5 Dejounte Murray trades Hawks GM Landry Fields should explore
Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray became the latest to be ensnared by the uncertainty surrounding this team following their worst start since 2020-21. But the usually outspoken Murray, whom Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports “several teams” have expressed interest in, has not presented any reason to believe he wanted a change of scenery.
It appears the rumors did reach him, though, as the Hawks star decided to take a step back from social media.
The Hawks went on to blow another double-digit lead, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 125-119 defeat gives them three losses in their last five games. It also brings their record in December to 3-8, and they are 5-10 since Thanksgiving. That won’t stop the trade rumors and, with the start that the Hawks have had, it is hard to say that anyone should be truly untouchable.
New York makes for a good place to start when exploring potential trade destinations given Scotto named them among the field of potential suitors.
Proposed trade sends Dejounte Murray to Knicks
Dejounte Murray to Knicks
This proposal would depend heavily on how both sides view second-year wing AJ Griffin. He has missed the last seven games, and 11 of the last 12, and he wasn’t a big part of Quin Snyder’s rotation before that.
His main purpose in this, though, is salary-matching.
The Hawks could substitute any of Bruno Fernando, Garrison Mathews, or Wesley Matthews and meet the NBA’s salary-matching requirements, per Spotrac’s Roster Manager Tool. But extracting the draft capital they are believed to be seeking would be more difficult.
New York could try protecting one or both of those picks among any other negotiating tactics.
Barrett is three years younger, is bigger, and is a better shooter off the catch this season than Murray, knocking down 37.1% of his looks compared to 35.6% for Murray.
He is in the first year of a four-year, $107 million contract, saving the Hawks some money on the bottom line if they move on from Murray, who cannot be traded until January after inking a four-year, $120 million contract extension.