Dejounte Murray’s time with the Atlanta Hawks appears to be coming to an end.Initially the front office pursued and acquired Murray in hopes of creating a potent tandem with franchise star Trae Young. Thus far, their partnership hasn’t produced much in the way of results.
Murray is a supremely talented individual talent. He is averaging 20.3 points per game this season on 46 percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The 27-year-old is also pitching in 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per outing.
In recent weeks Murray’s name has increasingly been floated as one to watch ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
This week, two front-runners seemed to emerge for Murray’s services if Atlanta does opt to move on from him.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers have interest in Murray.
The other team linked to Murray over the past few days has been the New York Knicks. There is apparently mutual interest there, with one notable roadblock – Murray’s agent Rich Paul.
One the league’s worst kept secrets is Paul’s frosty relationship with the Knicks. It appears to be a very serious roadblock to New York getting Murray unless something is ultimately worked out.
The beef between Paul and Knicks brass is severe enough that Bulls star Zach LaVine, who is also on the trade block, came out with a list of four teams he was willing to be dealt to – and then expressly listed New York as a no-go for him.
Either way, whether Murray ends up in L.A., New York or somewhere else entirely, it is becoming increasingly apparent that his time in Atlanta is coming to an end.
Where will Murray ultimately end up playing when the NBA trade deadline comes and goes in February? Time will tell.
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