Despite the difficulty of deciding to trade Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields understands that he faces more challenges this offseason.
The NBA draft brought Atlanta two new players, including Zaccharie Risacher as the No. 1 overall pick. A trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday added four veterans and two future first-round draft picks in exchange for Murray.
Now, the Hawks have a crowded roster, and there’s a chance that more veteran players could leave Atlanta.
Fields mentioned on Wednesday that trading Murray was part of reshaping the team. He described the decision as tough but necessary for the team’s long-term goals.
“We knew that achieving our goals would require some difficult choices,” Fields said. “So, from now until the start of the season, we’ll have more tough decisions ahead.”
The Hawks haven’t won a playoff series since reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2021 and finished 10th in the Eastern Conference this season with a record of 36-46.
Fields began reshaping the roster by trading AJ Griffin to Houston and acquiring Serbian guard/forward Nikola Djurisic in the draft.
Risacher, a 6-foot-9 forward from France, joins Trae Young and Jalen Johnson as the core pieces for the team’s rebuild. Risacher has made a strong impression in recent workouts for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
“He’s a great shooter,” Djurisic said of Risacher. “He can make some incredible shots and block shots as well.”
Forward E.J. Liddell, a second-round draft pick in 2022 and part of the group of veterans acquired from the Pelicans, praised Risacher’s potential, saying he has the ability to become a great player.
“He’s a tough scorer,” Liddell said. “He’s tall, so it’s hard to defend his shots. And he handles the ball well for someone his size.”
Liddell, who will also play for the Hawks’ Summer League team, joined guard Dyson Daniels, forward/center Larry Nance Jr., and center Cody Zeller in Saturday’s trade. Daniels was a first-round pick in 2022.
The trade has left the Hawks with many options at center. There’s been talk that Atlanta might trade Clint Capela, who has shared playing time with Onyeka Okongwu.
Fields mentioned he was negotiating with center Bruno Fernando to extend the deadline to guarantee Fernando’s $2.72 million salary for next season.
Capela, 30, is set to earn more than $22 million next year before possibly becoming a free agent. “I still see Clint as a valuable player, so everything should be fine,” Fields said.
Daniels is known for his strong defense and could join Bogdan Bogdanovic, Garrison Mathews, Seth Lundy, and others at shooting guard, a position previously held by Murray. Lundy signed a new two-way contract on Tuesday.
Risacher could challenge De’Andre Hunter right away at small forward. Fields hopes Risacher uses the Summer League to adjust to playing a different style of basketball.
Risacher, 19, said he’s “very excited” to transition from European to NBA basketball.
“There are so many differences between the two,” Risacher said. “First of all, it’s bigger here. And the way we play is different, which is good. It’s really interesting for me to explore and play here with all these great players.”
