Dejounte Murray Trade Rumors: Hawks Want More from Lakers, Using Teams to Up Value

The Atlanta Hawks are driving a hard bargain when it comes to star Dejounte Murray, according to Action Network's Matt Moore.

Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer and TNT Sports' Chris Haynes reported the New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as a potential suitor for Murray, while he has been linked with the Utah Jazz as well.

Moore cited a source who was "skeptical" about the new set of rumors, "saying this was likely the Hawks trying to drum up a market for the star guard in order to secure more assets from the Lakers, who have long been considered his eventual landing spot."

The Athletic's Sam Amick reported Tuesday the Hawks "are known to covet Austin Reaves" but that the Lakers "have no interest" in including him in the trade package.

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, L.A. made an initial offer of veteran guard D'Angelo Russell, rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-round pick and further draft compensation. That might not be enough for Atlanta to bite when Amick wrote the team has displayed a "clear disinterest" in Russell.

There's certainly an argument to be made that the Hawks should rip the bandage off now and take the best deal on the table. At 22-29, they badly need to reset and there's no guarantee Murray's trade value will be higher down the road than it is now.

Atlanta made the mistake of holding on to John Collins for too long and ultimately only had salary relief to show for his eventual departure.

But Murray hasn't even started the four-year contract he signed with the team. At the very least, general manager Landry Fields can probably let this season play out and return to the negotiating table in the offseason without sacrificing much in terms of his leverage.