Trade Rumor: Phoenix Insider Reveals Where Suns Stand on Dejounte Murray

Two weeks ago, a Suns fan site argued that a Jalen Green-for-Dejounte Murray swap was the only deal worth considering. At the time, it was a hypothetical. On Friday, it became a real storyline after Murray asked the Pelicans for a trade and his camp reportedly pointed to Phoenix.

Now Arizona Sports 98.7 FM host John Gambadoro says the Phoenix Suns have not made a move.

"The Phoenix Suns have had no conversations with the New Orleans Pelicans regarding Dejounte Murray at this time," Gambadoro said. "They have not checked in with them and are not calling around."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Murray's request, and the Pelicans confirmed it in a statement: "Today, Dejounte Murray's representatives informed us of his request to be traded." The Athletic's Sam Amick then reported that Murray has strong interest in joining the Suns and that his camp hopes for a deal involving Green. Sources from both teams told Amick that no talks had taken place.

Gambadoro explained why the idea seemed plausible. "The thought of trading for a PG had a lot to do with unlocking the best version of Devin Booker," he said. But he said the situation has changed since then. "Book has played some of his best basketball in years last 4-5 games and the Suns have won 4 of 5."

According to Gambadoro, the connection behind the rumors is not on the court. "The connection between Murray's agent Rich Paul and Mat Ishbia is the main reason this has come up," he said. "They are friends and Paul has several clients on Phoenix."

That relationship helps explain why Murray's camp would push for a particular destination. Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, represents Murray, and Amick's report said the guard's representatives have been hopeful about a swap for Green.

Gambadoro did leave the door open on that front. "This is not to say the Suns won't explore trading Jalen Green at some point," he said, "but I would expect that would be down the road."

That fits earlier speculation that the Suns want to move off Green's contract before his $36 million player option for next season. Amick wrote that "the outside belief" is that the team is motivated to swap Green for a proven point guard.

Murray's salary over the next two years, about $63.5 million, could be matched by Green's deal, which is why the swap has appeared in several trade ideas.

For New Orleans, the situation is complicated. Murray is 30, and the Pelicans have said they will evaluate trade opportunities that are in the organization's best interest. They have also been dealing with a difficult start to the season, and a disgruntled guard with a large contract is not an easy asset to move.

For the Suns, the choice is between patience and a fix. The team has been winning, and Booker has looked more comfortable, so the urgency Gambadoro described earlier has faded. Green, meanwhile, has had an uneven tenure in Phoenix, and the team has not committed to him alongside Booker and Dillon Brooks.