Report: Dejounte Murray Deal Between Hawks and Pelicans Has "Halted with no progress in sight by the trade deadline"

The Pelicans and Hawks had been discussing a trade to send Murray to New Orleans

It looks like there might not be a deal between the Hawks and the Pelicans involving Dejounte Murray. 

According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, "A deal between Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans for Dejounte Murray has halted with no progress in sight by the trade deadline." Haynes mentioned yesterday that the Pelicans were considered a sleeper team for Murray. 

A deal between Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans for Dejounte Murray has halted with no progress in sight by the trade deadline, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 8, 2024

It was not only Haynes that mentioned the possibility of Murray going to New Orleans. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned it this morning on his podcast: 

"I do think there's another team that has piqued Atlanta's interest and vice versa, and that's New Orleans," said Adrian Wojnarowski. "There's been some conversations. I don't know if they've elevated quite yet. I think there maybe could be some more here leading to the trade deadline on a deal that I don't think would include CJ McCollum. I think it would be Dejounte Murray with him."

Wojnarowski adds that the Pelicans would have an interest in Onyeka Okongwu along with Murray.

Dejounte Murray vs the Kings / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

With the Pelicans seemingly out of the picture, is there a chance Murray is not dealt or will a team such as the Lakers, Knicks, 76ers, or someone else emerge as a suitor for the Hawks guard?

Today before the Haynes report suggesting New Orleans was out of the Murray race, Hoopshype NBA insider Michael Scotto gave the latest intel he was hearing about a Murray trade:

"Following the OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam trades, many around the league believed the next big domino to fall would be Hawks guard Dejounte Murray.

Leading up to the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers have been the top suitor for Murray, league sources told HoopsHype. However, talks involving D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick have stalled with Atlanta unwilling to take back Russell while prioritizing expiring contracts to avoid the luxury tax next season.

Elsewhere, the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks have both expressed interest in acquiring Murray, sources said, but for a lesser cost than what Atlanta wants.The Knicks have Evan Fournier’s expiring contract, a future first-round pick to dangle along with Quentin Grimes, a player coveted by the Hawks, league sources told HoopsHype. However, New York has been rolling since the acquisition of Anunoby and some within the organization question the fit of Murray next to Jalen Brunson.

The Nets can dangle Spencer Dinwiddie’s expiring contract and a future protected first-round pick. Despite Dinwiddie unlikely to return to Brooklyn next season, according to league sources, the Nets haven’t overwhelmingly made a strong push to land Murray. Despite some reported speculation, the Nets haven’t had substantive conversations with the Lakers and Hawks about joining as a third team to take on Russell’s contract, HoopsHype has learned. The New Orleans Pelicans have also become a dark horse player in the Murray sweepstakes and have expressed interest in the Hawks guard.

With less than 24 hours until the deadline, It remains to be seen if the Lakers can find that third team to take on Russell’s contract and facilitate a trade to land Murray. It’s also worth noting that Murray has a 15 percent trade kicker in his contract, which is unlikely to be waived to help facilitate a trade, HoopsHype has learned.

The theme with the teams most notably connected to Murray is that none have been able or willing to discuss more than one first-round pick while Atlanta is holding out for at least two first-round picks. Atlanta can wait until the offseason to move Murray while looking to duck the luxury tax for next season with the hope of a larger market developing. It’s a scenario rival executives believe is gaining more traction as the deadline nears."

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