For several seasons, Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray has been at the center of trade speculation. Despite these rumors, Murray remains with Atlanta and may continue to do so in the near future. However, reports from Ben Anderson of Utah’s KSL Sports suggest that the Hawks tried to trade Murray to the Utah Jazz around the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. In return, the Hawks sought rookie guard Keyonte George. However, the Jazz declined the trade offer.
“I can confirm that there were discussions regarding Dejounte Murray joining the Jazz during the trade deadline, but the proposed deal would have involved Keyonte George going to the Hawks, and the Jazz ultimately declined the offer.”
In his debut season, George exhibited glimpses of promise with the Jazz. The Texas native participated in 75 games, starting 44 of them. Throughout the season, George maintained averages of 13 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. His consistent performance earned him a position on the 2024 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In his final game of the season, George showcased his skills by scoring 21 points on an impressive 8-for-11 shooting from the field, including a remarkable 5-for-6 from beyond the arc.
While Murray is undoubtedly a talented player, the Jazz’s decision to turn down the trade offer likely signifies their high regard for George. At just 20 years old, George has the potential to become Utah’s long-term solution at the point guard position.
The Utah Jazz reportedly declined to pursue a trade for a former All-Star player, indicating that they may be content with their current roster composition. Meanwhile, regarding Dejounte Murray’s future with the Atlanta Hawks, speculation suggests that changes are imminent for the team, particularly with the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. With the possibility of a re-tooling or even a full rebuild on the horizon, it’s likely that the Hawks will need to make decisions regarding their roster, potentially involving players like Murray or Trae Young, according to insights from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
It appears that there is a growing consensus among rival executives that the Atlanta Hawks will undergo significant changes in their backcourt this offseason, potentially resulting in the departure of either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray. While there was previously considerable resistance to trading Young, recent developments suggest that the Hawks may now be more receptive to such discussions than ever before.
Moreover, emerging reports indicate that Young is the more probable candidate to be traded out of the two players.
If the Hawks decide to part ways with Trae Young, Dejounte Murray would likely step into the role as the team’s primary cornerstone alongside whoever they select in the upcoming draft. At just 27 years old, Murray, a former All-Star, has demonstrated consistent growth throughout his career and could further elevate his game with an expanded role next season.
Furthermore, aside from potentially restructuring their backcourt, recent indications suggest that the Hawks may also be willing to explore trade options for other key players on their roster. Specifically, there is speculation that the team could consider trading center Clint Capela during the offseason, as reported by Marc Stein.
As Clint Capela celebrates his 30th birthday, it’s worth noting that he will enter the final year of his contract next season, which carries a value of $22.3 million. Despite averaging 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots per game this season, the emergence of Onyeka Okongwu and the likelihood of adding another big man through the upcoming draft, especially with Atlanta holding the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1975, are factors that could render Capela expendable for the Hawks.
While a trade involving Dejounte Murray appears increasingly likely, no official announcement has been made as of yet. Nonetheless, it’s evident that the Atlanta Hawks are poised for a busy offseason ahead. With potential changes looming and significant decisions to be made, the Hawks will undoubtedly be active as they navigate through the upcoming summer months.