Three years ago, the Portland Trail Blazers had to make the tough decision to trade Josh Hart for financial reasons. In some ways, they probably regret the move. But with Kris Murray, one of the pieces they got out of the deal, proving valuable in recent games, it has probably become easier for the organization and its fans to move on from the Hart trade.
In 2023, the now New York Knicks starter was about to hit the free agency market. The Blazers could have made use of his all-around skills, which he had displayed in his 64-game stint with the squad. Unfortunately, they would have been hard-capped that summer, and they likely didn't want to lose Hart for nothing.
The problem, though, is that, for a time, Portland basically had nothing to show for the trade, while Hart has become a pivotal piece for the contending Knicks.
The pieces it received in the four-team deal included Ryan Arcidiacono and Cam Reddish, both of whom are playing overseas, Mattise Thybulle, a defensive menace who has spent more time on the sidelines than on the court during his Blazers tenure, and a 2023 first-round pick that became Murray.
Kris Murray may have found his niche in Rip City
In his first two seasons in the league, the Iowa University product had not done much to prove that he ought to be treated as a long-term piece for the Blazers.
This year, though, he has shown promise as a rotation piece for his two-way potential. The downside is that he has yet to develop his outside shooting into a reliable weapon. For the third straight year, he ended the regular season shooting below 30 percent from downtown.
On the bright side, Murray has found ways to make an impact even without scoring much.
For instance, in the Blazers' resounding win over the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In Tournament to book a ticket to the playoffs, he played just 12 minutes and didn't attempt even a single shot from the field or the free-throw line. However, he recorded three rebounds and three assists and finished the evening with a plus/minus of +10. Only Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija were better in that department.
Kris Murray's long-term outlook in Portland
Only time will tell if Murray will remain with the Blazers in the long run. His performance in the playoffs could serve as his audition, especially since they need perimeter defenders to step up, as the San Antonio Spurs have plenty of offensive options at the guard and wing positions.
With roster reinforcements hopefully coming to Portland this summer, Murray could become a casualty when the front office makes a major splash or smaller moves in the trade market. The good news is that if the Blazers are able to use him as a key trade piece that brings in a big-time roster upgrade, they can likely say they won the Josh Hart trade.
And if Murray turns in a productive series against the Spurs and makes a strong case to be a vital part of the rotation moving forward, that would also be a win for Portland for sure.
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