Hawks guard Dejounte Murray has reportedly drawn plenty of trade interest this season, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously stated he believes there’s a very good chance the former All-Star will be moved prior to the February 8 deadline.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype evaluates the teams that have been linked to Murray and offers new intel on the 27-year-old’s market. For example, league sources tell Scotto that in a potential Murray deal, in addition to acquiring draft and player assets, Atlanta does not want to take on salary beyond the 2023/24 season.
A Lakers deal for Murray would likely include D’Angelo Russell, according to Scotto’s sources, but the Hawks aren’t interested in Russell — they’d have to be able to flip him to a third team in that scenario. As Scotto explains, Russell has a $18.9MM player option for 2024/25 and isn’t viewed as a viable fit alongside another offense-first guard in Trae Young.
The Hawks did inquire about Austin Reaves in talks with L.A., but Scotto confirms the Lakers shot down that idea. Reaves is in the first season of a four-year contract — it’s unclear if Atlanta would want to keep the 25-year-old guard or potentially flip him as well.
As first reported by Scotto, the Knicks have looked into Murray. However, due to their strong play of late after acquiring OG Anunoby, Scotto hears New York doesn’t want to meet Atlanta’s asking price. The Nets also haven’t been inclined to offer a minimum of two first-round picks for Murray, per Scotto.
For various reasons, the Sixers, Pistons and Heat — three other teams linked to Murray — aren’t viewed as great fits, Scotto writes. It’s unclear what the Spurs are thinking this early in their rebuild, but Murray did say on Monday that he would welcome the opportunity to play for his former team and coach.
Woj insists there’s plenty of trade interest, but can’t (or won’t) name any teams willing to seriously pursue him. Other than the LAL, of course, who want him, but want to build the trade around a player that ATL doesn’t want. Yeah, maybe that trusty old “third team” will come in to save the day.
Scotto can’t just admit his original info was wrong (dated) from the start (anyone playing attention knew this). Murray has been nothing buy a guy to be monitored since the OG trade was completed, precisely because that trade accomplished the same purpose that a Murray trade would have. It, obviously, has nothing to do with the NYK’s “strong play of late” – since their play of late has been anything but strong.
The Knicks are 7-2 since that trade. I believe that’s what they are referencing in terms of strong play as of late.
Perhaps it is. But the narrative that Scotto spread after the trade that it was the beginning of a trade flurry, was contrary to everything the NYK FO put out there. Now, he’s changing his. What’s more likely, that an historically cautious FO changed their minds about such a significant pursuit (Murray) after such a small sample of games, or that Scotto was making stuff up?
Oh yeah, I’m not questioning your point or saying you’re wrong in terms of your main point. I was just speaking to that one piece
Writer did say OG fit and strong play. I absolutely believe Knicks are looking at Murray. As is at least 3 teams.
Translation – there is interest but no one is parting with two first round picks. Hawks just have to accept that they overpaid.
Also an alternate translation
Lakers are immune from tampering or have higher level of triggering a tampering charge compared to other teams.
I think the Nets would be a good fit, maybe they can flip DFS and Royce O’Neale or Dinwiddie, add a pick or two. Atlanta gets defensive wings that can shoot, some picks. Nets get their PG to build with Mikal.
I’m getting more and more convinced that none of these dudes know what the hell they are talking about…not one of them had any clue about the OG trade….yet when Murray gets traded to some team nobody has mentioned yet they’ll act like they knew it was going to happen all along.
Agreed. How many people wrote Siakam to Indy pieces? I don’t remember seeing a single mention of the Pacers as a fit, let alone a serious suitor. These clowns just write crap that people in large markets will click on.
Highway, do you live under a rock?
The pacers have been mentioned as a top 3 suitor for siakam virtually the entire season, and were also mentioned alongside SAC during the off-season as the most likely places for siakam to go
Knicks have been scouting OG since last yr. Any player who’s about to become a FA. Is going to have rumors written about him. Welcome to the NBA.
The Sixers just need to continue to win with what they have, they are fine
Nah can’t do that. Need to make a deal now. FA market is now not looking so hot. Sixers are better off making a trade than preserving cap for a FA.
Best FAs:
Kawhi – extended.
OG – Knicks (will get 5 yr deal)
Siakam – Pacers (will get 5 yr deal)
Jrue – Likely to resign w/Boston
PG13 – Likely to resign b/c of Kawhi
Harden – Never playing for Morey again
LBJ – Only leaving if Bronny gets drafted
DeRozan – Will be 35
IQ – RFA
Claxton – Center not logical
Malik Monk – 6th man type that can’t guard
Miles Bridges – Beats up his ex
Klay Thompson – Regaining his shot, can’t guard anyone
Buddy Hield – 3s and no D
Bruce Brown – role player
Big Val – Center
DinWiddie – Not the sniper he used to be, still passable starter, but trending more 6th man
Tyus Jones – Nice PG, won’t be expensive
Make a trade for a starting quality player, re-up Tobias, Melton, Oubre, RoCo, Batum, Morris, and Bev. Tobias is the only one on this list that you’d really look to include in a trade… like for Markkanen, Olynyk, and THT.
