The NBA trade market was shaken up after the second major trade of the season saw OG Anunoby make his way to the New York Knicks earlier this week. It seems the market will stay active until the trade deadline is crossed after February 8. In the meantime, teams like the Lakers and the Heat will be hoping to find the right moves to bolster their squad.Â
The Lakers have shown an interest in Dejounte Murray but haven’t found a way to make the deal a reality. Similarly, the Miami Heat have been on the hunt for a new starting point guard since the last trade deadline but have whiffed on the likes of Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. With the Lakers wanting to take a Hawks player, maybe the Heat can also get involved to try and pry Trae Young away from Atlanta.Â
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Nikola Jovic, 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2030 First-Round Pick (MIA)Â
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Dejounte Murray, Bogdan BogdanovicÂ
Miami Heat Receive: Trae Young
This trade sees the Hawks load up on usable NBA players, young talent, and draft picks which gives them full control of their future. Meanwhile, the Lakers and Heat take one step closer to contention in their respective conferences.
The Atlanta Hawks Enter A New Era
The Atlanta Hawks have one signature playoff run in the Trae Young era, surrounded by years of treading water and being either a non-playoff team or a first-round exit. Young has also had various off-court issues in Atlanta, struggling to get along with coaches or improve his game defensively. He’s a one-note offensive player, though his shooting and playmaking are arguably among the best in the NBA. But the Hawks have struggled to build around Young and could move off him now before his value tumbles. They’re already looking at possible deals for Dejounte Murray.
In a deal that sees the Hawks lose their starting backcourt, they get back five players. D’Angelo Russell is averaging 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this season, struggling to cement a starting spot in LA. Rui Hachimura has been having similar struggles, averaging d 11.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Duncan Robinson has found the form we saw him display in 2020 and is averaging 14.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Nikola Jovic is a star young prospect with a high ceiling, but the Heat have had no space in their rotation to develop him.
The real prize of this deal is Tyler Herro, who has continued growing his game over the years. He’s averaging 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season but has struggled with injury. His improved defense, ball-handling, and playmaking could make him an interesting piece for the Hawks to maintain. The others may stay or go, but Herro is a player Atlanta should hold on to for the long term.
The Lakers Add A Shooter And A New Point Guard
The Lakers have needed a steadying presence at point guard ever since LeBron James came to the tea in 2018. The one year they had a somewhat serviceable guard rotation with Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo, the Lakers went on to win a title. In the years since the likes of Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder haven’t been able to fulfill that role. Dejounte Murray might be the answer.
Murray is averaging 20.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season. His incongruent fit next to Trae has put a ceiling on the Hawks that they just can’t seem to break through. On the Lakers, he will have a team leader in LeBron James who has previously shown his admiration for Murray’s game. Hopefully, a move to LA motivates Murray enough to also step up his defense, something he was known for when he broke into the NBA but has been missing from his game in Atlanta.
Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a player the Hawks have previously tried to salary dump to other teams without many takes. In a season where he’s averaging 17.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, the Hawks could send him to the Lakers that desperately need a specialist shooter like him.
The Miami Heat Add A Superstar Guard To Fulfill Their Championship Dream
The Miami Heat have been to two NBA Finals in the last four seasons but are yet to have a ring to show for it. They have the talent to be the best in the East but need something to put them over the top. Even with underwhelming regular seasons, the Heat are a playoff threat. They need more stability throughout the year and adding Young gives them a baseline of regular season success they can achieve to secure a top-four seed in the East.
Young is averaging 28.3 points and 11.3 assists in one of his most impressive statistical seasons to date. However, it’s not leading to wins as the Hawks sit with a 13-19 record. If the Heat can acquire an offensive engine like Trae, they might be the favorites in the East. The team defense ethos is something everyone has to live up to, and Young will likely be motivated enough to at least try harder on that end of the ball in Miami.
Even with his inherent defensive limitations, the Heat have a very strong roster around Young. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are two of the best defenders in the NBA and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. has shown he defensive flashes himself. With Young as the offensive focus, the Heat could finally achieve their dream of winning another NBA Championship.
Two Contenders Are Born Out Of This Trade
Overall, the concept of the Hawks trading away Young may seem improbable and nearly impossible right now. But if there was a deal to be made, a team like the Heat would be the team to pursue it aggressively. Young won’t necessarily cause a bidding war given the amount of star guards in the NBA right now, so the Heat would be the team in pole position if they were to trade Young away this season.
Trading Murray seems to be a question of when and not if anymore, as the Hawks won’t go anywhere without a star frontcourt player next to Young. Not many are available for an asset-strapped Hawks franchise, resetting and re-tooling a competitive team with more depth may be an intermediate solution. If they were to continue flipping the players they receive, the Hawks could have an incredible haul to show for three players.
Murray could be the perfect fit for LA with his defensive intensity, scoring ability, and ball handling. The question is, can he become the point guard on a championship contender? The best-winning team he’s been on was last year’s Hawks, a first-round exit. But if the Lakers are considering players like Zach LaVine, who has also peaked at the same level so far, Murray should be a better target for his on-ball ability and age.
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