NBA trade rumors are starting to fly as the season is officially 30-plus games into the 2023-24 season and everyone is starting to get a feel of who might be on the move towards the trade deadline. One name that has sparked some interest throughout the league is Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray.
Though the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks have reportedly logged interest, one sleeper team that could sneak in at the deadline is the Miami Heat.
The Heat are 19-14 and, up to this point, have been doing what they can while dealing with injuries since the start of the season. While it's been known that the Heat are strong believers in their core, trading for Murray could solve a lot of their problems in the now, and in the future.
Trading for Murray would be a bit difficult to gauge, considering where the Hawks currently sit. Do they retool around Trae Young and look for younger players to develop, are they looking for a win-now player, or are they looking for draft capital? It's uncertain as of now, but the Heat could put together a package that could give Atlanta bit of everything.
The Heat could put together a package of Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jovic, and their draft capital, along with sending Caleb Martin out for either more capital or a win-now player being rerouted to the Hawks. The Hawks could reroute other players as well to make room for Lowry. As of now, that is a drastic move to make in January, but by the trade deadline in February, they'll know exactly where they stand and where they should go.
Obtaining Lowry will relieve Atlanta of a portion of cap space going into the next offseason to retool what has been a disappointing team.
Is Dejounte Murray a good fit for the Miami Heat?
So, would Murray be a good fit and should the Heat do it? Murray is currently averaging 20 points, four rebounds and five assists shooting 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.
In the hypothetical trade, you lose Lowry who is averaging nine points a game and four assists. Murray's stats may take a hit coming to the Heat, but he'll be in a system that thrives on a drive-and-kick offense and he will finally get to play point guard rather than shooting guard.
It's yet to be seen if Murray is still an elite point-of-attack defender, as he has fallen off quite a bit on that end, but getting him under Erik Spoelstra could reignite that flame. It'd be a bit of a risk, but he still is an athletic guard with good court vision and can still be a serviceable defender, even if he's lost a step on that end.
For the Heat's future, this would be a smart long-term move. Murray is making nearly $17 million a year and would be a fit for not only this current core but could run with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro later down the line.
Letting Lowry walk for nothing doesn't benefit the Heat in any way. They'll still be over the cap, refraining from signing another key guard for the group, so this is a way they can move laterally from Lowry. It comes down to whether or not the Heat want to risk later capital for a win-now move.
What's encouraging is that trading for Murray likely wouldn't require all of Miami's draft capital. If the Hawks continue to disappoint and decide to make some major moves, the Heat could be the beneficiaries of any fire sale. It'll be interesting where the Hawks are when the trade deadline rolls around.