Generally, NBA teams dread the “mediocrity treadmill”. A team at the bottom of the standings will at least have the opportunity to land talent in the lottery. On the other hand, a team that’s stuck in the middle doesn’t have that luxury – and they won’t contend for the title either.
With that said, tanking isn’t an option for everybody. Some teams owe their first-round picks to other teams moving forward. In that event, they won’t be able to mine the lottery for talent. In that situation, why would a team want to lose?
So, teams in that situation may prefer to pivot. They’re not going to scrap their entire roster and rebuild – they may hope to improve by shaking things up. The Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks are two teams that owe much of their future draft capital out. Could they get together and shake things up with a big trade?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets receive: G Dejounte Murray, 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks receive: G/F Mikal Bridges, F Royce O’Neale
Others will say that the middle isn’t so bad. At least these teams are competitive. Some fans are especially critical of tanking.
That’s understandable. It’s unfortunate to watch teams that are intentionally losing games. It’s contrary to the competitive nature of sports. With that said, as long as the league has a lottery system, teams will look to exploit that system.
Meanwhile, there will likely always be a lottery system. The league needs a mechanism to help the worst teams improve. With that said, if the Nets keep losing, only the Houston Rockets benefit. Can this deal help them avoid sending the Rockets a lottery pick?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
We’re not sure. It’s worth noting that Brooklyn could use a point guard. As constructed, they don’t have a reliable primary playmaker. That’s led to long bouts of stagnant offense for the Nets throughout 2023-24.
Bridges has been their focal point. As a result, his defense has suffered. Bridges has finite energy like anyone else. He is supposed to be a 3-and-D with secondary shot creation. He’s overtaxed as Brooklyn’s first option, and it’s showing on the defensive end.
So, moving him for Murray makes sense. He can orchestrate this team’s offense. Meanwhile, the Nets are adding an unprotected first to a strong collection of draft capital. Should the Hawks send them that pick?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
A 3-and-D wing that provides secondary shot creation. Isn’t that the ideal partner for Trae Young? By contrast, Murray is ball-dominant. That’s made him a questionable fit alongside the Hawks’ dynamic floor general.
Bridges would be a much better fit. He doesn’t need the ball to impact the offense. This is the type of backcourt partner that the Hawks should have targeted to pair with Young in the first place. Bridges’ plus positional size will help offset Young’s size as well.
Meanwhile, O’Neale should be a valuable rotation piece for this team as well. In the end, this deal should help get the Hawks off the mediocrity treadmill. What could be more valuable than that?
