The Atlanta Hawks were one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA during the 2023-24 season. Their big move to acquire point guard Dejounte Murray during the 2022 offseason did not yield as positive of results as the team had hoped.
As a result, some major changes were on the horizon this offseason. After finishing 36-46 and getting eliminated in the NBA Play-In Tournament, adjustments were necessary.
Their offseason got off to a hot start with Lady Luck on their side during the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery. The ping pong balls defied the odds, resulting in the Atlanta Hawks coming away with the No. 1 pick.
With that selection, they picked Zaccharie Risacher. In most offseasons, landing the first overall pick would be the most impactful move.
But, for the Atlanta Hawks, it was one of a few big changes the team made to their roster. In the opinion of ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the most impactful move made by the franchise this offseason was trading away Murray.
After two seasons of the failed Murray/Trae Young backcourt, something had to give. NBA Rumors swirled that it could be Young on the move, but the team remains committed to him as the face of the franchise.
As a result, Murray was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a deal that helped the Atlanta Hawks in more ways than one.
“The trade broke up the backcourt pairing of Murray and Trae Young, but also saw Atlanta get under the luxury tax and begin to build back its draft assets.
The Hawks still owe the San Antonio Spurs their own 2025 and 2027 unprotected firsts (the Spurs also have the right to swap firsts in 2026) but now have a valuable unprotected 2025 Los Angeles Lakers first. They also have the least favorable of New Orleans’ or Milwaukee’s first in 2027,” Marks wrote.
The Atlanta Hawks didn’t get back as much as they traded away for Murray, but it was a solid haul nonetheless. That 2025 Lakers pick could have serious value given how daunting the Western Conference is going to be this season.
Not having their own first-round picks is far from ideal. But, the Atlanta Hawks should be better in the coming seasons.
Alas, they saw firsthand even a semi-competitive team can make a jump to the top of the board. In this year’s draft lottery, they had only a 3.0 percent chance of landing the first pick and came away with it.
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