Grade The Shocking Trade Where The Denver Nuggets Send Jamal Murray To The Atlanta Hawks

The Denver Nuggets are desperately searching for the right players to help them get back to the NBA Finals since they fell in the second round last season to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will not help their championship aspirations, but perhaps looking for a blockbuster trade will. Jamal Murray was critical to their 2023 championship run but struggled last season with the Nuggets in the playoffs (20.6 PPG on 40.2% FG and 31.5% 3-PT FG) and also in the Olympics in Paris (5.7 PPG on 33.3% FG).

On a salary that pays him over $36 million in 2024-25, perhaps the Nuggets could look for some fresh blood at point guard. The man in question is All-Star Trae Young . Young of the Atlanta Hawks is one of the best offensive players in the NBA and the Nuggets could negotiate a trade to acquire him. The Hawks believe in their young core of No. 1 overall pick Alexandre Sarr and the budding Jalen Johnson, so a new leader in Jamal Murray would be a welcomed addition.

Trade Details

Denver Nuggets Receive: Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks Receive: Jamal Murray, 2031 First-Round Pick

This trade sees Trae Young leave Atlanta and join forces with superstar Nikola Jokic while the Hawks make a drastic change to their starting lineup. While we won’t often see star point guards switch teams in the modern NBA, let’s break this deal down and give it a grade.

Denver Nuggets Revamp Their Offense With A Superstar

The Denver Nuggets have thrived with Jamal Murray alongside Nikola Jokic, forming one of the NBA's most dynamic duos. However, acquiring Trae Young presents a unique opportunity to elevate their offense to new heights. Young is an offensive juggernaut, averaging 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. His ability to create shots for himself and others is unmatched, making him a perfect fit alongside Jokic, who thrives with playmakers around him.

While Murray was critical in the Nuggets' 2023 championship run, his recent playoff struggles and poor shooting performances at the Olympics raise concerns about his long-term fit as the team's primary ball-handler. At the same time, Murray is a free agent after the 2024-25 season and he will likely demand a max contract worth over $200 million so the Nuggets might not want to commit that amount of money to a player who hasn't made an All-Star Team by the age of 27, as good as he is. Committing that amount of money to a younger player with more star power seems like the better option for a title-contending team that has an all-time great in Nikola Jokic.

Trae Young would add a different dimension to Denver’s offense with his elite range and playmaking skills. Jokic is already one of the best facilitators in NBA history, but adding Young would allow the Nuggets to have two primary creators on the floor at all times, making their offense nearly impossible to defend. Young’s ability to operate in pick-and-roll situations would complement Jokic’s versatility, giving the Nuggets the ability to exploit mismatches more effectively. This could make Denver's offense even more lethal, as they already ranked first in the league in offensive rating during the 2023-24 regular season.

However, trading for Young isn’t without risks. His defensive limitations are well-known, and pairing him with Jokic could expose the Nuggets to defensive lapses. Yet, Denver’s front office might believe that Young’s offensive upside outweighs these concerns, especially with elite defenders like Aaron Gordon still on the roster. If this gamble pays off, the Nuggets could find themselves back in the NBA Finals, with a revamped offense that could redefine how the game is played.

Atlanta Hawks Get Their New Leader And Floor General

For the Atlanta Hawks, acquiring Jamal Murray signals a significant shift in their team’s identity. Murray brings championship experience, leadership, and a proven ability to perform in clutch moments. His playoff heroics in Denver, including his 26.1 points per game during the 2023 title run, make him an ideal leader for a young Hawks squad. With Trae Young gone, the Hawks can now hand the reins to Murray, whose more balanced style of play might benefit a team looking to make the most of their young core, including Alexandre Sarr and Jalen Johnson.

Murray’s ability to score efficiently, combined with his defensive tenacity, gives the Hawks a more well-rounded approach. Despite his shooting struggles in the recent playoffs and Olympics, Murray has proven capable of stepping up when it matters most. His 39.6% three-point shooting in the 2023 postseason is a testament to his scoring prowess when healthy. The Hawks also benefit from the extra first-round pick in 2031, which could be used as an asset to further bolster their roster in the future. With Murray’s leadership and experience, the Hawks could solidify themselves as a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

This trade also provides Atlanta with an opportunity to focus more on team-oriented basketball rather than relying on a single superstar. While Young’s scoring and playmaking will be missed, Murray’s unselfishness and ability to play off the ball could lead to better offensive flow and increased opportunities for the Hawks’ young talent to develop. Ultimately, this trade gives Atlanta a fresh start with a player who has proven he can win at the highest level, positioning the Hawks to build a more balanced and cohesive team moving forward.

What Grade Should This Trade Be?

Denver Nuggets: B

The Nuggets receiving Trae Young is a bold move that could reinvigorate their offense. Young’s elite playmaking and scoring ability complement Nikola Jokic's unique skill set, potentially making Denver’s offense even more potent. However, there are concerns about Young’s defensive weaknesses and how he will mesh with Jokic’s style of play. While Young’s arrival could lift the Nuggets to new heights, trading away a proven playoff performer like Jamal Murray for a player with defensive limitations makes this a risky move. The grade reflects the high upside but also acknowledges the potential pitfalls.

Atlanta Hawks: B-

For the Hawks, acquiring Jamal Murray provides leadership and championship experience, which could be valuable for a young team. Murray’s defense and more balanced game might make Atlanta a more well-rounded team, but his recent shooting struggles are a concern. Additionally, losing Trae Young means giving up a player who is one of the most dynamic offensive talents in the league, which could hurt the team’s overall firepower.

Add in the fact that Murray is almost two years older (27) than Young (25), and there could be some concerns about longevity considering the former's injury history. The Hawks also gain a future first-round pick, which is a nice asset but doesn’t fully offset the loss of Young. The grade reflects a solid move with potential benefits, but one that carries significant risk given Young's departure.

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