revised 7/7/24
The Atlanta Hawks stayed in the news, following the 2024 NBA draft, following it up with a blockbuster trade. The Hawks agreed to trade star guard, Dejounte Murray, to the New Orleans Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniel, E.J. Liddell, Cody Zeller and 2 first-round picks. The 2025 first-round pick via the Los Angeles Lakers is unprotected and the 2027 first-round pick will end up being the least favorable pick, dating back to a trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Pelicans. The trade was officially expanded on Saturday, July 6th, which included Liddell and Zeller, going to the Hawks, as well.
Rumors have been swirling the Hawks, and the first major move of the offseason has come from Atlanta. The Trae Young-Dejounte Murray experiment is officially over. In two seasons with Atlanta, Murray averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals in 35.7 minutes per game. The numbers, the eye-test, and the results, forced management’s hand to making this deal and breaking up the backcourt duo. Atlanta traded three first-round picks back in the 2022 offseason, and did well to recoup two picks back and a nice young player in Daniels.
Atlanta will welcome Nance Jr., and his expiring contract, along with Daniels, who could become a key member of the rotation because of his age and defensive prowess. Nance Jr. averaged 19.9 minutes a game last year finishing with 5.7 points and 5 rebounds a game. Daniels avergaed a clip more at 22.3 minutes a game, ending the year with a 5.8 point and 2.7 assist per game average. Daniels, who was drafted 8th overall in 2022, will get a chance to jumpstart his career in Atlanta.
Liddell, the former Ohio State-star, did not play much for the Pelicans last season. He appeared in 8 games and averaged 2.9 minutes in those showings. He joins a young team in Atlanta where he can potentially carve out a role for himself.
Zeller enters his 11th NBA season and is now playing for his fourth franchise in as many years. He joins a crowded room for centers in Atlanta.
What do you think? Did the Hawks win or lose this trade? Could they have gotten more for Dejounte and his contract? Do you like the direction the franchise is going? Let us know in the comment section below!
