The Dejounte Murray trade rumors are out in full force now, with the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers coming up as possible options for the Hawks guard.
Yesterday, NBA insider Shams Charania had this to say about the Lakers interest in Murray:
“One player that I am told to keep an eye on, a potential target for the Lakers, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray. Murray still has four years, $120 million of an extension that kicks in next season, so that is a little bit better when you think of a reasonable salary to be bringing in when you already have LeBron James and Anthony Davis on your books.
The Hawks’s direction of course, it is in flux, they gave up multiple first-round picks and a swap to go and get Dejounte Murray a couple of summers ago from the Spurs”
I think the interest in Murray will be more on the Laker’s side. Los Angeles does not have a lot of trade assets that the Hawks find desirable outside of potentially Austin Reaves and the Lakers have shown a reluctance to trade him. The Lakers are short on picks as well. Anything could happen, but I don’t think the Hawks will be interested in anything the Lakers have to offer.
There are some assets the Lakers have that are a little interesting, but the Hawks would be making wholesale changes to the roster if they decided to trade Murray and none of their options fit with building around Trae Young.
One of the reasons that the Hawks are exploring trades for Murray is the weird fit with Young in the backcourt. Murray is a better defender than Young but is not as good as some think he is and still has his struggles on that end. However, if you think that is a bad fit, the Hawks adding D’Angelo Russell would be a terrible fit. Russell is a terrible defender and would not bring the Hawks anything of value. Atlanta needs to add bigger pieces that can defend around Young and Russell is the furthest thing from that.
One piece that would fit on the Hawks roster is Jarred Vanderbilt, but he cannot be traded until the summer.
Other pieces that the Lakers have are rotational pieces that would be fine off the bench, but Murray is going to bring back some real value in trade. Murray has a favorable contract and is a good player. The Hawks could do better than getting Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, or Cam Reddish.
The best asset that the Lakers have not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis is Austin Reaves, but the Lakers have reportedly been reluctant to trade Reaves. Even Reaves alone would not be enough though.
The Lakers are also short on draft capital due to the Anthony Davis trade, among others.
In short, if the Hawks want to get a deal done that involves Dejounte Murray, there are better options than the Lakers. It is not out of the question that a third team could get involved that gives the Hawks some of the assets they are going to want in a Murray trade. The Lakers could provide some supplementary pieces like Hachimura, Christie or Vincent while another team provides picks, but I still think that is a long shot.
If the Hawks trade Murray, I think it will be to another team and not the Lakers.
Atlanta is back on the court this Friday at home against the Kings.
