The Hawks are bound to have an eventful offseason. The club isn’t financially positioned to be big players in free agency, but shedding some salaries is in the realm of possibilities to open up their roster options.
With Quin Snyder at the helm, personnel changes are on the horizon in Atlanta. Everyone’s favorite trade rumor, John Collins, is expected to be mentioned in talks once again, but Dejounte Murray was not initially expected to be floated in trade talks. Here we are, though.
“The team is believed to be looking for a home for John Collins, but some whispers abound that Dejounte Murray could be had in the right deal,” Bleacher Report writes. “Murray is due $18.2 million this season but may not be open to an extension limited to a $25.4 million starting salary. Unless Atlanta can shed significant salary elsewhere, they may not be able to afford Murray at his current price, let alone on a new deal in his likely asking range above $30 million.”
As Eric Pincus writes, the Hawks are looking for a home for JC, so it’s much more likely that he’s moved and Murray isn’t, but it still makes sense for Snyder, Kyle Korver, and Landry Fields to listen to offers.
It’s the front office’s job to explore every opportunity that presents itself. The Hawks likely wouldn’t recoup all the assets they dealt to acquire Murray from the Spurs, but it’s a conversation that needs to be had.
Considering all the financial commitments on the Hawks’ books right now, inking the All-Star point guard to a long-term deal might not be feasible. Atlanta has some tough decisions to make with its core. I would say everyone but Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic are available, and the only reason I say that about Bogi is Snyder’s focus on three-point shooting and his recent contract extension. Everyone else’s futures are uncertain in Atlanta, including Dejounte Murray.
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Photographer: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
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