Count the Milwaukee Bucks as one of the teams interested in Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, who is likely the hottest name on the NBA trade market. Their interest in Murray is both surprising and interesting, considering that they already have a starting point guard in Damian Lillard. Though, if they were to acquire him, the plan would probably be for them to play together.
That being said, the Bucks don't have much in the way of picks after trading away most of their selections to build one of the best teams in the NBA. They still have a few to offer the Hawks in a potential deal for Murray. With that being said, let's take a look at what a potential deal between the Bucks and Hawks could look like.
NBA Trades: The Bucks go for broke in a wild proposed deal with the Hawks
The proposed deal would see the Bucks get creative with their remaining draft stockpile to facilitate a deal with the Hawks to land Murray. Their draft stockpile is already low, especially since the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers own swap rights to three of their five remaining picks. However, they could still trade the swap rights to those picks to Atlanta in a complicated but legal deal.
Correct, and Milwaukee would retain a pick in this situation. They would essentially be giving Atlanta the secondary right to swap.
— Andy (@AndyJPuente) January 19, 2024
So the Pelicans, who would have first swap rights, get the best pick of the 3. Atlanta gets the 2nd best. Milwaukee gets the worst.
The Bucks can also throw in two second-round picks and easily match salaries in a deal for Murray and the Hawks since he is only making $18.2 million this year. Milwaukee could include Pat Connaughton, Bobby Portis Jr., and recent first-round pick Marjon Beauchamp.
With the Hawks asking for two first-round picks for Murray, that has likely gotten several teams interested since Murray is a legit starting point guard who is only 27 and under contract for the next 4 years at a reasonable price.
That being the case, the Hawks are all but certain to have better offers on the table so this potential offer probably isn't swaying the Hawks. That is, unless Milwaukee can find an interested third team or Atlanta believes they can trade the players they received for picks later.
Barring that, the Bucks probably don't have the assets needed to acquire Murray. Even still, it isn't out of the realm of possibility considering that no one had them trading for Lillard this past summer. Be that as it may, the after-effects of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Pelicans and the Lillard trade still limit their chances of pulling off another surprise deal for an All-Star guard.