The NBA trade deadline is almost upon us, and now that the dust has settled on some of the biggest deals in recent memory (and Tristan Thompson’s departure from Cleveland), we’ve come to learn a few pieces about how it all went down. Here are three players who could be headed out at this week’s deadline: Dejounte Murray, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson.
“Julius Randle and the 3 Can’t-Miss Dejounte Murray Running Mates on the Trade Market” is a blog post about the “Kings”. The article talks about three players that are rumored to be on the trade market. These are Julius Randle, Dejounte Murray, and Rudy Gay. Read more in detail here: julius randle kings.
For the third consecutive season, Dejounte Murray and the San Antonio Spurs have failed to advance through the NBA Play-in Tournament. Sure, they have Jakob Poeltl, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and Joshua Primo, all of whom are intriguing young players. On the other hand, they aren’t making any real progress in their retooling endeavor as a whole.
Murray has been the Spurs’ lone consistency. He has steadily progressed to become one of the NBA’s top two-way guards. If the Spurs want to turn the cycle, they will need to make a significant deal to improve head coach Gregg Popovich’s rotation and provide Murray with offensive support.
Gregg Popovich, head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, and Dejounte Murray | Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
This summer, the Spurs should look into three players on the trade market.
Julius Randle (#3)
The Knicks had a disastrous 2021-22 season, and the fact that Randle has been identified as a possible trade target for the Spurs just adds to that feeling. With Obi Toppin, their 2020 first-round pick, on the roster and the franchise in peril, might the Knicks consider moving Randle? If that’s the case, the Spurs would be an excellent fit for the 27-year-old attacker.
San Antonio is in desperate need of a second significant scoring option. Randle is a versatile scorer who fits the description. The 2021 All-Star can easily go to the basket, play in the post, and shoot well. Murray would benefit greatly from Randle’s presence.
Murray and Randle would be mutually beneficial. Defenses would be unable to concentrate entirely on one player since they are all capable of scoring in a number of ways. Murray didn’t have a reliable isolation scorer this season, and Randle hasn’t had one with the Knicks either.
The Spurs have around $20 million in salary space this summer, so they don’t have to match Randle’s four-year, $117 million contract in a trade. They can send Zach Collins, Josh Richardson, one of their three first-round draft selections this year, and a future second-round pick from the New York Knicks.
All of that said, evaluating Randle as a player is tricky, and the Spurs are likely better suited investing in a more durable player.
Grant, Jerami
The Pistons are a long-term rebuilding project with a first-round selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. Grant, a free agent in 2023, is a strong trade prospect, since his departure would allow Saddiq Bey and/or the team’s first-round pick to take over as starters in the frontcourt. The Spurs may be able to jump in and get Grant.
Grant would be a great fit in Popovich’s lineup. The 28-year-old forward has developed into a productive two-way player. Grant can pass the ball, shoot off-balanced jump shots near the basket, stretch the floor on occasion, and play tight defense. In his heyday, he’s a well-rounded player.
Grant is expected to replace Poeltl as the Spurs’ power forward. He’ll provide an experienced boost to the team’s performance on both sides of the floor, complementing some of their younger starters. Meanwhile, Murray drawing a double-team while approaching the rack will provide some points for Grant.
To acquire Grant, the Spurs will almost certainly have to give up at least one of their appealing young players (Johnson, Vassell, and Primo) as well as a first-round choice in the following two years. Moving on from one of their rookie players might provide incentive to re-sign Lonnie Walker, who is a restricted free agency this summer.
The Spurs may be deterred from obtaining Grant because they believe he would only enhance their operation rather than push it to the next level, so to speak.
Gordon Hayward, No. 1
This summer, the Hornets have a lot on their plate. Miles Bridges is expected to earn a max deal as a restricted free agent after a breakthrough season, and a LaMelo Ball extension is on the way. Hayward might be on the move, with a handful of lucrative contracts and the financial clock ticking on past first-round picks. For the 32-year-old, joining the Spurs makes perfect sense.
Hayward has shown to be a consistent scorer. Hayward has averaged 17.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.6/40.2/84.4 in his two seasons with the Hornets. What’s the issue? Due to injuries, he has lost a lot of time. Yes, the lost time is a red sign, but considering the nearly $62 million left on Hayward’s deal over the next two seasons, the Spurs should be able to acquire him for a bargain.
For the Spurs, Hayward is a gamble worth taking. He provides them with a true wing scorer who can score off the dribble and from the perimeter. He provides an instant attacking boost.
Hayward may be the team’s starting power forward, or at the very least be one in a pinch. He provides the Spurs someone to benefit from Murray’s focus while deflecting some of it away from their youthful wings. An All-Star-caliber floor general, an established scorer, blossoming wings, and a solid center would make up the Spurs’ starting five. That is a fortunate mix.
The Spurs could possibly make another impact deal with their plethora of young players and draft selections, given Hayward’s presumably modest price tag. In the worst-case scenario, Hayward does not contribute to the Spurs and is traded next summer.
Basketball-Reference provided all stats. Spotrac provided the contract numbers.
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