Breaking: Hawks Forward Confirms Departure Amid interest from the Lakers and the Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons are reportedly considering trading for Dejounte Murray, the guard for the Atlanta Hawks. Out of all these teams, only the Lakers and the Jazz have officially made trade offers for the 2022 All-Star, as revealed by Yahoo Sports insider Jeff Fischer on The Saturday Stein Line podcast.

The Lakers and the Jazz have both put forward proposals for Dejounte Murray

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a challenging situation as LeBron James appears increasingly dissatisfied with the team’s performance. Consequently, a franchise that was once deemed successful in free agency is now rushing to make a significant in-season roster move to salvage their season. It appears that their target for this move is to acquire Dejounte Murray.

Murray, a 27-year-old dynamic point guard, has the ability to score effectively from all areas of the court and utilizes his length to disrupt opponents on defense. He is seen as an improvement over the current starting point guard, D’Angelo Russell, who is known for his shooting but lacks the consistency that Murray brings. Murray has shown his capabilities by consistently delivering efficient 20-point performances and performing exceptionally well in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, averaging 23.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

In comparison, Russell’s performance up until the 2023 Western Conference Finals was not as impactful, with lower averages in points, assists, and steals per game, as well as lower shooting percentages. The potential pairing of Murray with fan favorite Austin Reaves in the backcourt may have some drawbacks, such as weaker perimeter defense and less reliable outside shooting for the Lakers.

Overall, while there may be some concerns, adding Murray to the roster could bring significant benefits to the Lakers, especially in terms of on-court performance and consistency compared to their current options.

Why are the Jazz considering this move?

The specifics of the potential offer from the Utah Jazz for Dejounte Murray are not clear. However, it is speculated that Jordan Clarkson, Kelly Olynyk, and Talen Horton-Tucker are the top contenders to be part of the trade package. The Atlanta Hawks have shown interest in acquiring Austin Reaves in exchange for Mur

ray from the Los Angeles Lakers rather than D’Angelo Russell, making Collin Sexton an appealing option for the Jazz as a starting-level shooting guard.

Acquiring Murray through a trade would allow the Jazz to elevate their performance at the point guard position. While Kris Dunn’s style of managing the game on offense has provided stability for the team, Murray would bring a significant improvement in scoring output. Dunn is currently averaging 5.2 points per game, whereas Murray boasts an average of 21.5 points per game. Despite Dunn’s stronger on-ball defensive skills, Murray shares similar physical attributes in terms of length and athleticism.

If Sexton, who has been averaging 21.6 points per game as a starter this season, is traded for Murray, Utah could potentially pair the Seattle native with either Dunn or the promising rookie Keyonte George in the backcourt. Clarkson, a player favored by Jazz head coach Will Hardy, might also see himself returning to a starting role.

The combination of Dunn and Murray would provide the Jazz with two solid defenders. George and Murray could offer clutch performances together. Pairing Murray with Clarkson would give Utah two dynamic scorers capable of putting up at least 20 points in any game. Due to Murray’s superior length compared to Sexton, standing at 6-foot-5 compared to 6-foot-3, he may fit better in various backcourt arrangements. Another scenario could involve pairing Murray with Sexton, creating a duo of versatile playmakers known for their competitiveness.

Taking a broad perspective

When considering potential trade partners like the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz, it becomes evident why the Atlanta Hawks are hesitant to accept any offers. Dejounte Murray doesn’t seem like the ideal fit alongside Trae Young. Despite this, none of the options, whether it’s D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, or Collin Sexton, present a significant upgrade over Murray. This holds true even if the Hawks were to secure Austin Reaves in the deal.

In all honesty, the top trade candidate for Atlanta is no longer on the table: now it’s OG Anunoby from the New York Knicks.

Anunoby, a top-tier 3-and-D player known for his defensive prowess and ability to excel off the ball, would seamlessly complement Young. Having settled in well with his new team in New York after being traded from the Toronto Raptors, Anunoby has integrated smoothly with his teammates and has delivered impressive performances. While there are other 3-and-D players across the league that could interest the Hawks, pursuing them might not be worth it if it involves parting ways with Murray.

That being said, among the teams interested in Murray, the most appealing 3-and-D player available for trade could be Devin Vassell from the San Antonio Spurs. With an average of 18.6 points per game on 37.6% shooting over the last two seasons, Vassell consistently demonstrates starter-level production and efficiency. Like Murray, he excels more as a defender off the ball rather than on it. However, as an Atlanta native and an off-ball wing player, Vassell aligns better with Young’s playing style offensively.