Title contender registers interest in trade for Hawks' Dejounte Murray

It seems like every day a new team is linked to Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray in a potential trade ahead of the deadline. But we are just learning the names of the “several” teams interested in trading for the one-time All-Star.

They have ranged from logical (Los Angeles Lakers) to sentimental (San Antonio Spurs) to ambitious (Detroit Pistons).

But the latest could offer Murray the best chance to win now.

“Milwaukee Bucks are among multiple teams who are registering interest in trading for Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray,” Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported in a message on X, formerly Twitter on January 19.

Murray, 27, is in the final year of a four-year, $64 million contract. And he will begin a four-year, $114 million contract next season.

Murray has not asked for a trade or cased a public stir over the rumors.

And the Hawks would owe a $12.9 million trade kicker if he’s dealt away. Their current asking price has been two first-round picks, per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer on January 15. But they sought a first-round pick and Immanuel Quickley from the New York Knicks, per Dan Woike of the LA Times on January 13.

So far, there have been reports of failed offers or outlines of potential deals involving Murray with the Lakers and Toronto Raptors. His aversion to Toronto potentially played a part in his willingness to sign such a team-friendly (and tradeable) contract extension.

Los Angeles has been unwilling to include Austin Reaves, whom the Hawks “coveted,” per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto on January 18.

Hawks, Lakers talked ‘potential frameworks’ of Dejounte Murray trade

While the Bucks – who sit second in the Eastern Conference standings, higher than any of his other rumored suitors – are in the hunt for Murray, the Lakers have laid the groundwork.

According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the two sides discussed the “potential frameworks” of a deal that would have sent Murray to LA for a package including D’Angelo Russell, rookie No. 15 overall pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick, and further draft assets.

The Hawks took criticism for their handling of the John Collins trade.

That situation dragged out for years and, ultimately, they agreed to what amounted to little more than a salary dump, sending him to the Utah Jazz for the since-waived Rudy Gay and a conditional second-round draft pick.

Multiple sources have reported that Hawks do not feel that they have to make a trade during the season.

Murray has touted his relationship with coaches and teammates during all of the trade chatter while also declining to delve too deeply into the rumors. The Hawks sit 10th in the Eastern Conference and have three of their last five games.