The Atlanta Hawks enter the 2023-24 season in an interesting position. Atlanta traded John Collins away during the offseason and they aren't expected to seriously compete in the talented Eastern Conference. The Hawks still have stars like Trae Young and Dejounte Murray on the roster, however. Although Murray's first season playing alongside Young in 2022-23 had its ups and downs, the duo could take a step forward this season. Murray recently addressed his partnership with young heading into the new campaign.
“Trust me when I say this. I say this from the work we've put in, the attention to detail that we both, not just me and him (Young), the whole team, we're speaking about me and Trae… We are on the same page,” Murray said, via Sirius XM NBA Radio. “Last year it was tough because it was a new situation for me. But not only me, it was him as well. He was always just the primary ball-handler… Adding me in, it's an adjustment period.
“You gotta adjust. It's the NBA.”
Hawks: Trae Young and Dejounte Murray looking for big 2023-24 season
Murray was looked at as one of the NBA's most underrated players during his time with the San Antonio Spurs. He offered a versatile style of play that led fans to believe he was destined to be a star. Atlanta took notice and ultimately acquired him from the Spurs.
Murray, now 27, played in 74 games during the 2022-23 season. He posted strong numbers during his first year with the Hawks, averaging 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Again, it was a good season. However, it was also a decline from his 2021-22 performance when he averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest.
As Murray said though, it was an “adjustment period.” Learning to play alongside another star guard can prove to be a challenge at first.
Young, on the other hand, performed fairly well but saw a decline in his shooting efficiency. He averaged 26.2 points per game but shot just 42.9 percent from the field and 33.5 percent on his three-point attempts. Young did average the highest assist mark of his career, dishing out 10.2 dimes per game.
Perhaps both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray will balance their games out in 2023-24 and help the Hawks play a competitive brand of basketball. Even if they both perform at elite levels competing in the East will prove to be a daunting task. That said, the Hawks won't go down without a fight.
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