Dejounte Murray joins Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young via major trade

The Atlanta Hawks are adding an All-NBA player to help Trae Young following a major trade for Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski explained that the Spurs traded Murray for Danilo Gallinari, three first-round picks and a future pick swap — while the Hawks get one of the best young guards in the league to pair with Young.

Dejounte Murray joins Trae Young in Atlanta

The Hawks were able to secure a trade that they had been pursuing for some time, and without giving up John Collins as initial trade rumors indicated. The Spurs fully enter a rebuild as they lose their All-star guard while the Hawks are adding a major piece in a potential championship run.

Murray has dramatically improved over the past three seasons after suffering a season-ending ACL tear in 2018. In 2019, Murray averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists — jumping to 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists last season. Murray’s defense improved as well, finished with 2.0 steals per game last year.

Atlanta finished 8th in the Eastern Conference last season and met the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs — where they were taken down 4-1 for a quick exit.

Trae Young welcomes Dejounte Murray to Atlanta

Young and Atlanta fans across the league are excited by the huge acquisition, and Young himself reached out to Murray on Twitter to welcome him to the team. With Murray bolstering the Hawks’ backcourt and providing additional defense, Young is playing with one of the best talents in the league for the first time this year.

This 💩 just got real

Let’s get busy my Brotha😤@DejounteMurray pic.twitter.com/D9DBBvtGml

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) June 29, 2022

Ultimately, the price point for Murray was a haul of draft picks as the Spurs enter what appears to be a rebuilding mode with head coach Gregg Popovich entering his 26th year on the NBA sideline. Popovich became the winningest coach of all time last season and will now be tasked with developing a cast of young stars without Murray.