As the Atlanta Hawks try to clear out their other large salaries, the Los Angeles Lakers may be able to extend a possible trade for Dejounte Murray at a lower cost.
John Hollinger of The Athletic, a former Memphis Grizzlies front-office executive, claims that the Hawks may use Murray as a lure to let go of either De’Andre Hunter or Clint Capela.
“League sources say the Hawks have had continued chatter on potential Murray deals,” Hollinger wrote on January 14. “Some will tell you they’re almost there, but others will argue the Hawks are still trying to figure out how much they can get for him and other important players (like Hunter and Capela).”
The Hawks’ efforts to strengthen their team have also been hampered by the unduly optimistic extensions for Capela (who has one more year left at $22.2 million) and Hunter (who has three more years remaining at a total of $70 million). The possibility that Murray’s contract could be used as leverage to force Capela or, more specifically, Hunter into a deal makes trading him mere months after he accepted a four-year, $114 million extension alluring.
However, there’s little chance that they’ll get anything comparable to what they gave up to get him.
According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, during their prior trade negotiations with the Knicks, the Hawks demanded Immanuel Quickley and a first-round pick.
The Toronto Raptors valued Quickley at the equivalent of two first-round picks, so that’s pretty much what they gave up in exchange for three first-round picks and a pick swap.
The Lakers might be able to negotiate a deal without having to give up Austin Reaves if they absorb Hunter’s contract.
Lakers’ Substitute Trade Choice
NBA front office insider Bobby Marks offered Rob Pelinka an alternate trade option if the Hawks insist on trading Reaves for Murray without receiving more value.
“If I were the Lakers, I would inquire about Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, but such a trade might require the loss of Austin Reaves. DeRozan could become a free agent, and Caruso’s got one of the better contracts.
