Sixers: Ranking each NBA team’s top duo in 2022 offseason

17. Hawks: Trae Young and Dejounte Murray

Prior to this offseason, the Atlanta Hawks had a long-time tandem of Trae Young and John Collins as their dynamic duo. They are one of the best pick-and-roll partners in the NBA, but they’re no longer the best duo on the Hawks.

This summer, Atlanta acquired Dejounte Murray from the Spurs. Like Young, Murray is also a point guard so there are questions about fit and clearly both players will have to sacrifice some of their offense to make this new duo work.

“Young will have to make the bigger sacrifice as it would be in the Hawks’ best interest if he plays off the ball more moving forward.”

For Murray, he has to become more of a facilitator, which shouldn’t be a problem for the guy who averaged a near triple-double last season. While he has improved as a 3-point shooter over his career, he’s going to have to continue to do so heading into this season.

Young will have to make the bigger sacrifice as it would be in the Hawks’ best interest if he plays off the ball more moving forward. That means he has to embrace the Stephen Curry type of role with him spotting up as well as moving a lot without the ball. If he can do that then the Hawks can be successful with this new duo.