Knicks express trade interest in Hawks’ Dejounte Murray

Well, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Knicks have indeed expressed “exploratory interest” in Murray. Makes sense. It’s hard to know how far the Knicks can go as currently constructed. But if they could add another borderline All-Star to the likes of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle … well, that could be something.

Meanwhile, the Hawks are very open to moving just about anyone not named Trae Young, as they seem to be spinning their wheels and headed nowhere at the moment. That can always change, of course. There’s plenty of season left. But it never hurts to try to make immediate improvements.

As we relayed before, there could be a hang-up should the Knicks decide to seriously pursue Murray.

Murray is represented by power agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. You know Paul’s name because his client list also includes the likes of LeBron James, Draymond Green and Anthony Davis, among many others.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are headed by team president Leon Rose, a former CAA agent, and William Wesley, a.k.a. World Wide Wes, a Rose crony and New York’s executive VP.

Apparently, Paul is hesitant to do business with the Knicks. Here is what Ian Begley of SNY.tv wrote:

“Moving Dejounte Murray would be a seismic shift for Atlanta. And it would surely require several first-round picks and young, ascending players. The Knicks can put that kind of package together. But for New York, there is an additional hurdle in a potential Murray trade. Murray is represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports Group. The New York Daily News reported in 2022 that Klutch opposed a trade of client Zach LaVine to the Knicks.

“That dynamic is still present today. I’m told that Paul remains reluctant to do business with the Knicks, who are led by team president Leon Rose and executive vice president William Wesley. Rose and Wesley were both top agents at CAA before they took over the Knicks.”

The Lakers, of course, have also been linked to Murray and the LaVine.