Dejounte Murray trade just keeps getting better and better for the Spurs

It's safe to say that the Spurs won the 2022 Dejounte Murray trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Although the Hawks have rebounded nicely from the disastrous trade, they are still feeling the aftereffects of the deal while the Spurs are reaping the benefits.

For those who don't recall, the Spurs traded Dejounte Murray to the Hawks in a deal that included Danilo Gallinari, 2025 and 2027 unprotected first-round picks, and a 2026 pick swap. Getting two unprotected firsts and a pick swap for Murray was a clear overpay, and the Hawks quickly moved on from Murray just two seasons later.

Meanwhile, that move allowed the Spurs to bottom out and end up with the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and select Victor Wembanyama. They also got a lottery pick out of the deal, which turned into Carter Bryant, and could have two more good picks thanks to that trade.

With a pick swap this season and the Spurs off to a better start, it's likely that they could move up at least five spots in the 2026 NBA Draft thanks to Atlanta. And with uncertainty surrounding star Trae Young's future with the team, it's unclear how they will look next season when they will owe the Spurs another unprotected first-rounder.

The Spurs are reaping the benefits of the Dejounte Murray trade

Looking back at that trade, that move beautifully set the table for the Spurs' current roster. Had GM Brian Wright not made that move, the Spurs would have been stuck in mediocrity for several more seasons, possibly with little to show for it.

Instead, he took Murray, fresh off his first—and only—all-star appearance, and flipped him to the highest bidder for top dollar. Doing so turned a middling team into one of the worst teams in the league ahead of a pivotal draft.

Of course, had the Spurs not landed the first overall pick in 2021, then that trade might not look nearly as good as it does now, but they put themselves in that position, and they did get the number one overall pick and drafted Wembanyama.

Spurs are set up to win thanks to homerun trade with Hawks

Wright followed that up with several fantastic moves, including the homerun Harrison Barnes trade. However, the Murray trade served as the turning point in the team's rebuild, helping them land Wembanyama and even helping them acquire De'Aaron Fox.

The Spurs traded the Sacramento Kings their own 2027 first, knowing that they were owed an unprotected first from the Hawks. That makes this the trade that keeps giving for the Spurs.

Ultimately, the Spurs have already won the Murray trade, and the Hawks still owe San Antonio two more assets. With any luck, the Spurs could move up several spots in this year's draft and end up with a pick in the teens thanks to the Hawks, who no doubt regret trading for Murray by now.