The Lakers, Heat, and Hawks could come together on a landscape-shifting three-team trade before the deadline.
The NBA trade landscape shifted significantly following the recent transfer that sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks, marking the second major trade this season. Anticipated to remain active until the trade deadline on February 8, the market continues to buzz. Teams such as the Lakers and the Heat are actively seeking opportunities to strengthen their rosters.
Despite expressing interest in acquiring Dejounte Murray, the Lakers have yet to finalize a deal. Similarly, the Miami Heat have been in pursuit of a new starting point guard since the previous trade deadline but have been unsuccessful in pursuits involving players like Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. Considering the Lakers’ interest in a Hawks player, the Heat might explore the possibility of getting involved in negotiations, aiming to potentially acquire Trae Young from Atlanta.
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Nikola Jovic, 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2030 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Miami Heat Receive: Trae Young
The Hawks have loaded up on serviceable NBA players, young talent, and draft picks in this trade, giving them complete control of their future. Meanwhile, the Lakers and Heat inch closer to contending in their respective conferences.
The Atlanta Hawks Enter A New Era
In the Trae Young era, the Atlanta Hawks have experienced a notable playoff run amidst several seasons of mediocrity, often ending as a non-playoff team or exiting in the first round. Young’s tenure in Atlanta has been marked by off-court issues, including difficulties with coaches and defensive shortcomings. While he excels in shooting and playmaking, his offensive skills overshadow his defensive contributions. However, the Hawks have struggled to construct a team around Young and might consider trading him before his value declines, with potential discussions for Dejounte Murray already underway.
Proposed as part of a trade involving the Hawks’ starting backcourt, the team would receive five players in return. D’Angelo Russell, despite averaging 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, has faced challenges securing a consistent starting role in LA. Rui Hachimura has encountered similar obstacles, averaging 11.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Duncan Robinson has regained his form from 2020, averaging 14.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Nikola Jovic holds promise as a young standout but has lacked opportunities for development in the Heat’s rotation.
The standout acquisition in this trade would be Tyler Herro, demonstrating continuous growth in his game. Herro is averaging 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season, albeit hindered by injuries. His improved defensive skills, ball-handling, and playmaking abilities could position him as a valuable asset for the Hawks to retain. While the fate of the other players in the trade remains uncertain, Herro seems like a player Atlanta should prioritize for their long-term plans.
The Lakers Add A Shooter And A New Point Guard
Since LeBron James joined the Lakers in 2018, the team has been seeking a reliable point guard presence. The only season they had a reasonably effective guard rotation featuring Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo, the Lakers secured a championship. However, subsequent players like Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder haven’t quite filled that role. Dejounte Murray might just be the solution they’ve been looking for.
Murray is currently averaging 20.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season. His compatibility issues alongside Trae Young have limited the Hawks, preventing them from reaching their full potential. In LA, he’ll benefit from the leadership of LeBron James, who has expressed admiration for Murray’s playing style. The move to the Lakers could potentially inspire Murray to elevate his defensive game, a skill he was known for when he entered the NBA but has somewhat faded during his time in Atlanta.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, averaging 17.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists this season, has been a player the Hawks have previously attempted to offload to other teams due to salary concerns. The Lakers, in dire need of a sharpshooter like him, could benefit from acquiring Bogdanovic in a trade.
The Miami Heat Add A Superstar Guard To Fulfill Their Championship Dream
The Miami Heat have reached the NBA Finals twice in the last four seasons but have yet to secure a championship title. Despite possessing considerable talent, they lack that extra edge to become the dominant force in the Eastern Conference. Despite inconsistent regular seasons, the Heat consistently pose a threat in the playoffs. They aim for more stability throughout the year, and acquiring Young would provide them with a reliable foundation for regular season success, potentially securing a top-four seed in the East.
Young’s current season averages of 28.3 points and 11.3 assists mark one of his most impressive statistical performances to date. However, despite his individual brilliance, the Hawks have struggled, holding a 13-19 record. If the Heat manage to bring in an offensive catalyst like Trae, they could emerge as frontrunners in the Eastern Conference. Miami places a strong emphasis on team defense, a collective ethos that everyone is expected to uphold, and Young might be sufficiently motivated to improve his defensive efforts while playing in Miami.
Despite Young’s acknowledged defensive limitations, the Heat boast a formidable roster around him. Players like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo rank among the NBA’s top defenders, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. has displayed glimpses of defensive prowess himself. With Young spearheading the offensive charge, the Heat could be on the cusp of realizing their aspiration to claim another NBA Championship.
Two Contenders Are Born Out Of This Trade
In the grand scheme, the likelihood of the Hawks trading Young appears remote and highly unlikely at this point. However, if such a scenario were to materialize, a team like the Heat would aggressively pursue the opportunity. Although Young might not incite a fierce bidding war given the abundance of star guards in the NBA, the Heat would be at the forefront should the Hawks decide to trade him this season.
The prospect of trading Murray seems more a matter of timing than uncertainty, especially as the Hawks lack a star frontcourt player to complement Young, hindering their progress. Given the limited availability of such players for the Hawks, a strategy of resetting and refining a competitive team with greater depth could serve as an interim solution. Continuously leveraging the players they acquire in trades could yield significant returns for the Hawks.
Murray could seamlessly fit into the Lakers’ setup with his defensive prowess, scoring skills, and adept ball handling. The pivotal query remains: can he assume the role of a championship-caliber point guard? While his most successful season was with last year’s Hawks, resulting in a first-round playoff exit, his potential as a target for the Lakers exceeds that of players like Zach LaVine, primarily due to Murray’s on-ball capabilities and his age, making him a more desirable option.
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