The Bucks are among the teams registering interest in trading for Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, league sources tell Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT (Twitter link). Haynes’ report doesn’t include any details beyond that, so it’s unclear what sort of package a Bucks team short on trade assets might be willing to offer for Murray.
It’s safe to assume Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard aren’t going anywhere, which means a Milwaukee offer would need to be built around either Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, or, more likely, a Bobby Portis/Pat Connaughton combo. No other players on the roster earn enough to viably match Murray’s $18MM+ salary (a package that includes only one of Portis or Connaughton could technically work, but would need to be at least a four-for-one or five-for one deal).
Middleton, Lopez, Portis, and Connaughton have all played significant roles in Milwaukee for the last few seasons. Middleton and Lopez, in particular, have been mainstays in the Bucks’ starting lineup for many years, while Portis and Connaughton have been among the team’s first players off the bench. All four were major contributors to the championship team in 2021.
Still, as the Bucks showed when they included Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen in their package for Lillard in September, they’re willing to send out key rotation players in a trade if they believe the deal raises their ceiling. And with no first-round picks and only two second-rounders left to deal, the Bucks would need to send out a quality player or two to be a contender in the Murray sweepstakes.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Responding to colleagues Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon, who argued on The Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link) that the Nets should be sellers at the trade deadline, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggested that’s not necessarily the way the team is leaning. “I can’t speak to what the Nets are thinking right this very second, but the word through the NBA is the Nets are attempting to be buyers,” Windhorst said. Brooklyn doesn’t control its own 2024 first-round pick, which will be sent to Houston.
- Despite some speculation that he could be a trade deadline target, the Sixers are unlikely to pursue Raptors guard Bruce Brown, reports Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Appearing on the Locked on Heat podcast (Twitter video link), Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports suggested that the Heat aren’t explicitly shopping Kyle Lowry and Nikola Jovic, but they’re among the players on the roster who are considered by potential trade partners to be available.
- Within his latest Insider-only story for ESPN.com, Zach Lowe shares a couple of notable trade-related tidbits. According to Lowe, before trading for Pascal Siakam, the Pacers were one of several teams to reach out to the Jazz about Lauri Markkanen, but Utah showed zero interest in moving him. Additionally, Lowe says that the Spurs reached out to the Hawks to explore the possibility of a reversal of sorts to their 2022 Dejounte Murray deal, but those talks don’t appear to have gotten far.
Murray plays better when Trae is either hurt or on the bench resting. So, with Lillard already in hand, why would Milwaukee think this is the best fit? They need a natural 2 or wing, not another PG.
Would love Murray for the Sixers although Melton and Bev fill that guard role well next to Maxey.
Murray would just be a step up and his contract is good for his output.
I also wouldn’t mind us trying to get Andrew Wiggins. Again could act as that third star for us, deal is more than manageable. He also played college ball with Embiid.
Could you imagine a Dame, Murray, Middleton, Giannis, Lopez starting 5? Wow..
Just guessing here, but in this scenario Portis and PatC get sent out..which would leave the bench very thin, especially in experience.
And as a Bucks fan, the only scenario I’m ok with Thanasis being on the court is during a blowout.
Yeah, that’s almost as good as Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, White and Holiday.
I don’t see how Boston’s starting 5 would be any better than Milwaukee’s if they added Murray.
Dame > White
Murray = Holiday
Middleton Brown
Lopez < Porzingis
These two lineups seem to be a wash or slightly favors Milwaukee as the largest gap between players seems to be between Lillard and White even with White garnering All-Star consideration this season.
Dame > White
Murray = Holiday
Middleton Brown
Lopez < Porzingis
ATL, supposedly, wants to replenish their draft capital. MIL can’t trade any of their FRPs. So they need to find a team with a FRP or two that’s willing to take some of their players in exchange. In recent times, NBA backups almost never net a FRP. Portis might though.
Yeah they gave multiple first for Murray. Bucks and Lakers don’t have the picks so they shouldn’t even be in the talks.
Zero chance Spurs offered back those two picks – less than zero. As the Hawks retool the first is a possible lottery pick and the second is likely to be one.
Lauri low key is the perfect player to put next to Scottie Barnes, that would’ve been a heck of a pairing but Toronto has done incredibly well to get what they’ve gotten so far.
My favorite topic is
Lakers to acquire both Bruce Brown and Caruso
Why not?
LeBron, Russell and Reaves allow Nets guards/Small Forward to score 103 points in 42 minutes
6 minutes remaining now ….
Why not acquire both Bruce Brown and Caruso as soon so possible?
Also been saying it for a minute now but Terry Rozier to the Heat.
He’s a good on ball defender when he wants to be, he’s got a great handle, he’s a good shooter, he’s been known for stepping up in the playoffs and he’s happy to play off the bench or as a starter at either guard spot. Feel like he’d suit that Miami culture really well.
Unless the Hawks are interested in Milwaukee’s first round quality magic beans, I don’t see how the Bucks get Murray without severely damaging their already thin bench.