Hawks Need Do-Over, But That Doesn’t Mean Trading Trae Young, Dejounte Murray

But things can continue as is. Three years after making it to the Eastern Conference finals, the Hawks aren’t even in the playoffs. They changed coaches (Nate McMillan to Quin Snyder). They changed front offices (now Landry Fields). They added Dejounte Murray to Trae Young and traded John Collins to the Utah Jazz.

Yet another season was spent spinning their wheels, pro basketball’s version of running on a treadmill. Now there are rumors they may be open to dealing Young, with the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs among those who could be in pursuit.

But is that really the answer?

Well, maybe. The Hawks did go 12-11 this season in the games Young missed. So they weren’t horrible without him. Then again, that’s an awfully small sample size in an 82-game season.

Anyway, there’s no doubt that Young is a remarkable player (on offense, at least). So is Murray. It’s the type of backcourt for which teams long. The only reason we hear their names in trade rumors isn’t because the Hawks are desperately attempting to move them. It’s mostly because the mainstream media and other teams want to see them moved.

Truth is, though, the Hawks might be better off building around their two stars. You can trade everyone else. You don’t need a “third star.” You just need better “fits.” That means people who can play off Young and Murray better than the current cast.

But when a team struggles, the first thing opposing GMs ask about is your best players. 

The Hawks don’t need to give in to that. They do need to do something, though.

They know it, other NBA teams know it, the entire basketball-loving universe says it must be done. 

So what should the Hawks do? Well, I’d start by talking about De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela. Find out what you can get for them. Keep Young and Murray, despite all the experts wanting you to split them up. Build around stars. Trade the rest.

It sounds boring, and opposing GMs won’t like it. But you want what they have. If you’re the Atlanta Hawks, that’s a start. Now go get what you want.

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