The Hawks are “absolutely open for business” on the trade market, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who said today during a Q&A session on Threads that general manager Landry Fields “seems determined to make changes” to Atlanta’s roster by the February 8 trade deadline.
Given that Wojnarowski’s statement is just a brief response in a Q&A session rather than a full report, he doesn’t offer any additional details on the Hawks’ plans for the deadline.
It seems relatively safe to assume that star guard Trae Young won’t be going anywhere on or before Feb. 8, and the Hawks reportedly aren’t inclined to move breakout forward Jalen Johnson. Additionally, young big man Onyeka Okongwu will be subject to the poison pill provision, making it more challenging – though certainly not impossible – to include him in a deal.
On the other hand, De’Andre Hunter and Clint Capela have frequently been cited as probable trade candidates, and there has been speculation that Atlanta might be open to listening to inquiries on Dejounte Murray. It would presumably require a substantial offer for the Hawks to seriously consider moving Murray, but with the club off to a 13-19 start this season following an underwhelming 41-41 finish in 2022/23, Fields and the front office will likely consider a wide range of possibilities.
In terms of potential trade targets, Raptors forward Pascal Siakam has frequently been linked to the Hawks. Atlanta and Toronto reportedly engaged in serious talks over the summer that ultimately didn’t lead to a deal.
The Hawks were at the center of several trade rumors during the offseason, with Caplea’s and Hunter’s names coming up frequently, but the team’s only major move on the trade market was sending John Collins to Utah in what amounted to a salary dump.
The hope was that, a year after acquiring Murray, the current iteration of the Hawks could make a leap in the same way that the Timberwolves have this season in their second year with Rudy Gobert. That hasn’t been the case in the first half though, so after those rumored offseason trades didn’t come to fruition, Atlanta may be more aggressive in trying to get deals across the finish line in the coming weeks.
They can’t hide behind the Raptors getting all the scrutiny as the team needing to make a move anymore. They are in a weird spot. That Hunter contract is a replay of Collins, yikes.
Capela and Murray for Hartenstein, Grimes, and Fournier and 3 Firsts…throw in Sims to sweeten the deal or for extra salary? Not sure if the money adds up…
Hard pass
I’d rather keep Hartenstein. Grimes, Fournier and three firsts for Murray and Bey. Then, Sims and a low first for Drummond. Murray subbing out first and then leading a second unit of DDV, Hart, Bey and Drummond would be sick.
I like that too you could probably get away with a 2nd for Drummond even
Precious, Flynn and two 2nds for Drummond and Carter. Then Hart, Fournier with à 1st or two for a good SG
Knicks can beat the Lakers as far as draft picks not sure what Lakers are willing to give up for players if the rumors they want Murray are true and are the Knicks main competition for him
If the Hawks triple down on this bad team by giving up even more picks to get Siakam I’m going to laugh.
Hawks overpaid for Murray after the team had a fluke good season and are stuck in the middle of the pack best case, and bottom 10 worst case.
Why would it seem relatively safe that we won’t trade Trae? He should be the obvious choice as the first guy to go for numerous reasons
100%
How quickly the tides have turned, Sank went from Trae Young fanboy to send him off on the first ship in the span of what? 2.5 seasons.
I don’t disagree with you, but unless they ask to be dealt, players of that standing typically aren’t traded in the middle of the season. It’s not impossible, but at this point it would be a surprise if that’s the move.
I dont know why some seem to think Murray is the problem. He’s not having a down year or anything, considering how ball dominant Young is.
Agreed. Why trade Murray? Still young, talented, great size for a guard, very athletic.
Murray’s high-end value in the NBA is as a PG. It would be just as foolish for the NYK to believe he’s some kind of perfect complement to Brunson as it was for ATL to believe he was that to TY.
If TOR has a chance to get Murray for Siakam, then they should do it.
Why would they do that after getting Quickly to be the point guard of the future…if they wanted Murray they should have dealt for him before they went and got Quickly…New York would want Murray more for his defense and the bonus of being the 3rd offensive option…he could also run the second unit when Brunson sits
Murray is not playing defense at all this season
lol what?
@mokaki – You’ve made my point for me.
Murray would NOT upgrade the NYK wing defense (he’s a dominate defender ONLY on the point, he’s no better than above average, if that, on the wing, certainly no upgrade over what they have on the wing, Anunoby, Grimes, Hart, DiV) and any upgrade he’d bring to their backup PG defense would be minor (since McBride is an excellent defender).
Murray would make a BAD third option for the NYK (with Brunson and Randle), for much the same reason Barrett was. Both are poor 3 pt shooters. 3 volume shooters can’t co-exist where only 1 is a plus 3 pt shooter. Every team that’s tried this (including TOR) has failed. Yet, fans keep wanting to put these trio’s together.
You make a good point on IQ with TOR. Still, though, TOR could much better leverage Murray with IQ better than the NYK could with Brunson.
Brunson showed in Dallas that he can be perfectly effective off the ball. Murray is at 34% career on 3 shots per game from 3, 36% on 6 shots per game with Atlanta; no bomber but no slouch either. And, I think Murray’s effort on D would improve with a more hopeful situation in New York, with a defensively-minded coach and a more empowering team leader in Brunson.
