One of many greatest strikes of the whole offseason occurred when the Atlanta Hawks traded guard Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for a package deal that included Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance and a pair of draft picks. first spherical, together with an unprotected choose. the 2025 NBA Draft and it belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Hawks did not have their very own choose for 2025 because of Dejounte Murray’s preliminary deal in 2022 and they’ll now preserve a detailed eye on what the Lakers do that yr.
One analyst believes the Pelicans could remorse the transfer as a result of energy of the 2025 NBA Draft. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report listed The transfer is one among 10 NBA offseason strikes that might go horribly unsuitable:
“The New Orleans Pelicans may help the Lakers this season because the crew opted to incorporate Los Angeles’ 2025 first-round choose in its deal to acquire Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks.
In a draft with Duke’s Cooper Flagg and several other sturdy prospects, could not the Pelicans have despatched a distinct first (just like the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025 with top-four safety)? The Lakers initially despatched this choose to the Pelicans as a part of the Anthony Davis commerce, and Los Angeles probably is not a depth participant this season.
However an harm to one among Los Angeles’ stars may flip this choose into one thing particular. It most likely received’t come again to chew New Orleans, however it’s a possible remorse.”
Relying in your opinion of Dyson Daniels, the Lakers’ unprotected choose could possibly be the crown jewel of the Murray commerce to the Hawks and it may find yourself being very helpful for Atlanta.
First, the Western Convention is loaded and there’s no assure the Lakers will even earn a play-in spot. OKC, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, New Orleans, Minnesota, Golden State, Memphis, Houston, Sacramento and even groups just like the Clippers and Spurs will compete for playoff spots within the West. It could possibly be argued that solely Portland and Utah are the one groups unable to make the playoffs within the West. Even when the Lakers stay absolutely wholesome, there isn’t a assure that they may be capable of take part within the play-in event, which might imply they might take part within the extremely anticipated NBA Draft Lottery this yr.
Whereas the Lakers will not have as poor a file as Brooklyn, Washington, Portland, Utah, Detroit and different doubtlessly lottery-bound groups, you possibly can’t look additional than Atlanta to see what it could possibly imply to only be within the Lottery. Atlanta entered the 2024 NBA Draft lottery with only a 3% probability of touchdown the highest choose and so they obtained it. It is unlikely to occur once more, however in a draft with a prospect as sizzling as Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Atlanta goes to take any extra lottery assist it could possibly get.
The choose may find yourself within the first spherical later if the Lakers make the playoffs, however you do not have to look exhausting to see how the Hawks could possibly be the massive winners with this choose, even when it isn’t not #1. take.
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