In 2021, the Atlanta Hawks had a surprisingly good season.
They finished the regular season 41-31 and upset the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, winning Game 5 and Game 7 in Philly.
This season, Atlanta regressed to the mean, going 43-39 and losing in the first round of the playoffs to the top-seeded Miami Heat.
The team has been considered to be full of potential, but now, it has taken a big step forward by nabbing All-Star Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading Danilo Gallinari and multiple first-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022
The Hawks will certainly have one of the best and most exciting backcourts in the NBA with Murray playing alongside Trae Young, who put up 28.4 points and 9.7 assists a game this season.
They may not be championship contenders, but they are building the foundation to become just that.
Murray Is One Of The NBA’s Brightest Young Stars
After he was a first-round draft pick in 2016, Murray’s first few pro seasons were quiet.
He recorded just 3.4 points in 8.5 minutes a game as a rookie, and only improved to 8.1 points in 21.5 minutes per game the following year.
Murray was forced to sit out the entire 2018-19 campaign due to a torn ACL, but soon after he returned, he started to take off.
This season, he put up 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game en route to his first All-Star Game selection.
At 6-foot-4, he is quick and explosive, and his activity and production will give Atlanta a bouncy and very energetic guard duo.
These Dejounte Murray Highlights! 👀 pic.twitter.com/b3xsAjVAmJ
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 23, 2022
Murray is also a good defender, and his quick hands allowed him to average 2.0 steals per game this year, which led the entire NBA.
The Hawks ranked just 26th in defensive rating in 2022, and they sorely need someone like Murray who can be a game-changer on that end of the floor.
Atlanta will have to tweak its style of play in order to accommodate Murray.
It ranked 20th in pace this year and 23rd in 2021, and it will need to become a true fast-breaking team in order to unlock the full talents and skills of both Murray and Young.
But their combined potential is clearly immense.
Atlanta Still Needs More Pieces
Hawks fans shouldn’t get cocky and expect their team to suddenly be able to beat the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, or Miami Heat when it matters.
Atlanta could still use more production at both ends of the floor from its frontcourt for it to become a true title contender.
Some feel the team will take a big swing at Deandre Ayton, the Phoenix Suns center who no longer seems like a fit out west.
… Could the Hawks still be in on DeAndre Ayton?
Clint Capela, one of Bogdanovic and Huerter and their own 2023 first?
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 29, 2022
Adding Ayton just may be the move to catapult the Hawks into the elite class of the Eastern Conference – although Ayton doesn’t stretch the floor, he is a big presence in the paint, especially offensively.
Just as Chris Paul has done the last couple of years, Murray and Young could make it easy for Ayton to feast inside on many easy baskets.
For the first time in decades, the Hawks will, at the very least, have an exciting team that many around the league will enjoy watching.
NEXT: Hawks Reveal Surgery Update On A Key Player