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans in return for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and two first-round picks, per Shams Charania.
Let's go over some quick takeaways for each team.
Atlanta Hawks: B
The Hawks clear the logjam of the Trae Young/Dejounte Murray pairing. They just did not fit, which was evident in the Hawks having a negative net rating in the shared minutes with Murray and Young. When either had the court as the lone lead guard, the net rating would be positive. After almost two seasons playing together, it was time to end this experiment and go a different route.
The Hawks return of Dyson Daniels makes sense. Could he be a poor man's Murray? Daniels is defense-first, lengthy for his position, has strong playmaking abilities and there's room for improvement in his shooting. He also has two more years of team control on a friendly contract with club options before hitting restricted free agency, where the Hawks would retain matching rights. It's an enticing upside project, with a high ceiling and low floor. In terms of NBA timelines, this also works next to Jalen Johnson and newly minted No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher.
Despite not returning their own draft capital from the initial Murray trade, the Hawks become net neutral in first-round picks after acquiring the Lakers 2025 first-rounder and the worse first-round pick between the 2027 Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans Pelicans. These picks are likely late first-round picks, but they still allow the Hawks to build talent through the draft or package picks for another trade. While the quality of picks dips a bit, the flexibility within trade parameters is restored.
New Orleans Pelicans: B (with some reserved judgment)
This is an immediate talent upgrade, but it invites a few questions on what comes next. This feels like a first move in a reshuffling of the deck in New Orleans. We have heard rumblings that Brandon Ingram may have played his last game for the Pelicans. How does bringing in Murray impact Ingram? To be determined.
There were strong indications that management wanted to move on from Jonas Valančiūnas, who is now an unrestricted free agent. But Nance was the small-ball center relied upon in playoff situations to pivot away from Valančiūnas. Is Valančiūnas coming back despite the awkward fit? Who do the Pelicans target for their center spot?
Ultimately, I do like the fit of Murray next to Zion Williamson. They can both play with pace and are dominant in transition. Murray has shown chops to be a lead guard in gaps when Williamson may miss time. Defensively, a perimeter of Murray, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III provides great point of attack defense. If the Pelicans nail the center spot, they suddenly become a scary playoff team.
I understand the Pelicans' impetus to push the chips a bit here. They had draft picks stockpiled similar to the Knicks, but not quite like the Thunder. This means they had to make a move on a player soon, and they also knew their offer could be trumped by OKC if they wait for the same guy.
Murray fits and helps win now in an even and muddy Western Conference where being hot and healthy at the right team may be what it takes to go on a Dallas Mavericks type of run.