Of course Brunson can be effective off the ball, at times, and Murray can hit 3’s, at times. The issue is can both skill sets be maximized together when they become more primary vs secondary. Unlikely, and there is no indication of it. Murray’s 3 pt shooting over years is not consistent with floor spacing. Not in SA or ATL. The uptick when he plays on the wing is normal, but the internal breakdown of his 3 pt shooting still indicates he’s the same guy. Regardless of effort, Murray’s defense, at its best, is not as impactful overall against SG that are his height. The NYK defensive profile is only slightly better with Brunson-Murray than it would have been with Brunson-IQ, and the offensive profile would be worse. NYK current alternatives of Grimes, Hart and DiV can match or better his 3 pt shooting and be just as effective in perimeter defense. They won’t crowd out Anunoby – and others – creating other issues down the line.
Hopefully the NYK FO will learn from the mistaken assumptions of other teams, and not sit around thinking of reasons why things will be different in their case.
Kinda over Woj tbh
How on earth Is the market for Capela so low? Please, someone explain to me, I am open to a good answer. I’m not a Capela fan, I’m even opposite in terms of the skill sets I like (I’m More an Al Jefferson, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMarcus Cousins fan), but I can’t neglect the fact the guy is an elite rim protector with plenty of playoff experience. A rebound sweeper, and, though límited, quite efficient big on offense.
As a Knicks fan, I was cursing at the Hawks team in that playoffs matchup (especially Trae, Capela, Hunter, and Bogie was also dislikable as a Knicks fan),rooting for my Knicks, but as much as I wanted the Knicks to win, Capela was a defensive wall, that completely wiped out the Knicks presence in the paint, with Randle settling in for contested jumpers outside the paint that rendered very ineffective.
It’s just 2 (and a half) seasons ago.
He hasn’t been an elite rim protector for a few years. His other skills are rather average so his value is non existent on his current contract.
I haven’t watched Hawks games since then, so I give you the right on that.
In that series, though, I watched like 3 or 4 games, and he was consistently deterring Knicks shots at the rim, blocking many, and simply discouraging plenty others.
So he did fell off a bit..
Hawks been mid for like 3/4 seasons now…
It’s weird I thought Trae Young Hunter Collins and Capela as going to lead them to being consistently the 5th/6th best in the east. Then they moved off Collins and look set to move off Capela but haven’t gotten any better with with the addition of DeJounte Murray. Kinda like the raptors in the fact of on passer they should be better.
I’m in the Hawks tho I’d actually love Trae Young, he’s obviously a really good basketball player but he’s not the leader you thought he was and you haven’t been able to build a good team around him for a while now.
What about this for an idea
Trae Young and DeAndre Hunter for Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic and a first round pick
ATL put Murray to PG and pair him with Herro in the backcourt. At the forward spots you have Sadiq Bey and Jalen Johnson with either Capela or Onyeka. Off the bench you’ve got Lowry Bogdan Griffin Jovic and again either Capela or Onyeka. Kyle Lowry gives them a very nice expiring contract and you get a first round pick.
As for Miami, Trae Young gives you a very good offensive presence. He can score from anywhere on the court and will consistently give you about 30 a night, not only that but you have Jimmy Butler who can just take over games as the leader of this team and I think could bring the best out of Trae. Hunter also gives them a good body 6’8, 230 can play either forward spot, plays both ends and shoots the 3, that’s why they need at it only cost them a first.
Miamis been searching for that superstar, they were never really in the hunt for Spida, they tried their luck with Beal but Trae would be a great fit
I like the idea, but I think the Heat would be fleecing ATL big time
Idk, Tyler Herro is a solid young player and he’d pair really well with DeJounte Murray in the backcourt
3 back to back to back season of 20-5-4 with really good shooting efficiency and better defence than Trae. Efficiency wise they both shoot relatively similar number but Herro hits 3’s at a better clip. Only real difference I guess is Trae takes more, as he leads that team and Herro takes less playing off Jimmy. However Tyler is also 2 years younger so there’s lots of room to grow. Not to mention you get out of Hunters deal for Lowrys expiring money, Herro gets paid 13mil a year less and you get a first round pick and Nikola Jovic. Maybe throw in an extra protected first or 3/4 second round picks but I wouldn’t say it’s far off being pretty even
There aren’t many C on the market, by the way.
Murray would be a decent fit for the Sixers if 38 3p% is real. Not sure what they’d do roster wise next season differently tho. I think it would be the same cast back. Would have 101M committed to 5 guys w Maxey’s cap hold. Technically enough for a max slot but would have no bench.
I thought Jrue Holiday was the perfect fit with Maxey as he’s got the experience and is an elite defender. Both aren’t true point guards but would share the ball well with Joel and it would work nicely. Dejounte is very similar, less defensive ability but also a lot younger, more consistent offensively and offers more at that end, is a boat load cheaper and his trade value is lower. So to summarise I’d also love to have him on the Sixers.
Even DeAndre Hunter, would love to grab him while we are at it. Can play either forward spot, good 3 and D role player. Born and raised in Philly.
I don’t think we have the assets tho, Tobias Harris would definitely be gone, which isn’t the worst idea. Paul Reed, he’d be gone and multiple picks.
So hawks think only young talent with no third star will keep Trae??? They enjoy being mid!
Are they even mid?
They aren’t a top 5 team.