10 Players the Hawks could replace Dejounte Murray with by the trade deadline
Pascal Siakam trade rumors have lingered
The Hawks have been linked to Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam since the summer. Both teams have exchanged their offers, but they haven’t been able to come to terms on a deal.
Siakam is said to be against signing a contract extension if he is traded. That plus the cost of acquiring him poses a daunting task for any interested suitor, let alone the Hawks who already gave up a lot to acquire Murray.
A two-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, as well as a former NBA champion, Siakam is far from the only big name linked to the Hawks so far.
Zach LaVine would help Hawks lean into strength
All of the talk in recent years has been about the Hawks shoring up the defense around Trae Young, and the guard has taken it upon himself to be better on that end. A trade for Zach LaVine would undo whatever defensive gains they have gotten from Murray.
Murray is not the point-of-attack defender they still need. But he is adept in passing lanes, and he is a tenacious competitor.
LaVine is the better scorer. But he also comes with durability concerns to go with a hefty contract.
Julius Randle could help Hawks’ versatility
Julius Randle hasn’t been linked to the Hawks. But his New York Knicks have been, and he could be the next player they move out.
“My initial reaction was the Knicks overpaid because of the hypothetical value you could maybe get for Quickley on paper in a separate deal,” an NBA executive said, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype on December 30. “But the Knicks are in a good place to use Julius Randle and picks to make another big move.”
Randle is a three-level scorer who can get his own and create for others. The Hawks could play Jalen Johnson at the 3 (assuming they move Hunter too) since his shooting has come along so well this season.
Randle would come with the least concerns of this trio in terms of health and contract, though he has clashed with coaches and teammates at times in New York.