Ranking 7 Hawks from least to most likely to be traded to shed salary
By Tyler Watts
6. Dejounte Murray
The Hawks gave up three first-round picks and one swap to acquire Murray last summer. It was a hefty price to pay, and Atlanta has no plans of taking a loss on it. If some team blew them away with an offer, the Hawks might do it, but they do not want to part with Murray otherwise.
His contract situation could change things, though. Murray is set to make $18.2 million in the final year of his deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. He is extension-eligible, but can the two sides get a deal done? The new CBA increased what the Hawks can offer, but it still may not be enough.
Murray could become an unrestricted free agent next summer searching for a max deal, and the Atlanta Hawks cannot afford to pay him that much over the next four years without making other moves.
For what it is worth, Murray was quick to shoot down recent trade rumors. He appears happy in Atlanta and prepared to run it back next season, but his contract situation is something to watch closely. If the two sides cannot work out a new deal, Dejounte Murray could be on the trade block before the deadline.