3 trade destinations for Hawks' Dejounte Murray that make sense, 2 that don't

If the Atlanta Hawks are truly open to exploring their trade options for Dejounte Murray then he should get a pretty good idea of which potential landing spots would work best for him too.

Not that Murray can veto any trade.

But there is a belief the front office will work with his representation – renowned agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who also represents Trae Young – to find a destination that works for both parties.

Murray’s four-year, $120 million contract extension, and thus the 15% trade kicker he would get if traded once it begins, could complicate matters, putting the Hawks on a time limit.

With that in mind, here are three trade destinations that make sense and two that don’t.

Dejounte Murray to the Lakers: Makes sense

Klutch would be able to keep it in the family, so to speak, getting Murray from one partnership with one of their clients and into a partnership with two on the Los Angeles Lakers alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The Lakers are also said to have an interest in acquiring the NBA’s 2021-22 steals leader in Murray if the Hawks make him available. 

Like the Hawks, the Lakers are off to an unexpectedly slow start. But, with the 38-year-old James in tow, their approach to their current plight figures to be much different than the Hawks whose top star, Young, is still just 25 years old.

Compensation could be tricky given the Lakers’ limited draft resources, particularly during the season. 

There are a few other Hawks who’ve come up in the rumor mill as well which has to factor in.

The very same reasons the Lakers could make a lot of sense for Murray if he is traded could make one of his other top rumored landing spots less likely despite the other side’s interest.