5 Pressing questions Atlanta Hawks must answer before 2023-24

1. Can the Trae Young-Dejounte Murray Duo Work Long-term?

When the Atlanta Hawks traded three 1st round picks (plus a pick-swap) for Dejounte Murray last offseason, it’s safe to say that they envisioned their season going better than it did. The Hawks now must determine whether the explosive backcourt duo can work together as a long-term championship-level duo (and if the two want that as well). Much of this season was marred with inconsistency and learning pains between the two.

Overall for the season, the numbers weren’t bad for the duo- Trae Young averaged 26.2 points, 10.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game, but his shooting splits were down from normal at 42.9%/33.5%/88.6%. Dejounte Murray meanwhile averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game on 46.4%/34.4%/83.2% splits. However, the aforementioned inconsistencies, and a hard-to-explain disappointing season defensively from Dejounte Murray, hindered the duo’s debut season together.

Then after the regular season, the duo began to flash their potential in the playoffs. For example, Trae Young went for 36-6-9 while Dejounte Murray went for 25-6-5 (with both shooting over 50% from the field) in the Hawks’ Game 3 win over the Celtics. That is what the Hawks envisioned when they made the Murray trade.

Another part of this that can’t be ignored, is that a major question for the Hawks is whether both of these players themselves want to return. I personally believe that some of the reports surrounding Young and Murray’s unhappiness/potentially wanting out were overblown, but it is definitely something that the Hawks must be cognizant of.

I personally think that the duo needs another season together. I definitely don’t think it’s time for the Hawks to move on from Trae Young (look at what he did in Games 3-6 in the playoffs against the vaunted Celtics defense). I also think that too much of an investment was made into Murray to just dump him for a loss.

The potential for the duo remains high in my opinion, and I don’t think it is worth splitting them up so early. It would take a significant piece returning (more on that later) for me to be willing to accept the Young-Murray duo being split up after just one season.