NBA Trade Idea: Hawks' Dejounte Murray to Magic?
The Orlando Magic have made some noise in the Eastern Conference this season, and look like a real contender for the playoffs. But do they have enough to compete with the best of the best the way the roster is currently constructed?
Currently, the Magic's leading guard scorer is Cole Anthony, who averages 13.7 points per game off the bench. Sophomore forward Paolo Banchero leads the team in assists with just 4.8 per game, with not a single other player averaging more than four.
It's safe to say that Orlando lacks offensive power from the guard position this season, the question is, will it make a move to solve that problem. Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is reportedly available, with the team willing to move him for the right price.
Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks could possibly be traded before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8.
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"That leaves us with Murray, a 27-year-old, 6-foot-5 combo guard posting career numbers, before a four-year, $114 million extension kicks in for the 2024-25 campaign," Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports writes. "His defensive reputation may have proven overstated since coming out of San Antonio, but Murray is still valued as a true plus on that end of the floor. Combine all of his production with the looming new ramifications of a harsher second luxury-tax apron, and Murray’s longterm number is considered relatively modest for his talents."
Murray would make an excellent addition to the Magic's roster, creating a big three with Banchero and Franz Wagner that would lead the team for the foreseeable future. The cost of trading for Murray is unclear, but the move could vault Orlando into the next tier of contenders in the Eastern Conference.
The 27-year-old guard is averaging 21.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists as the secondary guard on his team, while hitting 39.7 percent of his threes.
The NBA trade deadline is set for Feb. 8.
