The Hawks‘ trade for Dejounte Murray was the result of pressure from ownership to improve the roster before Trae Young‘s super-max extension takes effect next season, according to Chris Kirschner and Sam Amick of The Athletic. Murray is under contract for a combined $34.2MM over the next two years, and while the team doesn’t expect him to agree to an early extension that would limit his future earnings, there’s confidence that he will be a long-term backcourt partner for Young.
Atlanta’s front office had a “sense of confusion and disbelief” that the Spurs were willing to part with Murray, a 25-year-old All-Star with a team-friendly contract, the authors add. Sources tell them that the teams discussed a Murray deal last week, but the Spurs didn’t contact the Hawks for a long time afterward, leading to concerns on Atlanta’s side that San Antonio was reconsidering the trade or may have found a better offer.
San Antonio also discussed Murray with the Timberwolves, but Minnesota wasn’t willing to give up as much as the Hawks eventually did, Kirschner and Amick add. The Knicks were reported as a possible destination, but the authors say they never had trade talks with the Spurs about Murray.
There’s more from Atlanta:
- Amid the chaos surrounding the Nets last week, the Hawks were preparing to have an offer ready in case Kevin Durant asked for a trade, according to Kirschner and Amick.
- Young is “really excited” about the Murray trade, states ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who adds that Atlanta likely isn’t done reshaping its roster (Twitter link).
- The Hawks are facing a shrinking market for John Collins, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype says in a podcast with Kirschner that was recorded Wednesday before the Murray trade was announced. Two potential destinations were eliminated when the Kings drafted Keegan Murray and the Trail Blazers traded for Jerami Grant. Kirschner adds that Atlanta won’t give up Collins without a decent return, so there’s a chance he won’t be traded this offseason.
- Scotto and Kirschner address a number of other Hawks-related items. Atlanta may have interest in a Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade but only if it’s less than a max deal, De’Andre Hunter is considered part of the team’s core and could eventually land an extension near $20MM per season, and Delon Wright is much more likely to be re-signed than Lou Williams. Kirschner also cites potential “heat” on Nate McMillan, saying the Hawks will consider a coaching change if they don’t get off to a fast start next season.
I’m still shocked they traded Murray, but maybe since he couldn’t get his extension, he felt best to move. But SA not getting a player to build with is where I wa shocked. I thought Ayton with Murray could be great. I thought they could alao get Collins. I guess all in on Victor Wembanyama
Ayton & Murray will be great…. in Atl
There’s a chance John won’t be traded this summer??? Lol that’s not what the media been repeating over & over the past couple weeks. They were wrong af about the #1 pick, wrong about Collins being traded by now. Yet these are the same guys (who never even played ball themselves) that savagely criticize the very best players in the game for getting injured or not being perfect every game or having a life outside of basketball. I’ve yet to hear any of these guys own up to being wrong about predicting Jabari to Orlando
The Hawks were dangling John Collins out there so that part is true, but the asking price was a little too high, so that part is true also.
“Hawks look to trade John Collins, but it looks like he won’t be traded.” Both statements can be true.
But yeah it’s all a guessing game. It’s all clickbait, it’s all chatter. I guess we can’t really believe anything until it’s actually done.
It’s the Hawks FO that was saying it. Not that that’s proof of quality. The Hawks FO embarassed themselves with their chatter. Good for them the Spurs needed their picks and bailed them out.
Don’t blame the messenger for GM lies
If the reports about Collins wanting out are true and in this case I think they may be, the Hawks should accommodate him and trade him unless the team would be getting fleeced.
Collins and Kevin Huerter for DeAndre Ayton and Aaron Holiday in a sign and trade. Then send out Capela to Toronto for OG Anunoby.
I’m not sure how Holiday and Capela would feel about it but it would give OG, Collins and Ayton whom are all rumored to be somewhat unhappy in their current situations new homes on competitive teams and fix some holes for the Suns, Raptors and Hawks.