David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Hawks entered the lottery with a slim three percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick but defied the odds and now hold the first selection for the second time since selecting David Thompson first in the 1975 NBA Draft.
Following a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020-21 season, the Hawks have gone backward with consecutive exits in the first round and failed to make the playoffs this season.
There’s a widespread belief among rival executives that the Hawks will break up their backcourt and part with either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason. In years past, there was strong resistance to moving Young, but rival executives believe Atlanta will be more open to that conversation this offseason than ever before.
Young is owed $89 million guaranteed over the next two seasons and has a $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Murray’s four-year extension, worth up to $120 million, begins next season when he will earn $25.5 million, a much cheaper alternative.
It’s also worth noting that with Young sidelined for 23 games toward the end of the regular season, Murray averaged 24.8 points, 9.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game from February 25 through April 9.
Atlanta had trade conversations regarding Murray before the deadline with several teams, including the Lakers, Pelicans, Knicks, Nets, and Raptors.
The Pelicans could circle back around on Murray, beat reporter Will Guillory said during a recent HoopsHype podcast episode. As reported by HoopsHype in the same episode, Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is considered the most likely player to be traded by rival executives.
As for Young, the Lakers have often been linked with Young, but that was before Young left Klutch Sports Group, which has strong ties with the Lakers while representing the team’s star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, for CAA.
While some have floated the idea of the Spurs trading for Young in the media, league sources said the Hawks and Spurs didn’t have substantive conversations about such a trade before the deadline. Time will tell in the coming months if that changes. However, heading into the lottery, those same league sources cast doubt regarding that changing in the future.
The Hawks could trade one of their guards, Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, and reset by acquiring future draft capital for either player to pair with the No. 1 pick. Or, Atlanta could look to trade the No. 1 pick in a package for a veteran player, which would signal more of a win-now mentality for the organization. Soon, the Hawks will have to pick a direction.
When asked by HoopsHype if he believed a prospect with this pick could have an impact soon, Hawks executive Landry Fields replied, “Yeah, yeah. I think absolutely. I think what we’re seeing – and it’s early on right now – there are a lot of guys, and it’s a lot of fun too. So many different types of guys and different variations.”
While Fields is uncertain what Atlanta will do with their backcourt and the No. 1 pick, the Hawks left the lottery as winners.
“At least I can go home and tell my wife on Mother’s Day at least we won the lottery,” Fields said. “That’s her present.”
