Eddie Johnson blames Trae Young for Dejounte Murray’s departure from the Hawks: “They turned out not to be such good friends anymore”
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The Atlanta Hawks' inability to achieve an above .500 record in the past two seasons despite having two guards, each of whom averaged 20+ points per game in both seasons, raised speculations about the team's chemistry. Moreover, the recent trade of Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans has prompted further reflection on this situation. Eddie Johnson, in hindsight, expressed regret over overhyping the potential of Trae Young and Murray as the best backcourt duo in the East. The former 6MOTY blamed Trae for Murray's departure on Sirius XM NBA Radio.
"I am disappointed I said that could be the best backcourt in Eastern Conference when those two got together, and only reason I said it was because it was pretty much known that they were friends," Johnson said. "Sure, when they got together, they turned out not to be such good friends anymore. Trae Young, maybe can do that to you."
Is Young to blame for Murray's departure?
The Hawks faced a significant challenge in integrating Trae and Dejounte, two ball-dominant players, into a cohesive offensive strategy. Apart from 'iso-ball' being their primary game plan, the team suffered due to the 'your-turn, my-turn' style of play. Despite having eight players averaging points in double-digits, they ranked 17th in 3-point efficiency and 21st in field goal efficiency, which justifies how they could not make the most of every player's offensive effort.
On the other hand, they fared even worse defensively, ranked as the fourth-worst defensively rated team in the 2023-24 season.
While Atlanta boasted depth on their bench, they struggled to find players who could effectively complement each other's strengths. Subsequently, the fact that Dejounte's improved scoring average and 3-point shooting failed to elevate Atlanta's overall record justifies just that. And the fact that he featured as the team's second ball handler to Young even worsened the situation.
The decision to trade Murray indicates the Hawks' commitment to building around Young. However, it would be unfair to solely blame Young for the one-time All-Star's departure. Management's responsibility largely lies with failing to assemble a roster that could maximize the potential of their star duo.
That being said, it's easy to see where Johnson's viewpoint comes from. Considering Trae already had Lloyd Pierce, Nate McMillan, and Quin Snyder as head coaches, it's no surprise he has gotten a reputation for being tough to work with as a leader.
Murray and Hawks are better off each other
The Hawks' most successful period, when they reached the EC Finals (in 2021) occurred when Young was paired with a dynamic forward like John Collins, who allowed the 6'1" point guard to excel in pick-and-roll situations and even make use of lob passes around the rim as well. This type of playing style complements Trae's ability better than Murray's.
Conversely, Baby Boy's move to the Pelicans is more beneficial for him as he can have more ball possession. Having said that, the Hawks' situation only underscored a crucial lesson. Assembling talented scorers is insufficient for success if their playing styles are incompatible.