Before returning to contender status in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks were frequently mentioned in trade rumors for NBA stars. Now that Tom Thibodeau, Jalen Brunson, and Julius Randle have New York’s basketball team performing as one of the best in the East, Knicks trade rumors have only increased.
It doesn’t hurt that the Knicks play in one of the biggest sports markets in the United States. Or that the front office has been collecting trade assets in anticipation of swinging a big move at the right time.
Yet, stars and superstars rarely become available, and when they do, lately, the trend is to pick a specific team or destination. So far, the dice haven’t rolled in the Knicks’ favor, but that hasn’t prevented the front office from trying.
According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Knicks are one of several teams who have expressed trade interest in Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray. But it’s not that easy.
Murray’s certainly a talented player. He became an All-Star in 2022 during his final season with the San Antonio Spurs and also has the distinction of being named to an NBA All-Defensive team in 2018.
Yet, the NBA has a rule in place preventing players from being signed and traded shortly after unless it’s done at the time of the contract agreement like we frequently see in free agency. Because Murray signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Hawks this past offseason, he can’t be traded until Jan. 9 at the earliest.
While the Hawks would like to keep the player, they traded four first-round picks for, some wonder if Atlanta’s sluggish start could lead to a change of heart. The Knicks could try to give the Hawks a tough decision by making an offer too good to refuse, but Murray might not be the player New York wants to push all their chips in for either.