The Atlanta Hawks made their biggest offseason move yet by re-signing All-Star Dejounte Murray to a four-year, $120 million contract. This ensures that their backcourt All-Star Trae Young and Murray will be around for the next four seasons.
Although this is a good start to the offseason, the Hawks are looking to add a third star player in Pascal Siakam. Siakam is rumored to be available, and the Falcons have recently been trying to trade for him. Indeed, with Murray now locked up, they may renew their efforts to acquire Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. Even though the Hawks sent four of their test assets to the San Antonio Spurs to acquire Murray last summer, they may still have enough for another big trade.
Building Trading Atlanta Toronto by Pascal Siakam.
Raptors
Galen Johnson, DeAndre Hunter
2024 first-round pick (via SAC)
Mr. Okongwu
In this hypothetical trade that he proposed NBA analyst and writer Jake Weinbach, The Hawks will give up three players recently selected in the first round of the NBA Draft as well as a Kings first round pick. With starting center Clint Capela still under contract for two more seasons, the Falcons can afford to transfer Onyeka Okongwu if it means a promotion elsewhere.
While the Raptors just re-signed Jakob Poeltl to a four-year, $80 million deal, Okongwu is five years younger and could soon prove to be a cheaper alternative at the position. Meanwhile, De’Andre Hunter is one of the best 3D wingers in the NBA. Plus, with three years left on his deal after next season, he’ll give Toronto insurance in case they decide to trade OG Anunoby rather than pay him after next season.
In addition to these cost-controlled players is Jalen Johnson, an intriguing mix forward with two years left on his rookie-scale deal and a first-round pick expected in the early-to-mid 20s. With Siakam likely to attract significant free agency interest after next season and almost certain to earn about $40 million annually in his next contract, Toronto will likely prefer cheaper players who control cost so they can plug and play without making a significant step behind.
For the Falcons, the addition of a siakam would allow them to field a highly skilled senior three that could raise their bar significantly. With Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Milwaukee all threats in the East, Atlanta can put themselves in the mix rather than being a marginal playoff team. It would be expensive but with a salary cap increase soon and Young and Murray already under contract for another four years, a Siakam extension is possible and could look like a two-season deal.
Overall, there are enough things to like about this deal for both teams. With Toronto potentially transferring Siakam and the Hawks looking to improve their roster, don’t be surprised if a deal happens between the two teams.
- Posted on 09/07/2023 at 13:00 PM
- Last updated on 07/09/2023 at 19:58 PM