After previously reporting — multiple times — that Atlanta is going to attempt to move Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason, Marc Stein hears the “leaguewide expectation” of that scenario has only grown since his initial story in February (Substack link).
There’s also “a growing belief in many corners of the league” that the Hawks would rather trade Young than Murray, Stein reports.
Still, Young might not have as much trade value as Atlanta hopes, Stein observes, since he’s on a maximum-salary rookie scale extension and isn’t exactly known for his defense.
League sources tell Stein that while Young still has Klutch Sports as an agency, his father, Rayford Young, recently became a certified NBA agent. Murray is also represented by Klutch, Stein notes.
Here’s more on the Hawks:
- Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution passes along several highlights from Friday’s end-of-season press conference. The Hawks were eliminated from postseason contention after losing to the Bulls in the play-in tournament. “Every year teams are different,” Young said. “I mean, obviously, I want to be here. I want to be here, but I want to win, too. I’ve said that since I’ve been here. I want to be here. I want to win championships here and do that. But I want to win. So, that’s pretty much all it is for me. That’s my motto, and that’s been me from the beginning.”
- Young also said he was comfortable with taking on a reduced role if it benefits the team, as Williams relays. “People may think that I have to feel like I’m the best player on the team or 1A or first option,” Young said. “I mean, I’m not that way. I’ve never been that way. So I’m just a guy that’s trying to get everybody involved and win the game, and I know when we win, everybody eats.”
- The Hawks plan to hire Onsi Saleh away from the Warriors to be an assistant general manager, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Saleh was Golden State’s VP of basketball strategy and team counsel, Woj adds. According to Stein, Saleh was a “highly regarded salary-cap specialist” with the Warriors. The hiring won’t impact the job status of current assistant GM Kyle Korver, per Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
I don’t see Young winning a Championship. He has tried hard at his D but it is not happening. Maybe the Spurs with Wemby in the paint can. We shall see!!
Spike, the first half of your post explains perfectly why the Spurs will never trade for him. Returning Murry would make more sense, but it won’t happen either.
Agreed, Murray makes way more sense for the Spurs should the Hawks blow it up…
Trae is a better offensive engine. He wants a pick so he can get a layup, a floater or an open three then if all fails he’ll look for a lob or kick it to an open shooter. Wembanyama would be a perfect pairing offensively. Murray likes to iso so that he can dribble way too much into a mid range jumper. Neither are consistent shooters look comfortable off ball.
Sure Trae gets torched defensively but Murray while better than Trae got exposed as a point of attack defender since coming to Atlanta.
They tried trading Murray and even with his team friendly contract their weren’t any acceptable offers. Murray had one great season as the best player on a bad team while Trae has always been the best player on a mediocre team. Sure Murray seems to have a better attitude but Trae has more talent.
They are not going to get a lot for Trae. He is a 3rd option most top teams, maybe even 4th.
Media will keep saying LAL, but they are getting D’Lo or Reaves back in the deal. Maybe Hood since he never played. LAL has no real 1st and won’t be a team that ever tanks.
SAS can draft a pg and fit the timeline better.
Nets will still be a play in team
Utah meh
Murray fits more teams because he can play defense. He is good with and without the ball.
It isn’t whether or not he’s a 3rd or 4th option, it’s that he needs the ball in his hands all the time to be effective at all and gets routinely torched on D.
I don’t see any team wanting to take on his salary unless Atlanta attaches picks.
Yeah if he is not a primary option he is not useful. I don’t think he runs around screens often like a Curry. Young needs the ball to get his points and I don’t think his assist make others better.
This is it in a nutshell. He puts zero effort into team play unless he is on ball. He does not move around the floor, he just stands, watches, occasionally pouts, and makes faces at his teammates for not bringing the ball to him.
He is an absolute coaches tape on how NOT to play defense. He doesn’t keep his body between his man and the paint. He just plays ‘ole and tries to slap it away as his man glides effortlessly by him.
He can be an absolute highlight reel, but it takes more than that to win games.
Oops. I mean Trae is the best player in the NBA and multiple teams should be willing to trade multiple first rounds picks to my .. err .. THE .. Hawks. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Should the Suns trade Booker for Trae young?
To beat the Wolves today,
If bench guy Alexander plays far better than Booker, Eric Gordon needs to play like Luka Doncic
This will further depress Lavine’s value, as AK will wait too long and try to get too much until some desperate team takes Trae instead of Lavine.
That’s a really desperate team…
Would love to see Trae Young go to the Miami Heat.
Think he fits that culture they have down there.
Think he’d work really well playing with Jimmy and Bam who cover for him a lot on defence while he provides a big part of the offence.
Tyler Herro hasn’t taken that leap we all wanted and Miami has been on the look out for another star to form that big 3 for a while now.
The deal I’d try make is,
Trae Young and AJ Griffin for Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, 2 firsts, 2 pick swaps and 2 seconds.
Miami:
Trae Jaquez Jimmy Martin Bam
Rozier JRich Griffin Jovic KLove
ATL they get back Herro who could slot in at SG next to Murray and work really well for them. On top of that they get a bunch of picks.
Then fire sell off a bunch of the vets (Bogdan, Hunter, Capela and Robinson) for more picks or upgrades if you can. If not Hunter SF, Bogdan back to a sixth man role. Capela vs Okungwu at centre continues and Robinson goes back to collecting DNP’s