The Atlanta Hawks, just 14-21 as the 2023-24 NBA season approaches its halfway mark, have undergone multiple transformations in the Trae Young Era. Unfortunately, changes in coaches or backcourt mates have had the desired effect for the Hawks.
Nonetheless, the rumor mill keeps churning out hints that Atlanta is ready to move on from their Young-Dejounte Murray partnership. Murray is far from the only Hawks player whose name crops up in trades. De’Andre Hunter and Clint Capela are also reportedly on the trade block. But given his age, contract, production, and position, Murray likely has the highest trade value among the players Atlanta is most willing to move.
Furthermore, his fit with the team is arguably more questionable than anyone’s, given that he and Young need to operate with the ball to be at their best and that neither is an elite on-ball defender.
As a result, multiple teams are linked to Murray ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, including the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks.
Though both franchises employ backcourt stars who need the ball in their hands, where Young is a scoring-minded point guard, Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Brunson are scoring-minded combo guards who have thrived with a point guard beside them.
With that in mind, here are the three best trades centered around Murray.
The 3 Best Trade Scenarios for Dejounte Murray
Philadelphia 76ers
76ers receive: Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Hawks receive: Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre Jr., KJ Martin, unprotected 2028 first-round pick (via LAC)
In this scenario, the Hawks ship off Murray and Bogdanovic for a trio of players on expiring contracts.
A somewhat lopsided trade in favor of the Sixers in terms of offensive talent, Harris, Oubre, and Martin’s contract situation could be considered a negative. Atlanta could lose each of these players in free agency.
However, the Hawks could also save nearly $44 million in cap commitments while picking up a future first-round pick. This could be ideal if Atlanta wants to build around Young and Jalen Johnson.
However, as a win-now team, their ability to remain in playoff contention following the trade is more important than their future flexibility.
Tobias Harris
Trading for an underrated two-way forward in Harris shores up their frontcourt rotation in the short term. He can handle tough defensive matchups and knock down outside attempts at a high rate.
Since joining the Sixers, Harris has averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 49/37/85 shooting splits.
Though his offensive averages pale compared to Murray’s numbers since joining the Hawks (20.6 points and 5.7 assists per game), he’s demonstrated more efficiency. This could pay dividends for an Atlanta offense that cannot consistently get strong performances from their players.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre is an athletic off-ball wing who would essentially replace a three-point specialist in Bogdanovic. He could start beside Young or come off the bench as his predecessor did.
Averaging 13.7 points per game on 47.5% shooting from the field and 37.4% percent from deep this season, Oubre is another addition that’s just a bit less potent offensively than who he’d be replacing. However, as a starter or a second-unit piece, Oubre’s defensive ability would be a welcome sight. Especially for a team unable to consistently keep bodies in front of them on the perimeter.
KJ Martin
Martin is an underrated addition in this trade scenario. The high-flyer forward could play a spot role for the Hawks should they find themselves without Johnson again. Though he may not be the level of two-way playmaker that Johnson is, he’s dynamic nonetheless. His physical traits should at least allow him to be dangerous in transition.
New York Knicks
Knicks receive: Dejounte Murray
Hawks receive: Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, unprotected 2024 first-round pick, top-4 protected 2025 first-round pick (via MIL)
In this trade scenario, the Hawks send Murray to a budding conference rival, which might only enhance the growing tension.
Frankly, the New York Knicks don’t have much they’re willing to offer that Atlanta would want. But among their assets is a young 3-and-D wing looking to regain his footing while the Knicks’ influx of perimeter players encroach upon his opportunities.
Quentin Grimes
Grimes, just 23 years old, is in his third NBA season after being selected 25th overall in the 2021 draft. Averaging 11.3 points per game on 38.6% shooting in the 2022-23 season, a late-season injury bug hit New York just before the playoffs, allowing Grimes to hit an unprecedented stride in the final nine games.
Over the course of those contests, he averaged 21.9 points per game. He also shot 54.3% from the field and 47.8% from beyond the arc.
Suffice it to say, even with his own injury knocking him off course during the 2023 NBA Playoffs, his averaging just 6.7 points this season is surprising. However, if given the shot attempts that Murray is currently getting, there’s little reason to believe he can’t cover around 15 points per game. If his heralded defense also crosses the toll booth, the Hawks may be better for the trade simply because Grimes is a more sensible fit beside Young than Murray.
Nonetheless, given the difference in their current production, Atlanta should be able to pry at least one first-round pick. They receive another for taking on Fournier’s contract. This is a necessity to complete the Grimes-Murray swap without the trade package getting too convoluted.
Ultimately, even if the trade doesn’t work out, the Hawks will be in a position to trade up for a top-five draft pick in the 2024 draft, given their current assets (they’re currently projected to select seventh overall in the upcoming draft).
Golden State Warriors
Warriors receive: Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Hawks receive: Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody
For the Golden State Warriors, acquiring Murray and Bogdanovic is almost too simple. Murray is a better player than Paul and puts more pressure on a defense. This is true whether he’s starting beside Stephen Curry or coming off the bench in a Jordan Poole-esque role.
Bogdanovic is 10 years older than Kuminga. However, the young forward is rumored to be unhappy about his role under head coach Steve Kerr. This is a sentiment rumored to be shared by third-year wing Moody.
Factor in that Bogdanovic offers more as an outside threat for gunslinging Golden State, and it’s not difficult to see how this trade matches up in terms of value. This is especially true if one considers Moody’s addition to the package as able to cover for the difference in production between Paul and Murray that the difference in Bogdanovic and Kuminga’s age doesn’t cover.
Ultimately, the Warriors are likely left with a starting lineup that likely includes Murray, Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Their bench will likely feature Bogdanovic and Andrew Wiggins alongside prized rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Meanwhile, the Hawks can start Paul, Moody, or Kuminga alongside Young, Johnson, Hunter, and Capela.
Who Should Start?
Regarding team needs, Moody might be the best fit in the starting lineup as a 3-and-D wing. Shooting above 36% from deep in two of his three seasons, Moody could thrive beside Young.
However, given Paul’s status in the league, Young’s penchant for scoring, and the benefit of having another capable facilitator alongside Young (in no small part because of his scoring mindset), Paul could assume starting duties once he returns from a fractured hand. Also, missing a month of playing time could allow him to reset physically. This gives his 38-year-old body extra energy ahead of a playoff run.
The difference between starting Moody and Paul would come down to role, though.
Possibly a more fitting piece beside Young offensively, Moody is also six-foot-six and a hair over 200 pounds. This makes him physically capable of guarding alongside the perimeter. That said, Paul has taken a step back defensively at this stage of his career. Meanwhile, Moody continues to be a dogged performer on that end.
Given his scoring potential, Kuminga is perhaps the most interesting option to start. If Hunter and his improved three-point shooting join Young in the backcourt, Kuminga could fit beside Johnson and Capela in the frontcourt.
In that event, Kuminga’s weaknesses – consistent perimeter defense, facilitating, and rebounding – may be hidden. Yet, his strength – iso scoring – can be highlighted alongside multiple frontcourt players who leave much to be desired in that department.
Nonetheless, given his scoring ability (the third-year forward is averaging 20.3 points per 36 minutes this season), Kuminga could also thrive in a sixth-man role in Atlanta, especially in the absence of Bogdanovic.
