The Detroit Pistons look like a fish out of the water for the bulk of the 2023-24 season. Consequently, there’s no doubt that their front office is considering multiple avenues for improvement. Nonetheless, the Pistons may not be ready to accept just any old deal.
At least that’s what the Atlanta Hawks are rumored to have found out the hard way.
Dejounte Murray to the Pistons?
As the Hawks continue to seek out major roster changes, one-time All-Star Dejounte Murray has found himself on the trade block. The 6-foot-5 hybrid guard has been linked to multiple franchises, the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs chief among them. However, none have been able to pry Murray away from Atlanta with their preferred trade packages.
Interestingly, the Cade Cunningham-led Pistons have had an interest in Murray as well.
Perhaps it’s because he has experience on a young rebuilding team, a situation he found himself in with the Spurs early in his career. To that point, Murray’s status as a respected locker room leader is right up the Pistons’ alley. It doesn’t hurt that Murray has been putting on a show as a closer as well, especially with Detroit still learning how to close out games.
Nonetheless, even with all the advantages that might come with adding a leader averaging at least 25 points, five assists, five rebounds, and one steal over the past three seasons, the Pistons want the best deal possible.
No Trade for You!
This would apparently preclude them from trading Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson –young players who Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams has had trouble fitting into his preferred offensive framework– to acquire Dejounte Murray.
Per The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III:
“A few weeks back, the Atlanta Hawks initiated a trade discussion with the Pistons centered around Dejounte Murray… The Hawks were interested in Thompson/Ivey and other stuff of good value. Detroit had no interest, according to league sources.”
The Athletic would add that “the Pistons view Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren as their blue-chip pieces moving forward… the feeling is that Detroit has no interest in trading any four of those players in the immediate future.”
With the youth and potential of the aforementioned quartet, it’s easy to understand the Pistons’ hesitation. Murray is in his prime and under contract through the 2026-27 season. Yet, he may not be a clean fit for their timeline at 27 years old. Furthermore, Ivey’s play during Cunningham’s absence was a real confidence-builder for all involved. There’s reason to believe that he can be similar to the player that Murray is, especially offensively.
In the curious case of Thompson, his off-ball shooting is far from optimal. Nonetheless, there’s been plenty to like about his on-ball shot creation and playmaking. There’s been even more to like about him defensively.
A Questionable Fit
While the Atlanta Hawks were apparently rebuffed by the Detroit Pistons, they may have dodged the proverbial bullet.
As previously mentioned, there’s a lot to like about both Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson. However, their outside shooting is not among those traits. To that point, a 3-point specialist is likely what’s needed besides a high-usage guard like Trae Young.
It’s likely that neither Ivey or Thompson would have been ideal fits, and the Hawks would have run the risk of using their main trade chip for young players whose value depreciated in Atlanta, as Dejounte Murray’s has.