Paul Reed, Furkan, House, Picks for Murray.
Mo Bamba and a SRP for Drummond.
SRP for Dario Saric.
Embiid – Drummond
Batum – Saric – RoCo
Tobias – Morris – KMJ
Maxey – Oubre – Springer
Murray – Melton – Bev
Open Spot: 1
TW – Lofton, Council, Smith
Why would sixers trade for drummond? Just give mo bamba more minutes. But if sixers give that offer to the bulls,i believe bulls will accept it bcoz bd look like hate drummond
Bamba has upside, but for this Sixers team they need someone a bit more reliable. Bamb truthfully is too soft.
Bulls would be a good spot for Murray if they don’t trade DeRozan
Lakers only shot would be including Capela and getting Brklyn to swap Dinwits expiring for Dlo .
Pg market is beyond gross next year so possible by Brklyn
Rui dlo / dinwit exp Jhs plus the 29 unprotected for Murray capela is the baseline for Atl . I think they can do better and I don’t think capela works for Lal ultimately if that did happen – both parties should look elsewhere but Atls financials and lakers ( bad ) impulses probably visit this if Murray’s market collapses in the closing hrs
Dlo and a 1st is the only trade they should make for Murray nothing else
Hard pass
Fair sank , I’m just demonstrating what the limits are for both teams
Don’t think they are a great match
Saw some rumor that the Nets may get involved.
Gotta move Spencer, Royce, and Lonnie by the deadline.
Murray, Bridges, Johnson is a pretty good core.
Move Ben Simmons in the offseason.
Figure out Claxtons worth to you, if he isn’t in your LT plans I’d honestly move him for a pick at this deadline.
They need to develop Whitehead and Clowney into serviceable roleplayers over the next 2 seasons.
Say things implode in Minn and KAT wants out this offseason.
Maybe you get LaVine just for Ben Simmons.
Morant, Zion, Spider, Ayton… who knows who’s avail this offseason for 1 reason or another.
Nets would be in a nice position tho with that core all age 27/28.
Lakers turning down a deal for Murray because of Reeves is comical. As for the Nets, two picks for him would be a nice start by pairing him with Bridges – two two way players that can score twenty plus a game.
Watching the Wizards and Knicks. I can say Knicks are definitely doing a trade. If it’s not Murray. They will a player to complement the bench. Grimes has disappointed this yr. Looks like Thibs is losing patience with him. He’d benefit from new surroundings.
Rozier, Brogdon, Dinwiddie, Brown can all help this team. If I had to choose here. Brown who can play 2-3 is best fit. Plays D and has that toughness Thibs loves.
It it’s going to take two picks. That should be no problem for Knicks. Fournier is an expiring contract. I’d give up three picks.
Watched the game and concerned Thibs is going to kill Brunson and Randle by playoff time. And because he likes using ‘units’ I’m of the belief that the bench is the target area – the first line seems solid now that RJ has moved on, and I say that due to distribution, not because of RJs skills. Still a fan of the kid.
With so much focus on D, I think the Knicks could go for a Lou Williams type of player. Clarkson may be that player. It’s an easy deal to make due to his salary and he’s a FA at the end of the year. Not a fan of him or such a deal, but it may be the deal that needs to be made. High energy, offense, and no attachments. He’ll be incentivized to play for his next contract on the greatest stage he could perform on.
I agree I’m worried about that too. OG also played too many mins. Murray pushes Donte to bench. And you add another player. Then we talking now.
But adding to bench is probably where they are at. A 2way player like Brown is what I like. Wouldn’t mind any of those I mentioned. You have to take into account Thibs kind of player. I’m wondering why Sims is not playing.
I know it’s not realistic, but a Zach Lavine and maybe draft picks for Murray sure seems to make a lot of sense for both teams. As a bulls fan I’d LOVE to get Murray, he seems to be a much better fit with our current (flawed) roster. Wishful thinking, I know
The Hawks could be rebuilding, or just want cap space, after this season. Mentioned they wanted expiring money.
Lavine’s 5y/$215M contract started last year.
I don’t see the Hawks taking that on if they truly want to clear their books.
However, if he’s the kind of player they’d go after anyway, then why not?
Lavine and Young in the backcourt may as well be 5 on 3 basketball.
Dejounte to nets/spurs/heat.