The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to turn things around in 2024, and as the trade deadline approaches, trade rumors involving the purple and gold are getting more heated.
Guard Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks is currently the most well-known player associated with the Lakers. Simply put, Murray and Trae Young are a bad fit, and the likelihood of Murray getting traded has increased recently. The Lakers are now the most discussed possible destination due to their struggles and their ties to Klutch Sports.
Young partnership has been, Murray still has a lot of trade value and the Lakers may not have the assets to get a deal done. Austin Reaves, who the Lakers supposedly have no interest in trading, would almost certainly need to be included in any Murray trade. Even though Reaves is excellent, the numbers suggest that LA shouldn’t be holding out for the trade of the former undrafted free agent.
There’s really only one way this trade can happen if Los Angeles continues to do business as usual and does not extend an offer to Reaves. The Toronto Raptors would probably have to be the third team that the Lakers would need to loop in
The Raptors and Pascal Siakam are crucial to the Lakers’ trade of Dejounte Murray.
Even though Atlanta has had difficulties this year, the Hawks still aim to contend. To be competitive this season and beyond, the team just needs to make a few adjustments; they are not going to blow everything up.
Remember, the Lakers can only trade one unprotected first-round pick, so Atlanta has no real reason to accept a trade package from the Lakers that consists solely of future picks. Reaves must be included in this deal because the Hawks need assets that can help them right away.
However, That puts everyone in an interesting situation. Murray and Siakam could be traded to Atlanta and Los Angeles, respectively, and Toronto would receive all of the assets from both clubs. Young players like De’Andre Hunter and Jalen Hood-Schifino would be packaged alongside the likes of D’Angelo Russell. The Lakers can send an unprotected first and a pick swap, while the Hawks can send a first-round pick.
A player whose contract expires after the season will get a pretty good return in the form of two firsts, a pick swap, and two reliable young players. Murray can be the focus for Atlanta, and the Lakers could potentially acquire Murray without having to trade Reaves.
The front office must either get inventive or give up being obstinate about Reaves if the Lakers are to make a big splash for Murray.
