There are numerous theories circulating regarding what changes the Golden State Warriors will make this offseason. Golden State might press the reset button as Klay Thompson hits free agency and Draymond Green returns from another tumultuous season.
The Warriors might also try to make one final push around Thompson, Green, and Steph Curry. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report compiled five trade recommendations for teams eager to go all-in next season.
One of the suggested trades involves the Warriors acquiring Atlanta Hawks standout guard Dejounte Murray. The Hawks, like the Warriors, have many rumors about whether Murray and Trae Young will be split up.
Golden State’s trade proposal involves sending Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Gary Payton II, and an unprotected 2025 first-round pick to Atlanta. Murray would join the Warriors as the centerpiece of this massive transaction.
Let’s look at if this trade proposal makes sense for the Warriors or the Hawks.
Warriors Rumors: Could Dejounte Murray, a Hawks guard, be a fit for Golden State?
With Murray joining Curry, Thompson, and Green, the Warriors would effectively form a big four. Murray, a former All-Star and All-Defensive player, has a lot going for him.
This season, Murray averaged a career-high 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 36.3% from long range. Murray is about to sign a four-year, $114 million contract that will extend through the 2027-28 season.
Murray’s cap hit for the following season is $25.4 million. All of this is quite acceptable for a point guard who continues to perform.
Murray’s fit alongside Curry is likely to be a little cleaner than it was in Atlanta with Young. Both Hawks talents require the ball in their hands to shine. Swartz believes the Warriors “should be operating like a desperate team this offseason” given Curry’s limited time.
“The Warriors should be operating like a desperate team this offseason after finishing 10th in the West and missing the playoffs,” Swartz wrote in a May 9, 2024 article titled, “Blockbuster NBA Trades for Teams Ready to Risk It All.”
Curry would be able to defend the smaller backcourt opponent and focus on his shooting, which is usually beneficial, rather than making plays for others. Klay Thompson can still be the team’s starting small forward if he re-signs, which may be preferable as he approaches the age-34 season.
“Giving up some of the young talent is necessary to get an All-Star talent like Murray, and the Warriors still get to keep Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.”
It’s unclear what the Hawks will do this offseason. Although the roster is not lacking in skill, players such as Young and Murray have struggled to succeed together.
During an exclusive conversation with Heavy Sports, Atlanta resident Taylor Rooks discussed the trade speculations surrounding the two Hawks guards. Rooks wonders if Young is the guard that the Hawks front staff trades this offseason.
“In terms of what they should do in the offseason, I am a big advocate of putting every player in a situation that works for them,” the TNT Sports expert told Heavy Sports in an April 18 interview. “I believe that if Trae and the Hawks have a chat and realize, ‘Okay, this is not working. We definitely had a fantastic year [in 2021]. We advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.
“But I think Hawks supporters are trying to figure out what the missing piece is. Is that piece missing, or does it need to be replaced?” Rooks added. “Whatever it is, I think Hawks fans really liked Dejounte. Dejounte was able to step up significantly when Trae was injured. That squad was able to click in a variety of ways.
This trade would allow the franchise to rebuild around Young. Kuminga and Moody offer Atlanta two exciting wings to go with Young. Both players have a lot of potential, albeit lacking Murray’s current star power.
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