Remember when the Milwaukee Bucks were a team linked to Dejounte Murray in trade discussions? Plenty of people won't, as it was a brief time back in early 2024. However, NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required) reminded everyone of that in his latest reporting, bringing up numerous old targets as the team currently scrambles to shake up this roster. Murray shouldn't be in those plans.
Bucks don't need to reignite Dejounte Murray interest
Back then, Murray might have made some sense. The Bucks had Damian Lillard on the roster and could have benefited from pairing him with a former All-Star and All-Defensive honoree. Those two and Giannis Antetokounmpo could have been something interesting, but the Bucks held off and went after Patrick Beverley instead. Even if that didn't work out, it's not time to circle back on Murray.
Right off the bat, the guard has been out since last January due to an Achilles tear. Coming up on a year after the injury went down, there have been few updates on his status. The Bucks, who need a move to rejuvenate their title hopes right now, would be foolish to swing a trade for a player who has not been on the court for nearly a year.
On top of that, there is his position. Murray is a 6-foot-4 combo guard. The Milwaukee Bucks already employ both Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. Trading Murray, who makes $30 million this year, would see the Bucks sacrifice Kyle Kuzma and other pieces, forcing a team that is already undersized to get even smaller. That's not helping things in the bigger picture.
Murray shouldn't be Milwaukee's prime target, but one of his teammates could be. With a clear need for size on the wing, Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones could be perfect additions, replenishing the team's depth with one of the two could be the shot in the arm the Bucks are seeking as the team tries to put this sluggish start behind them.
Even if they don't have the assets for Murphy or Jones, the Milwaukee Bucks should be on the hunt for a forward over a guard. Between the aforementioned Rollins and Porter, the Bucks also have AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. to support them. What they don't have is small forward depth, particularly after Taurean Prince's latest injury update.
There's no telling who the Milwaukee Bucks will go after, but it shouldn't be Dejounte Murray.
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