Hawks guard Dejounte Murray has a “substantial” group of teams interested in his services in early trade talks around the NBA, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, who hears from sources who say Atlanta seems focused on retooling its roster for a playoff push rather than rebuilding.
As Fischer explains, the Spurs continue to be linked to Murray, but they likely don’t have the types of players that would appeal to Atlanta in a possible deal. The Bulls discussed the concept of a Zach LaVine trade for Murray, but the Hawks didn’t show much interest in that idea, sources tell Fischer.
Multiple league personnel view the Nets as an “ideal” landing spot from Murray’s side of the equation, but Brooklyn hasn’t had serious conversations about Murray, and the team doesn’t seem to be actively pursuing him right now, says Fischer.
Fischer hears rivals view Murray as a “true plus” on defense, though his reputation on that end “may have been overstated” in recent seasons. Murray’s four-year, $111MM+ contract extension (it kicks in next season) is viewed as relatively team-friendly, given the 27-year-old’s talent level, Fischer adds.
According to Fischer, the Hawks have been aggressive in reaching out to opposing teams “with actual trade concepts” instead of “general interest in specific players.” Five teams are viewed as Murray suitors ahead of the trade deadline: the Lakers, Knicks, Sixers, Heat and Pistons.
Here’s more from Fischer on Murray and his potential suitors:
- The Lakers continue to say they don’t want to trade Austin Reaves, sources tell Fischer. A deal for Murray could transpire if they include Reaves, according to Fischer, but L.A. may want Atlanta to sweeten the pot a little too in that scenario. D’Angelo Russell, on the other hand, has not been valued by rival teams in trade discussions.
- The Knicks are looking for depth at point guard and center, per Fischer. While recent reports have indicated that Murray’s agent — Rich Paul of Klutch Sports — would prefer not to deal with New York, Fischer hears Murray is “in favor of a fresh start,” and those same reports said Paul would help facilitate a deal if his client asked for it. Still, Fischer wonders if the fit of Murray and Jalen Brunson would be any more fruitful than Murray’s pairing with Trae Young. The Hawks have valued Quentin Grimes in previous trade talks, Fischer adds.
- The Sixers aren’t in a rush to move their draft assets, sources tell Fischer, but they have been “conducting due diligence” on point guards, though Wizards veteran Tyus Jones doesn’t appear to be on their list. Fischer suggests if Philadelphia and Atlanta do discuss Murray, a deal probably won’t come together until closer to the deadline. The Sixers aren’t expected to be trade suitors for Zach LaVine or Pascal Siakam, Fischer reports.
- The Heat appear to be looking for ball-handlers, so Murray makes some sense, but Fischer hears the two Southeast rivals haven’t had any “substantive” talks after initial conversations.
- The Pistons sit in last place, but their historically inept season could make them more willing to consider bold moves, Fischer writes, noting that Detroit is also interested in Siakam. Still, “smaller tweaks” are considered a more likely outcome, per Fischer.
Three way deal sends Siakam to Atlanta and Murray to New York…Grimes and picks go somewhere you guys fill in the rest???
Why wouldn’t TO just take Murray in a Siakam deal. ATL needs to add more salary, and probably a pick or two
Deal makes no sense for Atlanta. Atlanta is going nowhere this year, and Siakam is doubtful to resign with Atlanta, as this is his last year.
They should trade him for Bill Murray I’d watch way more Atlanta games
Now, his reputation has been overstated in recent years.
Murray’s reputation hasn’t been overstated in recent years; it’s been misstated. He simply hasn’t been a “plus” defender in ATL, true or otherwise (more like around baseline). If he were one, then ATL wouldn’t be looking to move him in a non-rebuilding move. Poor perimeter defense is their main issue.
Best spot for Murray is a team that can return him to the point (where he can guard smaller guys). It should help on both ends, actually. BKN or MIA.
I agree he’s better just running point. But Jalen is not a traditional PG. And Thibs system is built for Murray imo. I think he fits in NY. Trae needs to run team to be effective. I think that was the issue there. For all the talk about Trae and his scoring. The guy is a high ast guy. He doesn’t get enough credit for that.
I’ve said it once I’ll say it again. I can’t for the life of me, understand why the Hawks front office values TY over DM. I get that Young has been there longer and that his play can be more exciting (when he’s actually making his shot) but to me DM is just the better overall player and helps the team more over all. Trade Trae!!
I’ve been wondering the same thing. It seems the rub is that Trae is the better offensive player and gets double-teamed during close games, hindering his ability. DJ was supposed to help offset that, but it hasn’t worked out. It will be interesting to see if Hawks are buyers or sellers by the deadline. They’re still in the playoffs, so they could be buyers if they think they can pull off moves to take them deeper in the post-season.
While Trae is horrid on defense he’s one of the best playmakers in the NBA. He’s a great isolation scorer and a good finisher. He leverages that with his elite court vision to open up the offense like few others. Murray is a good defender and may have become a good shooter. He’s also a decent passer but he’s not really elite at anything.
All true about Trae, but he is absolutely the worst defender in the NBA and doesn’t even care. That ruins his value.
Murray plays much more within the flow of the team and the sets they run. It’s not ISO with Murray, it’s a total team effort. And if you watch the Hawks and just don’t look at the stats, you can see Murray is still clearly a very strong defender, but one can’t simply cannot make up for Trae’s inability on that end. Murray is often exposed by trying to help, which he wouldn’t have to do if Trae would just put in some effort.
Agreed.
I would personally trade Trae, Boggie, Hunter, and Capela away separately and rebuild around Murray, Johnson and Okongwu. Trae’s contract might limit his return but they could take on some salary in the return and move those guys in other trades.
The most ridiculous thing I can think of is the Hawks ‘re-tolling’ for the playoffs. It’s laughable that this front office thinks they can win a championship. Just absolutely laughable.
re-tooling that is
The way Atlanta is handling its roster, reminds me alot of how Portland fooled themselves that D. Lillard was a center piece to a championship team. It didn’t matter who they plugged in around Dame, he wasn’t the guy. No defense. Even on a Bucks team that for years prided themselves on D, Dame in the lineup has been a liability. Opposing guards have had their share of +30 point games. They are not the same.
Back to Atlanta…….learn from the D. Lillard experiment in Portland, and cut bait before it’s too late. Young is not that guy.
Agreed 100%. I call it the Allen Iverson curse. Score-first PG’s can’t win you championships. And before anyone comments it, Curry is NOT a PG.
Except that Curry is the IS a PG. A PG’s job is get the offense the best possible shot as much as possible. If a PG’s job is get the best possible shot and he’s the best guy to take that shot then it would be asinine for him to give it up to someone else just for the sake of being a “real PG”.
Gus Williams, Irving and Curry say different but I agree with you
Defense is a team effort and when people make it personal just miss how defense works and is calculated.
You pair Murray with say gobert or kessler the other changes how other players scheme as a team on the defensive end.
Murray best value may come from the jazz. Unfortunately the jazz will not overpay nor do they like to give players away. Ainge knows how the cap works and how to evaluate talent.
Most gm understand Ainge and do the same things with their trades.
Heat should trade for him.
If the Sixers get involved I think it would be a deal with Tobias or Paul Reed. Because Murray makes 25M next year. So they might be looking to bring in multiple players with Tobias contract or shed salary of Reed for next year and recoup 7M.
Hawks should trade Trae and keep Murray. No one is winning a championship with Trae.
Just like in the bedroom, size matters in the NBA.