Asking price for popular Nets trade target finally revealed

With their latest loss to the lowly Portland Trail Blazers, the Brooklyn Nets now find themselves falling outside of the Play-In Tournament picture, as they currently reside in the 11 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-24.

Though some have begun to argue the ball club should now simply look to punt on the remainder of the season and begin preparation for 2024-25, considering they are only one win out from a top-10 slot in the standings and are rumored to be interested in adding more talent around centerpiece Mikal Bridges, between now and the February 8 trade deadline there still seems to be a plausible chance that GM Sean Marks and company could spice things up for a legitimate bid for their sixth consecutive postseason run.

In the event that the Nets embark on this latter course of action, one player who could prove to be a legitimate game changing trade acquisition is Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, as he would provide All-Star level stability to a point guard position that has been in need of a jolt in talent all year long.

Of course, in order to strike a deal to attain him, Brooklyn must be willing to piece together a package deemed worthwhile for Atlanta to consider accepting. Fortunately for the Nets, no guessing games would have to be played in a hypothetical pursuit of the 27-year-old, as the franchise's asking price was just recently revealed to the public.

Brooklyn Nets trade target, Dejounte Murray's asking price revealed

Per a January 15 report by The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, Atlanta is specifically seeking draft capital as a driving return asset in any exchange involving their stud point guard.

"From people I’ve spoken with, the Hawks are asking for two firsts in return for Murray, who would prefer to join a team with a chance to make an immediate playoff run."

- Kevin O'Connor

As O'Connor noted, should Murray wind up being dealt, his preference would be to land with a team that has the capability of making a playoff run.

Though the Nets are currently on the outside looking in on a top-10 seed in the standings, let alone a top-eight, from both the eye test and the advanced metrics, it appears that this club may be just one competent guard away from thrusting themselves into such a category, and the Hawks stud's expertise and overall abilities could easily prove to be the missing piece for their rotation.

Through 40 games played this year, Murray finds himself posting impressive all-around averages of 21.0 points, 4.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from distance and, since 2021-22, has dropped elite two-way averages of 20.8 points, 7.3 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.

From his set-up skills and tremendous defensive intangibles to his continually improving shooting stroke, there are many reasons to love the idea of adding someone of this ilk to the Nets' arsenal.

Should Brooklyn be willing to part with some of their future firsts, striking on the likes of Murray would be a great move for the franchise both for the remainder of this year as well as, assuming they plan to re-sign him this offseason, for the many that have yet to come.