NBA Fantasy Tiers: Should You Pick Dejounte Murray?

Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks

Nov 14-Nov 20 games: @ Detroit, vs. NY, vs. PHI

Per game stats 2023: 21.9 pts., 4.6 REB, 5.6 AST, 1.2 STL

Dejounte Murray will always play second fiddle to Trae Young in the Atlanta Hawks backcourt, but what a wonderful accompaniment he offers to that team and your own on NBA Fantasy Tiers. Atlanta’s ‘other’ guard is a shooter -- .497 FG% and 2.6 3PT made per game on the season. He can also add boards and assists, with a season high of eight on each. 

He is never likely to be asked to lead the Hawks’ offense and that’s fine -- Murray doesn’t need to be the focus; he puts up numbers either way. That said, a player’s game-to-game performance is based on their individual matchups. So what can Dejounte Murray stack up in the stats column this week? To find out, let’s look at who the Hawks are playing and the players Murray will need to compete against.

@ Detroit Pistons, November 14: Matchup = Ausar Thompson

On November 14, Dejounte Murray and the Atlanta Hawks will travel to square off against rookie Ausar Thompson and the Detroit Pistons. Though a first year man in the NBA, Thompson has legit chops based on his start to the season: 11.4 pts., 10.0 REB, 3.7 AST, and 1.9 BLK average over 11 games. He is exceptional as a defensive player, but it’s fair to say Thompson is still finding consistency with his shot. Murray is better in this game for perhaps 2x the points, half the rebounds, and a better shooting percentage. It will be a fun matchup to watch but I give Murray a little less than average performance against Thompson’s strong defense.

vs. New York Knicks, November 15: Matchup = RJ Barrett

On November 15, RJ Barrett and the New York Knicks will visit Dejounte Murray and the Hawks. In short, Barrett is a solid matchup against Dejounte Murray’s game. Barrett (22.3 pts., 3.3 REB, 3.3 AST, 0.5 STL) shoots 47.1% from three point land and has only twice recorded fewer than 20 points in a game this season. He is capable of getting hot as a shooter and is good for nearly 87% from the free throw line. Barrett and the Knicks will push Murray’s limits as a defender. The pessimist sees an advantage to Barrett. The optimist sees more steals and assists for Murray. The writer sees two guys that will both score a lot. I’d start either of them in this one.

vs. Philadelphia 76ers, November 17: Matchup = De’Anthony Melton?

With the tragic accident that Kelly Oubre was injured in, De’Anthony Melton is thrust into the spotlight as Murray’s key matchup when the Hawks are scheduled to host the 76ers on November 17th. Melton is no stranger to the NBA hardwood; he has averaged 27.3 minutes per games thus far in 2023 with 7.9 points, 3.3 REB and 4.1 AST, but he is far less productive on the scoreboard than Oubre given just a couple more minutes playing time per game (Oubre = 16.3 points on 29.0 minutes per game). Get well soon Kelly Oubre, and good luck to De’Anthony Melton as he steps-up, but I think Murray may do well in this game.

The Verdict

With three games over seven days and two of those in a row at home, Dejounte Murray should be well-rested this week. On November 14th, a road trip to Detroit and a matchup with rookie defensive standout Ausar Thompson may test Murray’s offensive productivity. On November 15th, Murray and RJ Barrett could both light up the scoreboard. Finally, on November 17th, Dejounte Murray will play against a good team but against an individual matchup who may be on his back foot. All things considered, Murray is a solid selection this week.