Bombshell rumour swirls surrounding $176m Hawks star

The NBA’s silly season is drawing closer and the rumours are beginning to swirl with one star linked with a blockbuster move.

Dejounte Murray is being linked with a blockbuster trade.  (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

One of the biggest names to keep an eye on ahead of next year’s NBA trade deadline is Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray and he isn’t expected to have a shortage of suitors.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported in his latest Substack that “multiple teams consulted in Orlando” at the G League Showcase believe the Hawks will “explore” a potential trade involving Murray.

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The 27-year-old is not expected to be the only Atlanta player available before the deadline though, with Stein also previously reporting Clint Capela and De’Andre Hunter are “widely believed to be in play again this winter”.

That is consistent with the external perception that this version of the Hawks, led by Trae Young, does not have the right supporting cast to become a true contender in the East.

So, Atlanta looks set to retool its roster once more and Murray, who still has four years and $120 million left on his contract extension, could be on the move.

Dejounte Murray could be up for grabs. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP

The Knicks are tipped to show interest in the young guard as a perfect complement to Jalen Brunson but they will have competition, with the Lakers also potentially circling in the background.

Prominent NBA insider Shams Charania said on Wednesday morning that Murray is a “potential target” for the Lakers should they pass on Bulls guard Zach LaVine.

“One player that I am told to keep an eye on, a potential target for the Lakers, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray,” Charania said on FanDuel TV.

“LaVine is in the second year of a $215 million ($A315m) deal. Murray still has four years, $120 million ($A176m) of an extension that kicks in next season, so that is a little bit better when you think about a reasonable salary to be bringing in when you already have LeBron James and Anthony Davis on your books.

“The Hawks’ direction of course, it’s in flux, they gave up multiple first-round picks and a swap to go and get Dejounte Murray a couple of summers ago from the Spurs. But if we look at the Lakers’ asset pool, they have one first-round pick they can trade now, or they can wait until draft time and they’ll have three first-round picks to trade.

“So, any deal that the Lakers may want to pursue for a star player is going to have to most likely include guys like Austin Reaves, Max Christie — that’s what teams would want. The Lakers obviously have shown no inclination of wanting to move Austin Reaves. But those are the types of players that teams would ask for.”

"One more player to keep an eye on I'm told, a potential target for the Lakers, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray."

Shams Charania on possible trade ideas for the Lakers.

(via @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/jBmz2VyXmg

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 26, 2023

Meanwhile, as for the Knicks’ reported interest in Murray, SNY’s Ian Begley reported there is an “additional hurdle” in a potential move — the fact he is represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports Group.

“The New York Daily News reported in 2022 that Klutch opposed a trade of client Zach LaVine to the Knicks. That dynamic is still present today,” Begley wrote.

“I’m told that Paul remains reluctant to do business with the Knicks, who are led by team president Leon Rose and executive vice president William Wesley.

“Rose was a top agent at CAA before he took over the Knicks; Wesley was a consultant for the agency before he joined Rose in New York.”

Begley went on to add that if Murray singled out the Knicks as his favoured destination in a trade Paul “wouldn’t stand in the way”.

The Knicks also have interest. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

But if Murray doesn’t specifically request a move to New York? Well, in that case, Begley reported Paul would be “reluctant to deal with the Knicks”.

Why? The report from The Daily News in 2022 claimed the Knicks have a “reputation around the league of favouring clients of CAA, the agency that employed Leon Rose before his move to the Knicks front office”.

Begley reported he heard Klutch may change its stance, but only if “there is an in-person meeting between Paul and the Knicks, presumably including Rose and Wesley”.

“Until and unless the two sides meet in person, the Klutch-Knicks Cold War will remain in place,” Begley added.

Either way, Murray’s future in Atlanta is something to watch ahead of the deadline.

WHY LAVINE DOESN’T FIT THE BILL FOR 76ERS

Elsewhere, LaVine is obviously the other big name that could be on the move before the deadline, although Philadelphia may not be the likely landing spot for the All-Star guard.

The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry previously suggested “all signs are pointing” towards the Lakers and Bulls coming to an agreement before the deadline.

Whether that is for LaVine or veterans DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso remains to be seen.

LaVine has also been linked to the 76ers as they aim to further establish themselves in the Eastern Conference championship picture, although it seems Philadelphia may look elsewhere.

Stein reported that league sources claim Philadelphia is “still prioritising a two-way player... as well as a move as well as a move that does not limit its future optionality”.

Given LaVine’s hefty contract and the fact he doesn’t really qualify as a two-way player, the 76ers appear to have other targets ahead of the deadline.

LaVine appears set to be on the move. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP.

CELTICS EYE BIG MAN DEPTH

Speaking of Eastern Conference contenders, the Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA right now and they could get even better before the deadline.

Stein reported in his latest Substack that league sources believe Boston is “among teams monitoring” Utah’s Kelly Olynyk, who is believed to be “one of a number of Jazz veterans known to be available”.

It would be a reunion for Olynyk if he ended up back in Boston, having been drafted by Ainge and the Celtics with the 13th overall pick back in 2013.

Olynyk played his first four seasons in the NBA for the Celtics before moving around a fair bit with stints at Miami, Houston and Detroit before his latest stop at Utah.

Olynyk would bolster Boston’s big man depth behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, although the Celtics are already over the luxury tax and would have to match his $12 million ($A18m) salary.

Originally published as Bombshell rumour swirls surrounding $176m Hawks star