Since Murray will turn 25 about a month before the 2021-22 campaign and there is more than reasonable money left on his contract (three years, about $ 50 million), pulling Murray out of San Antonio would take some great curiosity .
Here are a few teams that should try to pull it off.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
If ever there was a team that needed some help at the point of attack, it would be a Cavs team that is currently putting up some talented but undersized guards.
The Cavs’ 25th-place defense last season deserves context. They got all-defensive team caliber from Larry Nance Jr. before he was injured, and also from Andre Drummond during an early season before he was closed. As the injuries piled up, the defense slipped predictably.
In any case, including Murray in the mix would allay a lot of concerns on this end of the floor. His slashing ability would be a nice addition to Darius Garland’s pull-up art.
There was enough chatter about the SexLand back room to end up in a possible split sooner or later. Hell, we’ve been exploring sexton deals in this room not a long time ago. I secretly think the Spurs might be a six-tone admirer.
His ability to shoot would be a welcome addition to a squad that doesn’t need threesomes in bulk. Sexton isn’t a shooter from the depths either, but would at least represent a sizable bump on Murray. Additionally, his shot creation would either be an addition or a replacement for the outstanding free agent DeMar DeRozan.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Blazers can be their own sellers, depending on whether – or how far – Lillard pushes the envelope. Even if he’s not trying to force his way out, it’s clear that the Blazers are snooping around to bolster the defenses around their star.
You will likely go big game hunting first; I’m sure they’ll sniff out the Simmons situation in Philadelphia. If that doesn’t work, why not turn her attention to Murray? He immediately became Portland’s best perimeter stopper – Robert Covington remains an all-world helper but leaves a bit to be desired as a defender – while adding some rim volume to a team that could use some downhill juice. even assuming Norman Powell is re-signed.
Perhaps if Powell’s adoption is fair, there could be a workable deal around a Murray-McCollum swap. The obvious caveat is that the salary from San Antonio’s side would have to be added which could complicate things from a value standpoint.
OTHER LANDING SITES
Atlanta Hawks: I’m here a bit for a John Collins sign-and-trade that lands Murray in Atlanta. Much like the Lillard dynamic in Portland, it would be dope to see Murray dog guys while Trae Young is hiding elsewhere.
Dever nuggets: I would like to see Murray in Denver, but I don’t see how it goes without the other Murray or Michael Porter Jr. I’m just saying I highly doubt Denver would be okay to part with both of them.
Oklahoma City thunder: We have to add a mandatory Thunder reference just because they have the option to land almost anyone in Murray’s stage if they are interested enough. I’m here for a Murray-SGA-There trio from the perspective of length. (Yes, I know SGA doesn’t deserve to be mentioned when these two are on the defensive. Let me have that.)
