Early in the 2024-25 season, the Atlanta Hawks look like a much different team than last season. They play more inspired defense as a whole and the wealth is being spread offensively. This is partly due to Trae Young’s maturation process. However, many believe that the team’s decision to trade Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans is another reason for these improvements.
In late June, the Hawks traded Murray to the Pelicans in exchange for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., a 2025 first-round pick (via the Los Angeles Lakers), and a 2027 first-round pick (the least favorable of the Pelicans’ and Milwaukee Bucks). At the time, the trade seemed to favor New Orleans and overwhelmingly so. However, the play of Daniels —and to some extent Nance —has put that into question.
It doesn’t hurt that Murray has been out for all but one game after fracturing his hand during the season opener.
Final Verdict For Hawks-Pelicans Trade Still Not In
Entering the 2024 offseason, nobody knew for sure who the Hawks would trade.
All people felt certain about was that they would trade one of Young or Murray, as their pairing hadn’t worked out as well as they hoped. It’s a credit to Murray that he made the Hawks even consider moving Young, who had been the face of the franchise for a few years. However, in the end, Atlanta decided that Murray was the one getting shipped off.
To many, this signaled that the Hawks functioned better with Young as the head of the snake. This very well may be true. Nonetheless, the trouble Atlanta had finding a trade partner for Young suggests that their hand was forced. At the very least, they were open to an alternative route.
Who can blame them?
It’s not just that there were legitimate concerns about Young’s defense, shot-selection, and intangibles. Murray was also superb when Young was sidelined for an extended stretch, averaging 24.8 points, 9.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 36.4 percent from 3. He scored 40 or more points twice in a week’s time, and scored a career-high 44 points in a win over the Boston Celtics.
In that time, the Hawks were 12-11.
That isn’t the best record in a vacuum, even considering Young’s injury. Yet, it was a drastic turnaround for a team that was 24-32 up to that point. It was even more impressive considering that they took down the Celtics twice. On top of that, Atlanta had begun playing staunch defense. Out of the seven games that they held their opponents to 100 or fewer points, six of them happened while Young was out.
Court Adjourned…
So, as far as whether the Hawks won the trade?
Daniels’s superiority at the defensive end can’t be denied. Their comeback win against the Celtics was an exhilarating display of disruptive defense and mental fortitude. Nonetheless, it’ll take more than that for Atlanta to say they won the trade. At this point in the season, they’re 5-7 and they have a bottom-five defense statistically.
The other pieces of the trade do make the discussion more interesting.
Nance has gotten off to a hot start in Atlanta, averaging 10.1 points per game on a league-best 73.7 percent shooting from deep. His numbers may not be sustainable but his two-way impact and leadership off the court are. The first-round pick that the Hawks are set to get from the Lakers is currently projected to be 23rd overall. Los Angeles does look improved from last season. However, health concerns and growing pains could lead to a slide down the standings.
Still, until the Hawks prove themselves to be a bonafide playoff team, they can’t say they’ve won the trade. Not in the least because while Daniels is less ball-dominant than Murray, he’s also less of an off-ball threat, so there are still questions about his backcourt fit. A career 30.5 percent three-point shooter, Daniels is currently shooting 26.8 percent from downtown
