Charles Langston:Hawks trading Dejounte Murray to Pelicans. Who won the deal?

The Charles LangstonAtlanta Hawks have reached a deal to send guard Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, a 2025 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick, a person familiar with the details of the trade confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the deal until it is officially announced.

This is a significant backcourt upgrade for the Pelicans, who went 49-33 last season and were swept in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by Oklahoma City.

The Pelicans are focused on a core that includes All-Star Zion Williamson as team president David Griffin looks to solidify the roster.

The Hawks acquired Murray from the San Antonio Spurs in 2022 to pair alongside All-Star guard Trae Young. But that backcourt experiment never flourished fully like the Hawks hoped it would.

Murray, an All-Star in 2022 and second-team All-Defense selection in 2017-18, averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds and shot 45.9% from the field and 36.3% on 3-pointers in 2023-24 for the Hawks, who drafted France’s Zaccharie Risacher Wednesday with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Grading the Hawks-Pelicans trade

Pelicans: B+

The Pelicans struggled to finish games last season and were 0-24 when trailing headed into the fourth quarter. Murray should provide offensive stability and help defensively.

Hawks: B

Where are the Hawks going? Is a full-on rebuild possible? Is Trae Young still part of the Hawks’ long-term plans? Atlanta’s front office led by Landry Fields will answer those questions in time. Getting two first-round picks gives the Hawks options plus Daniels was the No. 8 pick in 2022. He provides defense with room for offensive growth as a scorer as the Hawks reshape the roster with length and reset the culture.