NBA insider Marc Stein claims that the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks have had “little-to-no trade dialogue” regarding former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray in recent days.
According to league sources, there hasn’t been much to no trade discussion regarding former All-Star Dejounte Murray between the Hawks and Lakers in recent days. wrote Stein.
“Trade discussions are usually a moving target this time of year and are easily reignited, but one person with knowledge of the discussions described Murray joining the Lakers by this Sunday’s deadline as “unrealistic.”
One of the reasons for that is D’Angelo Russell’s excellent performance this month.
Russell has played so well lately that the Lakers might not need to trade for a guard.
Russell has averaged 27.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in his last eight games (since he entered the starting lineup again). He has also shot 52.3 percent from the field and 54.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Throughout those eight games, the Lakers have a 5-3 record.
Although Russell was named to the All-Defensive Team in the 2017–18 season, Murray may be a superior defender, but Russell has been performing well enough for the Lakers to think about sticking with their core at the trade deadline.
This season, Murray is shooting 38.8 percent from three-point range and 46.9 percent from the field, averaging 21.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. If he were traded to Los Angeles, he might find it easier to adjust to playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis because he currently plays with ball-dominant player Trae Young.
After acquiring Russell and a few other players at the trade deadline in the 2022–23 season, Los Angeles went on a run during the regular season. In the end, the team advanced to the Western Conference Finals during the postseason.
Although the Lakers might benefit from adding Murray, there is a chance that the current Hawks guard won’t click with the current group. Russell is playing well right now.
