Hawks ‘retool’ with draft picks in three-team trade involving Trae Young

Trae Young Hawks

Most Hawks fans expect big changes to come to Atlanta this offseason, with many assuming one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray will be traded.

The backcourt duo hasn’t worked out as the club had hoped. Travis Schlenk was cautious to make the deal with the Spurs, but ownership pushed it through anyway, and it’s gone terribly.

The All-Star point guards are excellent players separately but don’t bring out the best in one another when they’re on the court together. A case could be made for the Hawks to build around either of them.

For Trae Young, it’s obvious. He’s the more dynamic player that has proven capable of leading a team on a deep playoff run. Young’s offensive pedigree makes up for his defensive liabilities. On the other hand, Dejounte Murray is much cheaper and under contract for longer while also offering more two-way versatility than his counterpart.

One other thing to consider is the potential trade markets. If Trae Young nets a haul in return, the Hawks have to ponder moving the greatest player this franchise has seen since Dominique Wilkins.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently drummed up a three-team trade idea that would involve the Hawks, Magic, and Nuggets and would completely retool Atlanta’s chest of draft picks.

Magic Receive: Trae Young and Michael Porter Jr.

Magic Lose: Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick

Hawks Receive: Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, a 2024 first-round pick from Denver, a 2025 first-round pick from Orlando, a 2027 first-round pick from Orlando and a 2029 first-round pick from Orlando

Hawks Lose: Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanović and a 2030 first-round pick swap with Denver

Nuggets Receive: Jonathan Isaac, Bogdan Bogdanović and a 2030 first-round pick swap

Nuggets Lose: Michael Porter Jr. and a 2024 first-round pick


Essentially, the Hawks are giving up Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic for a pair of young guards and four first-round picks.

Four first-round picks, Cole Anthony, and a prospect in Anthony Black who is one year removed from being a first-round pick in exchange for Trae and Bogi is the type of package the Hawks would have to mull over.
In this scenario, the Hawks could slowly rebuild with those draft picks around Dejounte Murray, Jalen Johnson, and the No. 1 overall pick or they could package some of those first-round picks in another win-now type of move.
Moving Trae Young and keeping Dejounte Murray, who is under contract longer, would give Atlanta the option to slow play the offseason.

Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire

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