The ongoing trade saga of Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray has taken another turn, and it looks like the team was ready to cut its losses.
Dan Woike of the LA Times reports that his sources relayed the Hawks were in talks with the New York Knicks before the latter ultimately completed a trade with the Toronto Raptors. One of the principles of that trade – Immanuel Quickley – was also targeted by the Hawks.
Per Woike, the Hawks sought a package of Quickly plus a first-round pick.
That is a far cry from the three picks plus a valued veteran in Danilo Gallinari that the Hawks surrendered to the San Antonio Spurs just ahead of the 2022-23 season.
It looks worse in light of the flack General Manager Landry Fields took for the John Collins trade.
"Dejounte Murray is the player that they're engaged around the league with. They have talked to the Lakers." 👀 @wojespn on the Hawks' plans for Murray. pic.twitter.com/Bt7eire6Dy
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 12, 2024
Woike also adds that the Hawks would “certainly” want Austin Reaves in any trade with the Lakers, he also notes that the Lakers have “shown no interest” in dealing the third-year guard in any deals at this point.
There is also a concern that Murray may not “move the needle” given how this season is going.
Murray is having a strong campaign individually, tying his career-high mark of 21.1 points per game and setting a new personal best with 56.6% true shooting.
He and Young were historic as a duo in their first season together, a situation that Murray has admitted took some getting used to. But the Hawks finished that season 41-41 and find themselves on pace for an even worse finish this season.
NBA insider Chris Haynes speculated Murray would be traded by the February 8 deadline.
But he also reported that the Hawks are not operating as if they have to trade Murray away during the season.
Dejounte Murray unbothered by Hawks trade rumors
Murray and Trae Young both wanted this partnership, according to reports in the wake of the deal. Neither has spoken of wanting that to change now even after coming into the season with clear expectations; expectations which they are tracking to miss.
While the Hawks are eyeing another retool around Young, Murray has joined the likes of Collins and Kevin Huerter.
Those rumors wore on his predecessors, proving to be a significant distraction.
“Not for Dejounte. I work too hard, I’m too confident,” Murray said via Allison Mastrangelo of WSB-TV on January 12. “I’m a part of the Atlanta Hawks organization so it’s not fair for me to speak on anything like that, with just the respect that I have for this organization and my teammates.”
Head Coach Quin Snyder similarly sidestepped questions about how trade rumors may be affecting the team.
But he has been highly complimentary of his star backcourt even amid the team’s struggles.
Murray will begin a four-year, $114 million contract extension next season. When he first inked the contract, Murray sent a message about valuing loyalty. There have also been reports that part of the reason he signed the extension was to avoid inclusion in a trade for Siakam.
Whether it happens during the season or after, it does appear as though the Hawks are ready for something new.