3. Dejounte Murray
Things have not gone as planned for the Hawks. They hoped a full season of head coach Quinn Snyder and a few roster upgrades would push them firmly into the top six in the Eastern Conference and prime them for a postseason run. Instead, Atlanta is 13-19 on the morning of Jan. 2 and already five games back of the Pacers for the final guaranteed playoff spot.
Murray is popping up in trade rumors, and the Pacers could be a surprise team to jump in on the bidding. The 27-year-old is averaging over 20 points per game for the third straight year and offers strong perimeter defense and secondary playmaking. It has not worked next to Trae Young, but Indiana may be able to excel on both ends with two 6’5 star guards sharing the backcourt.
Murray signed a four-year $114 million extension that features a 15 percent trade kicker. The Pacers would have to offer a significant package plus pay him, but this could be their path to getting another All-Star. Murray should not demand a superstar return and could be just what Indiana needs to be a legit contender in the East.
Dejounte Murray is under contract through 2027, so acquiring him makes significantly more sense for the Pacers than getting Pascal Siakam for the rest of the season.