Ranking 5 Dejounte Murray trades packages from worst to best

The San Antonio Spurs are rumored to have interest in bringing back Dejounte Murray. Yes, the 6’5 point guard who became an All-Star in his six years in the Alamo, and the front office traded to Atlanta for four first-round draft picks in 2022. The Hawks are struggling, and the Spurs desperately need a point guard. Fans have seen what Murray can do in San Antonio, and it appears both sides are past their problems with the other.

The All-Star guard won’t come cheap. Atlanta wants to retool around Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. Expect them to prioritize players who can help them now over maximizing their draft capital. The Spurs have more picks than they can make over the next seven years, but what young talent are they willing to part with?

This would be a fascinating trade. Murray’s value has dropped as he played next to Ice Trae in Atlanta. San Antonio has the assets to make a deal, and here are five possible packages ranked from worst to best for the Spurs.

5. Spurs land Murray as Hawks try to stay in contention

San Antonio is not contending this season, but they want to build a championship roster around Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs should be determining who fits and clearing out the players that don’t. Keldon Johnson could be on the block, and the Hawks are searching for versatile wings.

Atlanta must pick a lane. If they attempt to avoid the total rebuild, getting players who can help immediately makes sense. Could the Hawks land two plus significant draft capital from San Antonio? This package will be discussed.

Assuming the Spurs could get a first-round pick for Keldon Johnson, this is of equal or greater value than what the Hawks paid for Murray coming off his All-Star season in San Antonio. This would be the worst-case scenario for the Spurs and a definite overpay.

The selections matter. The Spurs have a first-rounder from Charlotte, which will likely turn into two seconds. Atlanta may look to get back some of their own picks or unprotected Spurs ones. San Antonio likely attempts to move lesser selections. Not all firsts are equal, but they have enough in the Alamo to reach a middle ground.

Expect the San Antonio Spurs to try to lessen the draft pick cost by adding a young talent or two into the deal.

4. Spurs give up young talent to get Dejounte Murray

San Antonio has 11 players on their roster under 25 years old. They knew it would be a rebuilding season, but what pieces do they give up if it means landing an All-Star point guard? They have made four first-round draft picks in the last two years. Victor Wembanyama is not going anywhere, but others could be on the block in the right deal.

The Spurs may offer multiple young players in hopes of limiting the draft picks they have to give up. Atlanta is searching for wing depth and could be eager to get former first-round picks with room to grow.

Wesley has barely played and shown little when he was on the floor, but Branham could be a key piece for the Spurs. The 20-year-old has started 18 of the last 20 games he has played and averaged 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 24.5 minutes per contest in the final 18 of the calendar year.

It would hurt to lose Keldon Johnson, two 2022 first-round picks, and two future selections, but the Spurs are getting Dejounte Murray. He would finally be back in a lead ball-handling role and could blossom further playing off Wemby. San Antonio could have an elite defense and a scary offense with that star duo.

The Spurs also picks up A.J. Griffin as a young talent to develop. Griffin hasn’t played much in Atlanta but still has immense potential. San Antonio does not want to give up Branham or Wesley, but they might be forced if they are set on landing Murray.

3. Hawks go full tank as Spurs land Dejounte

Atlanta is seven games under .500 and currently 12th in the Eastern Conference. They are just one game behind the Nets for tenth and the final Play-In Tournament berth, but the Hawks cannot consider themselves contenders. Does Atlanta tank and try to land a high lottery pick to pair with Trae Young and Jalen Johnson moving forward?

If the Hawks go this route, they will be searching for unprotected or lightly protected first-round picks. They may jump at the chance to land a top-six protected selection from the Raptors in 2024, get their own unprotected pick back in 2025, and a third unprotected Spurs choice. It would likely be all they get other than salary-matching.

The Hawks would be able to quickly remake their roster. They could pull off more trades or just add the prospects to their core. Trae Young is 25, and Atlanta could be ready to compete again in three years. They would need Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, and their future picks to blossom, which is possible.

The San Antonio Spurs do not want to give up more than this, but the Hawks will demand it. Could Gregg Popovich and company convince Atlanta to give them another key rotation piece in the deal?

2. Spurs add 2 key pieces around Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs have Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman as expiring contracts on their books. They could use them coupled with Keldon Johnson to add multiple pieces in this trade. The Hawks are open to trading De’Andre Hunter, and he could be a fantastic fit in the Alamo.

The former fourth-overall pick is currently out with a knee injury, but he shot over 40 percent from 3-point range in his first 24 games. He has struggled on the defensive end, but the Spurs have Victor Wembanyama cleaning up the backline. Could Hunter’s game pop in San Antonio? The Spurs may try to find out.

Hunter’s injury history has to be a worry, but getting Murray and Hunter instantly improves their depth in San Antonio. They would have plenty of draft capital to further upgrade their roster. The Spurs will have another top pick in the 2024 draft and will be searching for a key piece of their core.

San Antonio needs more talent if they going to build a true contender around Victor Wembanyama. Here they get two quality starters, but can they stay healthy? It is certainly a risk. The best move for both sides may involve a third team. 

1. A 3-team deal nets Spurs a guard and big man

The Pelicans were rumored to be searching for a center upgrade in the offseason. They wanted someone who could protect the rim, and the Hawks have Clint Capela on the block. The Spurs could grab Dejounte Murray for Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott, and three protected first-round picks and see Atlanta get a monster return.

New Orleans has plenty of draft capital and would be willing to give up a first-round pick if they thought Capela was a better fit with their core. It could create spacing issues, and Jonas Valancinuas has been outstanding this season. Still, the Pelicans may look to move on, and the Spurs could take back JV in this blockbuster deal.

Fans can question the fit with Valanciunas and Wemby, but the current Pelicans big man is on an expiring contract. If it keeps the price down of acquiring Dejounte Murray, the Spurs would gladly add JV for the remainder of the season.

Expect San Antonio to take a massive leap in year two with Victor Wembanyama. They will be in the playoff mix, especially if they trade for Dejounte Murray or another star point guard. Stay tuned to see what the Spurs can do before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.