When rumors began to swirl that the San Antonio Spurs were open to trading All-Star point guard Dejoute Murray, it raised a lot of eyebrows. Murray is coming off his first NBA All-Star appearance, putting together an incredible 2021-22 season.
The Washington product averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and a league-high 2.0 steals per game. All four stats were career-highs for Murray, who also shot a career-best tying 46.2 percent from the field and logged 34.8 minutes per game, also a career-high.
Moving a player when their value is highest is a practice that teams across all sports have used throughout time. For the Spurs, who are stuck in the dreaded middle-land of the league, there are some pros to trading Murray right now when his value is highest.
If they have their eyes on bottoming out and working their way into the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes in the 2023 NBA Draft, moving on from Murray will certainly help them achieve that. In 14 games without Murray last season, the Spurs went 4-10, so they would likely finish near the top of the lottery without him for a full season.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks In Deep Trade Talks Involving Dejounte Murray
It should come as no surprise that plenty of teams are showing interest in him. He is a talented, two-way performer that showed last season he can stuff the stat sheet. Thus far, two teams have emerged as serious contenders for him; the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Interestingly, an insider close to the situation says that the Spurs have multiple teams making a strong push for Murray besides the Hawks…He also stated that the Minnesota Timberwolves have expressed serious interest in Murray.”
The Hawks are reportedly deep into trade discussions on a deal centered around Danilo Gallinari and his partially guaranteed contract and multiple first-round picks. Murray would make a strong backcourt partner for Trae Young, helping compensate for his weaknesses defensively.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks In Deep Trade Talks Involving Dejounte Murray
The Minnesota Timberwolves could be in the market for a point guard as they are expected to trade D’Angelo Russell. Would the Spurs have any interest in him, given that he is on an expiring contract? Minnesota owns all of their draft picks through 2029 as well which can be used to build a package.
Both teams make sense as suitors for Murray, as Atlanta and Minnesota could both use some more help defensively. Murray is an elite defender as his length enables him to defend multiple positions and he is very disruptive in the passing lanes.
