Trade Rumors: Why Has Knicks' Interest in Dejounte Murray 'Cooled Off?'
The New York Rangers' playing surface isn't the only source of ice at Madison Square Garden.
Per NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the New York Knicks are on the cusp of suspending their pursuit of Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray. Atlanta's demand for an extra first-round pick appears to be a sticking point in the negotiations.
"I’ve touched on the Knicks as another team that was in the hunt for Murray. That has cooled off," Scotto said on the Hoops Hype podcast released on Thursday. "New York currently feels the asking price for Murray is a bit too high right now."
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"It’s one thing for a first-round pick, the expiring contract of Evan Fournier and Quentin Grimes. That package has been kicked around," Scotto continued. "But that extra first-round pick Atlanta is looking for hasn’t been something that New York has an appetite to move at this point."
With the Knicks apparently out, Scott says the Los Angeles Lakers could swoop in. Atlanta (18-26) currently holds the fourth and final Play-In Tournament spot in the Eastern Conference but will likely look to sell as it ponders its future.
Murray, an All-Star in 2022, lingered on the Knicks' radar as they sought deeper scoring options and enhanced defense. Both departments appear to be bolstered by the arrival of OG Anunoby from Toronto.
Having gotten into a bit of a groove and a sense of familiarity in the New York lineup, Anunoby is averaging 15.8 points over his last eight games on over 51 percent shooting, including just over 41 percent from three-point range. In that same span, the Knicks have won six of eight and have posted a defensive rating of 104.8, second-best in the league behind only Cleveland.
If the Knicks (27-17) do opt to make a move, Scott reported that the team continues to keep an eye on another potential Toronto refugee in Bruce Brown, a self-described perfect in Tom Thibodeau's system. The Knicks could also keep an eye on the interior market depending on the fluctuating status of starting center Isaiah Hartenstein.
The 2024 NBA trade deadline lands on Feb. 8. In the meantime, the Knicks face the defending champion Denver Nuggets at home on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
