Atlanta Hawks

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly traded All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, which raised eyebrows across the league.

However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that the Spurs decided to part ways with Murray because it was inevitable that they'd lose the 25-year-old.

"He and his agent, Rich Paul, made it known that he was not going to extend his contract with the Spurs this summer," Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast.

Murray signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Spurs in 2019. He has two years remaining on the deal and is set to earn a base salary of $16.6 million next season, per Spotrac.

Windhorst said Murray was not discontent but knew he'd be worth more than what San Antonio could afford.

"And that wasn't really necessarily about the Spurs," Windhorst said. "His contract is about $16 million on average. When you extend your contract, you're limited into how much of a raise you can get. And it would've been probably below his market value as a 25-year-old All-Star. But he pretty much told them—he's like, 'I'm probably not going to extend next summer either.'"

The Spurs reportedly acquired three first-round picks and a future pick swap along with veteran forward Danilo Gallinari from the Hawks. While losing Murray is a major blow for San Antonio's chances to compete for a playoff spot next season, the franchise is set up for the future with nine first-round picks over the next five years.

The Atlanta Hawks made a major splash Wednesday when they reportedly acquired combo guard Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hawks gave up veteran forward Danilo Gallinari, three first-round picks and a future pick swap to land the 25-year-old.

Murray is coming off the best year of his career and finished second in NBA Most Improved Player voting. He was named to his first All-Star Game as an injury replacement and averaged career highs of 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists and an NBA-best 2.0 steals.

Fans and analysts lauded the acquisition for the Hawks, many believing that Murray's presence will work wonders for Atlanta star point guard Trae Young.

Murray will certainly improve the Hawks on both sides of the ball. Atlanta had the sixth-best offense in the NBA last season (113.9 PPG) but ranked 21st in defense (112.4 PPG). Murray will try to change that as he takes on the role of lead perimeter defender.

It was just two years ago that the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Young has proved capable of carrying the team for stretches, but Murray's presence is sure to take some pressure off and make life a lot easier for him.

The road to the postseason in the East will not be easy by any means with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the conference. But the addition of Murray alongside Young gives Atlanta a strong chance of competing against the elite teams.

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly agreed to trade guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday in exchange for forward Danilo Gallinari, three first-round picks and a future pick swap.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the news. The Hawks were one of several teams negotiating trades with the Spurs for Murray in recent weeks as San Antonio seemingly embarks on a full-scale rebuilding effort.

Rumors regarding Murray's status with the Spurs have been swirling for several weeks. The All-Star guard has even gone so far as to acknowledge the rumors on social media.

San Antonio's motivation to move Murray seems curious at best. He's coming off a career-best season, posting averages of 21.0 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals while playing stellar perimeter defense.

The Spurs also have Murray under a team-friendly deal that will pay him $34.2 million over the next two seasons.

While this is clearly the beginning of a full-scale rebuilding effort, Murray doesn't turn 26 until September and still will be well within his prime when the Spurs plan on competing again.

The 2023 NBA draft features forward Victor Wembanyama, one of the most touted prospects in recent memory, and another potential superstar in guard Scoot Henderson. It's possible the Spurs feel they would be too good with Murray in the fold to have a realistic shot at landing a top-two pick.

That said, the fact the Spurs were in this position calls into question their team-building strategy of the last few years. There were calls for the franchise to begin its rebuilding stage in 2018 when Kawhi Leonard requested a trade. Rather than take a package of picks and young players, the Spurs instead chose a package highlighted by DeMar DeRozan, who allowed the team to remain competitive but stuck in the purgatory of mediocrity.

The Spurs made the playoffs in DeRozan's first year with the franchise but were ousted in the first round before failing to make the postseason each of the last three seasons. It's fair to argue the Spurs never would have been in a position to need to trade Murray if they chose the correct path four years ago.

There is also the matter of whether 73-year-old Gregg Popovich has the stomach for a rebuild that will likely take him into his late 70s.

