According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Miami Heat are a “legitimate” landing spot for Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray.
The Hawks are widely expected to trade Murray before the NBA trade deadline in February and the Heat have left rival teams with the impression that they are looking for ball-handling reinforcements, per Fischer.
The Hawks acquired Murray from the San Antonio Spurs in June 2022. Murray and Trae Young guided Atlanta to 41 wins last season. In the 2023 playoffs, the Hawks lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round in six games.
Despite Atlanta’s short run in the 2023 postseason, the front office signed Murray to a four-year, $114 million extension in July. Murray is averaging 21.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 46.6% from the floor, 39.4% from 3 and 81.4% from the free-throw line, but the Hawks are only 15-21.
The Heat, meanwhile, are 21-16. They are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. A “Big 3” of Murray, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo could potentially do serious damage since all three All-Stars are strong two-way players.
Murray is making $17.7 million this season. His extension kicks in next season. The Washington product will make $24.8 million in 2024-25 and $26.8 million in 2025-26.
Along with the Heat, Murray is drawing interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. The 27-year-old has career averages of 14.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Spurs and Hawks. Murray made the 2017-18 NBA All-Defensive Second Team and won the 2021-22 steals title with San Antonio.