Rumors: Hawks remain interested Jonathan Kuminga and Trey Murphy

The Hawks still have some cash to upgrade their roster before even getting into the luxury tax, and there are a couple of names that continue to be linked to them — Jonathan Kuminga and Trey Murphy.

Atlanta recently decided to decline their $24.3 million option on Kuminga, making him a free agent. It was a decision that came down to the wire as the Hawks searched the landscape for potential trade options, but they ultimately got the vibe that the market for a near $25 million bench piece wasn’t exactly scorching hot. However, they appear open to bringing him back at a lesser figure.

“The Hawks remain open to re-signing Kuminga, sources say, and there’s been interest from Milwaukee and Cleveland along with the Lakers,” Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report for The Stein Line.

“A sign-and-trade would need to be worked out to get Kuminga to Cleveland and reunite him with former Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson. The Bucks are expected to have various trade exception routes to take in Kuminga via sign-and-trade after officially completing the Antetokounmpo blockbuster.”

Kuminga was acquired by the Hawks at the trade deadline in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. He played a pivotal role in the team’s second half turnaround, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16 games off the bench during the regular season — and he was by far the team’s most reliable option in the second unit in the Hawks’ first round matchup with the Knicks.

Bringing him back at the right price makes a lot of sense, but Atlanta also has their eyes on a much bigger trade target.

“Teams that are in the mix for Murphy to varying degrees now are the Celtics, Pistons, Warriors, Clippers, and Hawks, league sources told HoopsHype,” Michael Scotto reports.

“Atlanta has always monitored the trade market on Murphy and other available players,” he continues. “The Hawks have several future first-round picks and tradeable contracts to dangle.”

“After Brown and Leonard fetched two first-round picks in trades, some NBA executives believe that should be the ceiling for a Murphy trade. Others argue his valuable contract with three years and $87 million remaining of team control could help New Orleans net a third first-round pick.”

Murphy might not have the pedigree of an NBA Finals MVP like Jaylen Brown, but he’s still an All-Star caliber player that is four years younger and comes with a much more palatable contract — owed just $87 million over the next three seasons. That’s given the Pelicans reason to believe they might be able to fetch even more for Murphy than the Celtics got for Brown.

The Hawks certainly have the allotment of draft picks and contracts to make a trade work, but the decision will ultimately come down to whether they believe Murphy is the kind of talent that could help put them over the top in the Eastern Conference.

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(Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)