The Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to hold trade talks to acquire guard Dejounte Murray in the coming days.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that the Lakers and Hawks discussed a contract earlier this offseason and plan to renegotiate the deal once trade restrictions on newly signed players are lifted.
The Lakers can now trade Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hahimura after negotiations were limited in the first few months. June. Anthony Davis is currently the only player on this list who isn’t technically tradeable. Reaves and Hachimura are among the most attractive trade chips on the Lakers’ roster and could combine with D’Angelo Russell and/or Gabe Vincent to create a third star alongside Davis and LeBron James.
The Hawks scouted the market for Murray, who would be a perfect fit for any NBA backcourt. Murray is a complete court defender who can play with or without the ball, shoots a career-high 39.1 percent from 3-point range and is very versatile on the perimeter with a 6-foot wingspan.
If the price is the same, the Lakers would be better off moving Murray to Zach LaVine, who has also been mentioned as a potential target.That means the Lakers aren’t alone in their pursuit of Murray and could withdraw their offer before next month’s deadline.
