When the Atlanta Hawks miraculously won the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft with an astonishing 3% ultra-low probability, the event was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples of public opinion. However, from a professional basketball perspective, this is undoubtedly a forward-looking and intelligent strategic layout for the Eagles. Not only did it deftly crack the Detroit Pistons' ploy to acquire high draft picks through bad tactics, but it also set off a new wave in the basketball world, showing that the team can forge a new path to revival through wisdom and courage, even without the blessing of a strong record.
However, the mediocre quality of this year's roster has made the No. 1 pick a little bleak, and according to Woshen, the No. 1 pick has become an important bargaining chip for the Hawks to rebuild their roster in the offseason. Against this backdrop, ESPN's draft experts Jonathan Givony teamed up with Jeremy Woo to launch a new mock draft list to unveil the mystery of future basketball stars for fans.
The backcourt duo may be forced to put on the shelf, however, Trae Young's trade priority is much higher than Murray's. The All-Star guard, who averages 25.6 points and 10.8 assists per game, is undoubtedly a favorite in the market. His departure may bring new vitality and hope to the Eagles and lead the team to a more brilliant future. In this fierce basketball feast, the Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly the brightest frontrunners. They have attractive chips, including 2024 and 2029 first-round picks, as well as prized 2030 first-round swaps, and are waiting for a trade with the Hawks. Not only that, but Lakers management also has another expectation in mind, which is to add Rivers to the negotiation map and add more variables to this deal.
Trae Young, the star who wrote a legend at Atlanta, will be burdened with a whopping $34 million salary next season. In the face of such salary pressure, Lakers general manager Pelinka may use Russell's trump card as a bargaining chip in the trade. Russell, the player who is expected to jump out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, hasn't caused much of a stir in the recruitment market, and it doesn't seem like it will be easy to get a lucrative contract. However, for the Lakers, this is a rare opportunity. At that time, the Lakers can use their own advantages to reach a new contract with Russell that is both long-term and valuable, making him Trae Young's right-hand man in the trade. Such a move has undoubtedly injected more possibilities and vitality into the future of the Lakers.
As for whether this sharpshooter with no arrows can successfully hold hands in Los Angeles and fight side by side with Zhan Mei, we don't know for the time being. However, one thing is certain, and that is that the San Antonio Spurs have been knocked out of the fray. Previously, the interest in the city's top defenders burned like a fire, but an assertion from HoopsHype's Michael Scotto was like cold water that made Spurs fans' fantasies come to naught. While many fans and media have speculated, if Wembanyama and Trae Young can join forces, it will be a wonderful combination that complements each other. However, the reality is cruel and unforgiving, the two teams have not started a substantive trade conversation about it, and those gossip before the trade deadline are just rootless trees and water without a source after all.