As far as the Hawks go, this is a no-brainer. Murray fills two of the team's biggest needs, perimeter defense and a ball-handler who can help take the load off Trae Young's shoulders. The Charlotte first-round pick is protected picks 1-16 next season and lottery-protected through 2025; it can't even get the Spurs in the Wembayana race.

The two Hawks' first-round picks project out of the lottery for the foreseeable future, barring some cataclysmic series of injuries or a falling out with Young.

As it stands, Atlanta gave up three picks that project to be in the late teens to mid-20s and a veteran expiring contract for a 25-year-old All-Star. It's nothing short of a home run.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins has reportedly piqued the interest of multiple teams on the trade market in recent weeks.

According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings have all checked in on Collins.

Moore noted that while the Hawks were shopping both Collins and veteran forward Danilo Gallinari leading up to the 2022 NBA draft, nothing materialized due largely to a tepid market.

Collins, 24, has been a constant subject of trade rumors over the past couple of years, and the whispers grew louder following an up-and-down 2021-22 season for the Hawks.

Atlanta signed Collins to a five-year, $125 million extension after helping the team go on a Cinderella run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, but last season didn't go according to plan for Collins or the Hawks as a whole.

The Hawks barely reached the playoffs with a 43-39 record and got eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat.

Meanwhile, Collins had his lowest scoring average since his rookie season with 16.2 points per game to go along with 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 three-pointers made and 1.0 block. He also shot a career-low 52.6 percent from the field.

Collins had an even tougher go in the playoffs, averaging just 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in five games.

There was clearly a disconnect between Collins and the Hawks last season, as Shams Charania of The Athletic reported in January that Collins had grown "increasingly frustrated" with his role and "challenged the Hawks locker room on several occasions."

Chris Kirschner of The Athletic added fuel to the fire last week, reporting that a source close to Collins said he is "done in Atlanta."

While Collins has some deficiencies, particularly on the defensive end, the 6'9" forward could be a big-time addition for any number of teams.

He is just two years removed from averaging a career-high 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds in 41 games during the 2019-20 season, showing what he can do when utilized properly.

The Celtics, Bulls and Kings would likely all feature Collins prominently, although to varying degrees.

Boston reached the NBA Finals last season before falling to the Golden State Warriors, and while Collins would undoubtedly be a starter, he would probably be the third scoring option behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The Bulls were a playoff team last season, but they lack a true power forward, so Collins would be an ideal fit and perhaps the No. 2 scoring option behind DeMar DeRozan unless Zach LaVine returns in free agency.

Sacramento is in the midst of a 16-year playoff drought and could use a splashy addition like Collins to get back on track.

Collins would give the Kings one of the NBA's most exciting frontcourt duos alongside Domantas Sabonis, and few teams would be able to match up well with them.

Although the Collins-Hawks relationship hasn't been at its best recently, trading him would leave Atlanta with a huge hole on the roster and no clear No. 2 scoring option behind All-Star guard Trae Young.

The 2022 NBA draft is done, but the roster changes are just getting started this offseason.

Few teams could be in for a bigger overhaul than the Utah Jazz, which already lost head coach Quin Snyder after he stepped down earlier this month following eight seasons.

That left the future of star player Donovan Mitchell in question as well, considering ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the guard was "surprised and disappointed" about the departure of Snyder.

Wojnarowski also described Mitchell as "unsettled, unnerved and wondering what it means for the franchise's future."

Simply running things back with the core of Mitchell and Rudy Gobert probably wouldn't mean a championship in that future. After all, the Jazz did not advance past the second round of the playoffs despite making the postseason in each of Snyder's last six seasons. That includes a second-round loss in 2020-21 when they finished with the best record in the NBA at 52-20.

In addition to the clear ceiling in place, there have been multiple reports of tension between the two star players and no shortage of rumors about whether one or both will be traded.

Sean O'Connell of SiriusXM reported in May that Gobert reached a "him or me" point with Mitchell, while Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported in June that Utah has "been one of the more active teams during early offseason trade conversations."

