The transfer comes because the Hawks have seemed to make massive modifications to their roster regardless of them buying Murray, an all-star guard, solely two years in the past to pair with fellow all-star Trae Younger.
In two seasons, Murray averaged 21.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He additionally developed his recreation on the surface, flattening a better quantity of jumpers constantly. He made a career-best 35.5% of his 3-point photographs on 6.2 makes an attempt per recreation. Murray signed a four-year, $114 million extension with the Hawks final offseason.
The Hawks wanted to decide concerning the way forward for the partnership between Murray and Younger. Regardless of lofty objectives for the 2 to seek out methods to play off of one another, they simply couldn’t discover a path the place their abilities meshed.
In 2022, the Hawks despatched three first-round picks to the Spurs for Murray, a steep worth for a participant and questioned as Murray and Younger are each ball-dominant guards. The Hawks by no means improved with the addition as they completed 41-41 in 2022-23 and 36-46 final years. Annually they certified for the play-in match of the playoffs. They misplaced within the first spherical in 2023 and misplaced within the play-in recreation towards the Bulls final season.
The backcourt duo of Murray and Younger struggled when paired. Opponents outscored the Hawks by 6.3 factors per 100 possessions when the 2 guards performed collectively. When Murray performed with out Younger, the Hawks had a .8-point benefit. When Younger performed and Murray sat, the Hawks outscored opponents 3.1 factors per 100 possessions.
Although the Hawks have moved on from Murray, they do get some measurement again within the backcourt in Daniels, who’s getting into his third 12 months. The Pelicans chosen the 6-foot-8 Australian with the eighth decide within the 2022 NBA Draft and the younger guard struggled to crack the rotation after capturing 31.2% from 3-point vary in his first two years.
Daniels has room to proceed rising into one of many NBA’s high defenders. He has robust defensive instincts, lateral quickness, energy, size and really feel for defending angles and the Pelicans typically matched him up towards the opposing group’s high initiator, particularly within the absence of Herb Brooks.
Daniels has two extra years on his rookie deal, one among which is a membership choice.
Credit score: AP
Credit score: AP
The Hawks additionally acquired Nance, who gives them with extra front-court depth and a veteran presence. Nance, a nine-year veteran, can play at each the 4 and the 5 however has logged most of his minutes as a middle. He averaged 5.4 factors final season, 5 rebounds and shot 41.5% from 3.
He has only one 12 months remaining on his two-year, $21.5 million contract.
The Hawks nonetheless have to increase qualifying presents to Saddiq Bey, Vit Krejci and Dylan Windler earlier than the June 29 deadline or they’ll develop into restricted free brokers. Additionally they need to resolve or prolong the deadline to ensure heart Bruno Fernando’s contract. Additionally they have must resolve whether or not or not they’ll decide up Garrison Mathew’s membership choice.