Warriors Linked to Trade for $114 Million Star to Pair With Stephen Curry
For the Golden State Warriors, losers of eight of their last 11 games and a team in danger of falling out of the West’s playoff picture altogether, the time has come to recognize that if the organization wants to rescue the last remaining good years of Stephen Curry’s career, something drastic will need to be done. Curry turns 36 in March, after all, and the Warriors are 12th in the West, two spots away from even making the play-in tournament.
Plenty of names have been tossed around in connection with the Warriors ahead of next month’s NBA trade deadline, but one might make the most sense for a team in need of playmaking: Dejounte Murray of the Hawks.
At The Athletic, Murray is linked to the Warriors as a “best fit” ahead of the trade deadline.
He won’t come cheap. The Warriors would have to give up two first-round picks to get him, as Atlanta is asking. Perhaps that price could be negotiated downward, especially considering that Murray already has an unwieldy four-year, $114 million extension in place. But the Warriors need to do something to rescue this year, and Murray might be the guy who could accomplish that.
Currently, Murray is averaging 21.0 points, 4.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds for Atlanta. He is shooting 47.1% from the field and 38.3% from the 3-point line. He has not been particularly good defensively for Atlanta, but he has the ability to be an excellent defensive player.
A combination of shooting, defense and the kind of playmaking that could take pressure off Curry would make Murray an ideal fit. Financially, the situation with Murray could be tricky, as the Warriors would likely have to take back both Murray and another big-salaried player if they want to unload their most expendable trade chip, Chris Paul, in a deal. Paul is on the books for $30.8 million this year, but next year, his contract is not guaranteed.
The Hawks have been trying to move center Clint Capela, who has another year on his contract worth $22 million. The Warriors do need size, too, so taking on Capela might be a good idea for the Warriors, even if it puts further strain on the team’s already overwrought payroll.
If the Warriors included Moses Moody instead of a pick, then a package of Paul, Cory Joseph and Moody, along with one first-rounder, would work as a package that brings back Murray and Capela.