Fischer noted many of those discussions were about Gobert since "Utah has not entertained rival teams' overtures to steal away All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell."

The big man seems the more likely trade candidate than Mitchell, who is still just 25 years old and a franchise cornerstone under contract through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26. He has the offensive skill set to be a go-to option for years to come, while the defensive-minded Gobert is limited on that end of the floor and someone who is ideally surrounded by other elite talent.

That means teams with impressive offensive guards who need help on the defensive side should be seen as the most likely landing spots for Gobert.

Enter the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls.

Fischer mentioned both Eastern Conference squads as teams that were interested in the 29-year-old, and it's not difficult to see why. Chicago has a two-time All-Star big man in Nikola Vucevic it could include in the deal and would immediately bolster the interior defense.

If the Bulls do end up bringing back Zach LaVine, they will need a rim-protector like Gobert since DeMar DeRozan and LaVine are not exactly renowned for their shutdown defense on the wings.

Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are better known for their defense, but they both dealt with health issues last season and may not be on the floor together as often given the importance of LaVine and DeRozan to the offensive attack.

Chicago also went perimeter with its only pick of Thursday's NBA draft when it selected Arizona's Dalen Terry at No. 18 overall.

Atlanta also has an All-Star on the perimeter who isn't an all-world defender in the shape of Trae Young.

While the 23-year-old can carry the team to victory on any given night with his outside shooting and overall offensive game, the Hawks would be much better with someone like Gobert to help cover for his defensive mistakes.

Like the Bulls, the Hawks didn't load up down low in Thursday's draft either and went with a wing in Duke's AJ Griffin (No. 16).

Atlanta and Chicago are also looking to take another step into the discussion of serious Eastern Conference contenders and could be in "buy" mode with the chance to land a three-time Defensive Player of the Year down low.

As for Mitchell, a pair of Eastern Conference teams also stand out as potential destinations even if the Jazz reportedly aren't interested in trading him.

It was clear throughout the Eastern Conference Finals that Jimmy Butler could use some offensive help if the Miami Heat are going to take the next step and win a championship.

Kyle Lowry is past his prime, and Mitchell would give the Heat a third All-Star-caliber player alongside Butler and Bam Adebayo in the Eastern Conference race.

Elsewhere, the New York Knicks are further from a championship than Miami but could use a star player in a major market desperate for a contender. They also landed multiple picks in draft-day trades that may be used in future moves.

New York has won one playoff series since the 1999-2000 season and took a step back in 2021-22 after reaching the postseason the prior campaign. Mitchell would give the team its best player since Carmelo Anthony and someone who could actually lead it deeper into the playoffs.

John Collins may not be long for the Atlanta Hawks.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Monday the possibility of Collins being traded is "as high as it's ever been":

"He was one of the league's most-talked-about trade targets this season until Atlanta ultimately decided to shut down all Collins discussions before the Feb. 10 trade buzzer when the team started to pull out of its 17-25 start. The trade chatter has since only intensified since Atlanta's meek first-round exit to Miami in five games.

"I've been advised that relocation for Collins this offseason is pretty much expected now."

Collins averaged 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 2021-22. He also shot 52.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc.

One year into the five-year, $125 million extension he signed with Atlanta, the 6'9" forward is largely living up to the terms of his contract.

Two factors are making it likely Collins will be playing elsewhere when the 2022-23 season begins, though.

Coming off a five-game series loss to the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Hawks clearly need to upgrade their roster. That isn't easy when they're projected to have a $151.3 million payroll before factoring in any new deals.

Trading Collins can either yield a return that helps Atlanta win now or clear some money off the books, which would make it easier to chase free agents this offseason or the next. The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported the Hawks are attempting to acquire a mid-lottery pick, with Collins potentially moving to make that happen.

The other issue clouding Collins' future is that he may never have the kind of status he's seeking on the team. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported in January he had "grown increasingly frustrated over his role in Atlanta."

The 24-year-old attempted 11.9 shots per game, his lowest rate since his rookie season, and his usage rate (20.5 percent) told a similar story, per Basketball Reference.

