NBA Trades: 10 win-now deals Portland can make to give Dame a co-star
By Cal Durrett
Co-star #8: Dejounte Murray
Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray just finished his first season with the team, but he could be moved again. With the Hawks’ first-round exit and them reportedly willing to discuss trades for Trae Young, Murray could also be available. After all, he will be an unrestricted free agent after next season and will likely be expecting to sign a big deal after signing a cheap one with the Spurs.
Paying Young $40+ million and Murray $30+ million a season, respectively, in addition to the rest of the team probably isn’t realistic for the Hawks. As a result, they could shop him, and Portland should consider trading for him. Why? Of the players on this list, Murray is the best defensive player on the list as well as the most obtainable. Teams don’t tend to overpay for players on one-year contracts, and that will likely drive his value down.
Therefore, if Portland were to offer up Anfernee Simons, a 23-year-old rising star on an affordable contract, and a first-round pick, Atlanta might not get a better offer. Lillard and Murray may be less explosive than the Blazers’ current one, but Murray is a well-rounded player that can boost Portland’s backcourt. He’d allow Lillard to play more off-ball, defend the other team’s best guard, and even help Portland on the glass after ranking 27th in rebounding.