As the NBA trade deadline on February 9th approaches, rumors and discussions around the league continue to intensify. One name that keeps popping up in trade conversations is Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray. The Hawks only acquired Murray last summer, but after an underwhelming start to the season, they seem open to moving him again.
Hawks Disappointing So Far
The Hawks had high hopes coming into this season after finishing last year strong and reaching the playoffs. The offseason acquisition of Murray from the Spurs for Danilo Gallinari and multiple first-round picks was expected to take them to another level. However, the Hawks have struggled to meet expectations and currently sit 12th in the Eastern Conference at 17-23.
While Trae Young continues to excel as an elite offensive talent, the fit with Murray has been questionable at times. Both players need the ball in their hands to be at their best, making it difficult to find an ideal balance. Defense and rebounding have also remained problem areas for Atlanta. These issues have fueled speculation that the Hawks could make significant moves at the trade deadline.
Murray Drawing Trade Interest Around the League
According to recent reports, Murray is emerging as one of the most likely All-Star caliber talents to be moved by the deadline. Teams like the Lakers, Heat, Sixers, Knicks and Pistons are among those cited as having varying levels of interest.
As one of the best two-way guards in the game, Murray appeals to a lot of talent-hungry contenders. He averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists and an NBA-best 2.0 steals last season on his way to his first All-Star appearance. Any team acquiring the 26-year-old will also secure his services for up to three more seasons on a team-friendly contract.
| Team | Reported Trade Package |
|---|---|
| Lakers | Russell Westbrook, 2027 and 2029 first-round picks for Murray and Justin Holiday |
| Heat | Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jovic and 2027 first-round pick for Murray |
| Sixers | Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and 2 first-round picks for Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic |
Concerns Over Hawks Trade Demands
While Murray is clearly a valuable trade chip, there are questions about what the Hawks expect in return for the borderline All-Star guard. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Atlanta’s trade demands have been “borderline outrageous” so far.
“The Hawks are putting a sky high price tag on Murray and that combined with the years left on his contract make some teams hesitant.”
The Hawks reportedly view Trae Young and third-year forward Jalen Johnson as untouchable in any Murray deal. With John Collins also considered off-limits, rival executives feel like Atlanta may be overvaluing their remaining trade assets.
There’s a sense that GM Landry Fields could be too reluctant to part with Murray after investing so heavily in him just a few months ago. While his two-way talent is impressive, it’s unclear if Murray can be the Robin to Young’s Batman on a championship contender. The Hawks have time on their side when it comes to deciding Murray’s future, but rival teams may not be willing to meet their sky-high asking price right now.
Spurs Showing Interest in Murray Reunion
In an interesting twist, the San Antonio Spurs have reportedly shown exploratory interest in bringing Murray back just half a season after trading him. Still in the early stages of a rebuild, the Spurs would likely need to package together several young players and future draft assets to entice the Hawks.
20-year-old guard Devin Vassell, coming off a breakout season, would likely headline San Antonio’s potential offer. Other prospects like Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham and additional first-round picks could allow the Spurs to put together a competitive proposal.
While likely still a long shot, a Murray return to San Antonio would certainly be a surprising twist. Murray spent the first five seasons of his NBA career with the Spurs, developing into a foundational star for the five-time champions. If they want to speed up their rebuild, bringing back their former star guard could be the splashy move this team needs.
Hawks Approaching Pivotal Moment
As the Hawks continue to underwhelm and more Murray rumors emerge, GM Landry Fields is facing an important moment early into his Hawks tenure. The decision of whether to keep building around Young and Murray or pivot in another direction will shape the trajectory of Atlanta’s playoff and championship hopes.
With rival teams expecting escalating trade talks between now and February 9th, Fields and the Hawks’ front office have their work cut out for them. Sitting six games under .500, this team hoped to take a step forward this season, not back. How Atlanta proceeds from this disappointing start could determine the ceiling of a team that has teased playoff success but has yet to break through.
The next month will be fascinating to watch as a star-studded 2024 free agent class also looms large around the league. Between wavering faith in the Hawks young core and the desire to clear cap space for a run at a superstar this summer, rival executives anticipate Atlanta will be “absolutely open for business” when it comes to trades over the next four weeks. Buckle up, the NBA trade deadline promises to be a wild ride!
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