Trae Young is clearly the No. 1 option on the Hawks, and there are a lot of other mouths to feed between De'Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari and Kevin Huerter.

Another franchise might be better positioned to make Collins a centerpiece of the offense.

The Sacramento Kings have reportedly discussed acquiring Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins ahead of the 2022 NBA draft.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Kings would not be including the No. 4 pick in Thursday's draft in a Collins trade.

The Hawks have explored Collins trades off and on for years, although they have yet to deal him. Collins signed a five-year, $125 million extension last offseason, but he was once again the subject of trade speculation around the trade deadline.

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin recently dismissed Collins trade rumors during an appearance on the Dukes & Bell Show, saying "I would say it starts with Bull and ends with..." before trailing off.

With that said, there have been so many Collins trade rumors—and so many different reporters making similar suggestions—that it would be a surprise if the Hawks weren't at least open to a trade.

The Kings would not be the most seamless fit, as they just traded for Domantas Sabonis at the deadline and already have Richaun Holmes on the roster. Even if Holmes were part of a trade for Collins, a Sabonis-Collins frontcourt seems like a potential defensive disaster.

Sacramento could offer up the expiring contract of Harrison Barnes as part of a deal, which would give Atlanta some wing help and long-term salary relief. The Hawks spent last offseason trying to build upon their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals appearance, so adding the older, lesser player in Barnes feels like an unlikely solution.

The Atlanta Hawks could be looking to move up from No. 16 to get an impact player in the 2022 NBA draft.

According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, "discussions have occurred" with the Portland Trail Blazers to potentially acquire the No. 7 pick.

If the Hawks do move into the top 10, they could target G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels, who Kirschner called arguably the best perimeter defender in the draft. The Australia native averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals in 14 G League starts last season.

Daniels could complement Hawks star Trae Young as a near opposite player on the court.

The prospect struggled as a shooter (25.5 percent from three-point range), but he has the size (6'6") and defensive ability to cover Young's weaknesses without taking away touches on the offensive end.

Atlanta could be aggressive in the June 23 draft as it tries to upgrade its roster after a disappointing season.

The Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, but they barely made the playoffs in 2022 through the play-in tournament. They lost to the Miami Heat in five games in the first round.

Young finished fourth in the NBA in scoring and third in assists per game while earning his second All-Star selection, but Atlanta clearly needs more help in order to take the next step toward contention.

The team is unlikely to find an impact player ready to contribute at 16, which could force the front office to either trade up or deal the pick for a proven commodity.

Portland, meanwhile, is coming off a brutal 27-55 season while missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Damian Lillard remained on the roster, but the team dealt most of its remaining talent including CJ McCollum, Norman Powell and Robert Covington.

Trading the No. 7 pick for more assets could help the Trail Blazers' long-term rebuild around Lillard.

The Atlanta Hawks have promoted Landry Fields to general manager after serving as assistant general manager for the last two seasons, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 33-year-old will continue to work under Travis Schlenk, who maintains his title of President of Basketball Operations. Schlenk had also worked as the team's general manager since joining the organization in 2017.

Fields spent five seasons as a player in the NBA with the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors before moving into an off-court role.

The 2010 second-round pick earned a spot on the All-Rookie team with the Knicks after averaging 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. His production slowed over the next few years, and he played his last NBA game during the 2014-15 season.

Fields eventually joined the San Antonio Spurs front office in 2016, working as a college scout for three years before becoming the GM of the Austin Spurs, the Spurs' G League affiliate. One year later, the former Stanford player earned a role with the Hawks.

Atlanta will now look to continue its progression toward contention following a massive rebuild under Schlenk.

The Hawks had the worst record in the East in 2017-18 and have now reached the playoffs in back-to-back years, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.

The squad will return much of its production in 2022-23, including young stars Trae Young, John Collins and De'Andre Hunter. There will still be some tough decisions this offseason while currently sitting $90.5 million over the salary cap, worst in the NBA.

Atlanta also has the No. 16 pick in the first round of the draft on June 23.