The Atlanta Hawks continue to break the New Yorks Knicks’ hearts after trading for San Antonio Spurs’ All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to pair with Trae Young.
The Knicks lost their bid for the Spurs’ triple-double threat guard to a Hawks package consisting of Danilo Gallinari’s expiring $21.45 million contract and three future first-round picks — 2023 first-round pick via Charlotte, and their own 2025 and 2027 first-round selections — and a 2026 pick swap, per ESPN report.
Ironically, the Charlotte pick used in the trade was acquired from the Knicks in the Cam Reddish trade.
A Brunson-Murray pairing could have solidified the Knicks’ backcourt, which has been their weakest link for years. Instead, they will have to deal with Murray and Young in the competitive Eastern Conference.
The Hawks have beaten the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs two seasons ago, spawning a bitter rivalry with Young emerging as New York’s new villain.
The Knicks have a surplus of first-round draft picks. They have 11 over the next seven drafts. But they have already dealt all their veterans on team-friendly deals except for Taj Gibson, who could be waived and re-signed to a veteran minimum.
The Knicks have been shopping former lottery pick Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier, but the Spurs were not interested in taking back long-term deals and a young player who is extension-eligible.
The Knicks have opened up $33.9 million in cap space after dumping Kemba Walker, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel in two separate deals to the Detroit Pistons, attaching a total of six second-round picks and $6 million cash.
They are expected to land Brunson on a four-year deal reportedly worth $110 million.
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