The Los Angeles Lakers quickly decided to trade with a former All-Star and $64 million in “exchanged” proposals.
It seems like the Los Angeles Lakers are running out of patience.
Their most recent defeat, a 127-109 thumping at the hands of the Phoenix Suns, may force them to abandon their patience and pursue a trade in order to turn things around.
“Atlanta’s ready to trade Dejounte Murray,” said ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski “NBA Today” on January 12. “The Lakers have spoken with them. They have discussed possible trade ideas with one another.
Murray signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $120 million in July 2023, but he is currently in the last year of a four-year, $64 million deal. That will enable the team to control him for the 2027–2028 season.
However, Raptors Republic’s Samson Folk stated that he understood Murray’s agreement to the deal included a commitment to avoid getting involved in trade negotiations involving Pascal Siakam.
The former San Antonio Spur is a one-time All-Star and led the league in steals in 2021-22.
With 21.1 points per game, he is matching his career high and setting a new career best with a true shooting percentage of 56.4%. He is having a great individual season. However, the Hawks’ record this season is 15–21.
Wojnarowski stated, “[The Hawks] have given the Trae Young-Dejounte Murray backcourt some time.” “They’re prepared to put it behind them. The player they are engaged to throughout the league is Dejounte Murray.
However, they are involved with numerous teams. They made many sacrifices for Dejounte Murray. They hope to recoup some of his value. Upon examining the Lakers roster, one can determine their level of value and ability to contend in the market. I believe a lot of teams are considering him. How much are they willing to give up for Murray, is the question.
Since the beginning of the season, the Lakers players who are most frequently the subject of rumors—D’Angelo Russell foremost—have seen a decline in their trade value. The Lakers also have no intention of trading Austin Reaves.
That should only make it harder to upgrade the roster.
“Generally speaking, you’re not getting people’s best yet when you’re this close to the trade deadline,” Wojnarowski stated. “I believe the Lakers will participate in this. He has a very, very good chance of moving before the deadline, in my opinion.
Being a client of Klutch Sports Group, Murray should have an easy transition because fellow clients LeBron James and Anthony Davis are already in the lineup.
Potential Key Player in Hawks-Lakers Trade Is Austin Reaves
Reaves is the player to keep an eye on as the Lakers continue to insist on keeping him, even though Russell’s value has decreased.
“The Hawks, three different league sources asserted this week, would be open to a Lakers deal if it includes Austin Reaves,” wrote Matt Moore of Action Network on January 10.
“There does seem to be a pathway for a Murray-to-Los Angeles deal if the Lakers would be willing to include Reaves,” wrote Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports on January 11. “However, to Los Angeles’ satisfaction, the Hawks would have to return more value for that.”
