Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray sounds off on ‘cherished NBA tradition’

If there’s one thing Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray is always sure to do, it is taking part in what Howard Beck of GQ termed the NBA’s most “cherished tradition”

“I’ve never once missed it,” Murray told Beck in an article from May 30 highlighting a practice that dates back decades and touches every NBA corner. “That explains my professionalism, my attention to detail. I gotta have it. Every game day, gotta be the same. Whether at home or on the road.”

While the NBA took measures to improve the quality of life during the NBA season for players with regards to traveling, Beck notes that their schedules remain so abnormal as to put additional emphasis on the need to get proper rest.

“Most NBA nappers begin a similar routine following their team’s morning shootaround: shower, eat, wind down,” Beck writes. “And a good nap starts with darkness.”

Beck later notes that Murray opts for pure silence during his down period.

The 26-year-old guard arrived in Atlanta via trade following his first All-Star selection, possibly driving up the San Antonio Spurs asking price which ended up being three first-round picks, a swap, and a valuable role player in Danilo Gallinari. But Murray proved time and again why the Hawks traded for him last summer.

Murray is heading into the final year of a four-year, $64 million contract. He is eligible to sign a deal worth up to $114 million over four years but that is $17 million below what he would make in the first year of a max deal as a free agent, per ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks.

The good news is that Murray and Trae Young pushed for the trade and the Hawks’ starting lineup was solid.

Figuring out the right fits around them will be paramount.

Proposed trade ships Clint Capela, jumps Atlanta Hawks into draft lottery

One thing the Hawks need is more three-point shooting and, while John Collins has been bandied about in trade rumors for years, it’s Clint Capela who could wind up as collateral damage, wrote Dan Favale of Bleacher Report on May 26.

As Favale notes, the Hawks could also be looking to duck the luxury tax given their current status as a non-title contender.

The Hawks signed Capela to a two-year, $46 million contract extension ahead of the 2021-22 season. But there is a precedent of them trading away players after signing them to extensions with Kevin Huerter being sent to the Sacramento Kings for the same reason – to avoid the tax – after inking a four-year, $65 million pact around the same time Capela signed his contract.

Young’s high school teammate, Lindy Waters III is far from a knockdown shooter – 36% career 3P – so the Hawks would have to see tremendous value in the cap savings, future pick, and jumping up three spots to part with their own pick and a valued piece in Capela.

Capela has been a foundational piece for some time.

But his paint-based game does limit the spacing, crowding the lane for drives from Murray and Young.