Spurs won't pull off another miracle after latest Dejounte Murray trade wrinkle

The San Antonio Spurs sadly missed out on swapping for a lottery pick from the Dejounte Murray trade after the Hawks late season surge. This deal hasn’t gone to plan for either side. It was announced as three first round picks and a swap going to San Antonio. The Spurs only got two and now just move up from 29th to 19th or 20th overall this year. They can't get lucky in the lottery again because SA doesn't have an eligible selection. The pick will be determined by a drawing before the lottery.

The Spurs took Carter Bryant with the final pick in the lottery in 2025. They will swap this year and still have Atlanta’s 2027 first unprotected. The young Hawks will likely only improve around Jalen Johnson, so this trade likely finishes with the Spurs getting another selection in the 20s next year.

Carter Bryant has played well as a rookie and looks like the best piece San Antonio will get from this deal. The Spurs won this trade. Murray has struggled to repeat the success he had with the Spurs. San Antonio did well at selling high, but it was quite the monster haul fans thought it would be.

Spurs barely moved up in the 2026 draft from the Dejounte Murray trade

San Antonio doesn’t need another guard. Stephon Castle is a future All-Star who is already surpassing Murray. Dylan Harper has the tools to be a star and will only improve. The Spurs traded for a star guard in De’Aaron Fox, and he’s arguably the perfect fit for San Antonio.

They were wise to trade Murray when they did. Things didn’t work out in Atlanta, so the 29-year-old is now in New Orleans. The Hawks did get two first-round picks in return and Dyson Daniels. Atlanta was happy with the return, but doesn't want to be paying San Antonio for a player no longer on their roster.

Here are the specifics of the Dejounte Murray trade between the Spurs and Hawks.

Gallinari was waived before every suiting up with the Spurs. San Antonio was heading into a rebuild. They wanted to collect draft picks and did not need a veteran bucket-getter.

The Spurs only got two firsts and a swap for Murray. It looks like the 14th overall pick in 2025 will be the highest selection. San Antonio hit on that lottery selection and has more than replaced Murray. The Spurs are a serious title threat and will only improve from here.

The Dejounte Murray trade is still a massive win for the San Antonio Spurs, but things keep getting worse. This felt like a guaranteed second lottery pick when the Hawks traded Trae Young, but their young core reached new heights and pushed Atlanta to the playoffs. Credit to Onsi Saleh and the Hawks. They are building and hope to reach the Spurs level in short order.

Sadly, the Hawks being good hurts San Antonio, but nothing will get the Spurs down. They have Victor Wembanyama and are just entering title contention on another potential dynasty. There won't be another lottery miracle from this trade, but it was a massive win. The Spurs should be thankful for that.