Alright, so we all know that this squad as it is now assembled can make it back to the NBA Finals without a Miami
Heat trade. Udonis Haslem stated it last week, Heat president Pat Riley stated it in October, and we have been
repeating it whenever the opportunity presents itself. However, the Heat still have possibilities to improve, and they
have plenty in front of them.
Dejounte Murray of the Hawks is one who might be the most well-known player still available. Murray is a “best fit”
for the Miami Heat at the trade deadline, per The Athletic.
Many teams have been chasing him, including the Lakers, Nets, and Knicks. However, if the Heat are prepared to
part with the Hawks’ two first-round draft selections, they should have little trouble acquiring him.
That’s quite a steep. Murray is due a $114 million, four-year contract extension that begins next year. The only
reason he hasn’t been shipped away already is that no other team is willing to pay that price. The majority of teams,
including the Heat, are wary of signing pricey long-term contracts because of upcoming changes to NBA salary
regulations that will make it harder for teams to function if they are too much beyond the luxury tax level.
The Heat must however strike a balance between that fact and the team’s ambition to contend for a title. Miami lost
the NBA Finals despite winning the Eastern Conference the previous season, so adjustments may be necessary if they
want to contend for a championship. The most obvious area of need is an upgrade in the backcourt, where shooting
guards Josh Richardson and Tyler Herro have covered in for the 37-year-old Kyle Lowry, who has played the
majority of the point-guard minutes.
That’s where Murray can most usefully assist. Due to Trae Young’s presence on the Hawks, he is averaging 21.0
points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while primarily playing off the ball. In 2021β22, his final season with the team,
he did have a season when he averaged 9.2 assists as the starting point guard the Spurs.
By sending shooting guard Duncan Robinson to Atlanta along with two first-round selections, the Heat could acquire
Murray. Given Robinson’s recent success, Miami and other teams might be reluctant to part with two picks; but, the
Heat could arrange the trade so that at least one pick is well protected.
“In Miami, I’d Love to See Dejounte Murray”
Riley may need to give Murray more thought than any other player the Heat are linked to before the NBA deadline.
Although his defense has suffered in Atlanta, he is still capable of becoming a solid facilitator, a competent defensive
player, and a consistent 3-point shooter.
“The thing with Dejounte Murray is that he is a very good defensive player and a very good offensive player, but at
the same time, he is not great at either,” one Eastern Conference executive told Heavy Sports this week. He is
competent. His defense will likely be stronger and his offense may take a backseat if he is placed on a defensive-
minded squad
“You’re going to see that if you put him on a club like the Hawks, who are offensively oriented. He did not alter the
culture of a complete team with Atlanta because he is insufficiently skilled on defense.
In Miami, that would not be the case. “He is the type of player who will flourish in a role that is crucial to a strong
team. These kinds of men elevate themselves to the level of the players around them, but when they play for bad
teams, they produce mediocre performances. Dejounte Murray in Miami would be amazing. Without a doubt, you’d
defeat him there, the executive stated.
