The trade deadline is fast approaching (February 8), and the Atlanta Hawks have been at the center of plenty of rumors. Most of the rumors have been about who the Hawks want to ship out, with Dejounte Murray the most popular name.
Murray has not asked for a trade, at least publicly. But he has been linked to at least eight teams with the deadline looming.
We now have new intel on one of the Hawks’ potential targets.
“The Knicks may trade Quentin Grimes ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, as he’ll certainly draw interest from opposing teams,” SportsNet New York’s Ian Begley on January 19. “The Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets are among the teams with interest in the 23-year-old shooting guard.”
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Begley also cites a report from the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy that named the Dallas Mavericks as a potential suitor for Grimes.
Grimes, 23, was the No. 25 overall pick of the draft in 2021. He is having a down season after losing his starting spot to Donte DiVincenzo earlier in the campaign, averaging 6.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, though he is shooting 37.9% from deep.
But he averaged 11.3 points and shot 38.6% from beyond the arc starting 66 of 71 appearances last season.
He is also an underrated defender, taking on some of the toughest assignments nightly.
Hawks-Knicks trade could be tricky for numerous reasons
Begley also explains that Grimes’ $2.3 million salary makes it difficult to trade him alone. A package could be more likely. New York is one of the teams that has been linked to Murray.
The two teams could try a deal that sends Murray to New York for a package featuring Grimes, Evan Fournier ($18.8 million this season), and draft capital. Fournier, 31, would add three-point shooting and a veteran presence for a young team.
But if Murray’s representation by Klutch Sports Group and fit next to Jalen Bruson aren’t dealbreakers, the Knicks’ intent of building their bench could be. Murray, 27, is in the final year of a four-year, $64 million contract, and he starts a four-year, $114 million extension next season.
The Hawks will be on the hook for the largest trade kicker in the NBA if they trade him. Their asking price is believed to be two first-round picks.
That is a far cry from the three firsts and forward Danilo Gallinari that they surrendered to the San Antonio Spurs to acquire him ahead of last season. San Antonio is also rumored to have interest, which Murray said he would welcome.
Murray is averaging 21 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 38.3% on threes.
The Hawks have said very little about the trade rumors. Murray has declined to delve too deeply other than to say it wouldn’t be fair to his teammates.
Head Coach Quin Snyder also sidestepped questions, while Trae Young admitted that they all hear the trade rumors. But he insisted that they have to continue to block that out and focus on being better on the court.