For the Golden State Warriors, who have lost eight of their last 11 games and are in danger of falling out of the Western Conference playoff picture entirely, the time has come to recognize that if the organization wants to save Stephen Curry’s remaining good years, something drastic must be done. Curry turns 36 in March, and the Warriors are currently 12th in the West, two spots shy of making the play-in tournament.
A number of names have been mentioned in connection with the Warriors ahead of next month’s NBA trade deadline, but one may make the most sense for a team in need of playmaking: Dejounte Murray of the Hawks.
According to The Athletic, Murray is a “best fit” for the Warriors ahead of the trade deadline.
He will not come cheap. The Warriors would have to give up two first-round picks to get him, as Atlanta has requested. Perhaps that price can be negotiated lower, especially since Murray already has a four-year, $114 million extension in place. However, the Warriors need to do something to save themselves this season, and Murray could be the guy to do so.
Chris Paul and Dejounte Murray may be traded by the Warriors.
Murray currently averages 21.0 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds for Atlanta. He shoots 47.1% from the field and 38.3% from the three-point line. He hasn’t played particularly well defensively for Atlanta, but he has the potential to be an excellent defensive player.
Murray would be an ideal fit due to his shooting, defense, and playmaking abilities, which could relieve pressure on Curry. Financially, Murray’s situation could be complicated, as the Warriors would most likely have to return both Murray and another high-paid player if they want to unload their most valuable trade chip, Chris Paul, in a transaction. Paul’s contract is worth $30.8 million this year, but it is not guaranteed for next year.
The Hawks have been trying to trade center Clint Capela, who has another year on his $22 million contract. The Warriors also require size, so signing Capela could be a good idea for the Warriors, even if it puts additional strain on the team’s already overburdened budget.
If the Warriors included Moses Moody instead of a pick, a package consisting of Paul, Cory Joseph, and Moody, as well as one first-round pick, could bring Murray and Capela back.
Stephen Curry Needs Backcourt Help
Pairing Murray and Curry would give the Warriors a more sensible backcourt, and Golden State has been eager to replace Paul (who is injured) for much of the season. The team desperately needs guard depth, and Murray is a player who can play both guard positions.
One of the advantages of adding Murray is his versatility, as he can fill any role a team requires. He will assume the identity of the team around him.
As an Eastern Conference executive told Heavy Sports this week, “Dejounte Murray is a very good defensive player and a very good offensive player, but he isn’t great at either. He’s good. If you put him on a defensive-minded team, his defense will shine more, and his offense may become secondary.
“If you put him on an offensive-minded team like the Hawks, that’s what you’ll see. He is not good enough defensively to change the culture of an entire team, as he failed to do with Atlanta.”
Drop him into the Warriors’ lineup, and the hope is that he will play similarly to Stephen Curry.
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