Lakers Trade Rumors: Dejounte Murray Deal Discussed with Hawks Ahead of NBA Deadline

Jack MurrayJanuary 12, 2024

Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images

Could Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray be an option for the Los Angeles Lakers?

In an appearance on NBA Today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Los Angeles is in communication with Atlanta about a possible trade for the guard.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA”Dejounte Murray is the player that they’re engaged around the league with. They have talked to the Lakers.” 👀 @wojespn on the Hawks’ plans for Murray. pic.twitter.com/Bt7eire6Dy

“Dejounte Murray is the player that they’re engaged around the league with,” Wojnarowski said. “They have talked to the Lakers. They’ve exchanged some ideas on a potential trade.”

While the interest is there, Wojnarowski said that the Hawks will look to recoup significant value in the trade and the Lakers will have some stiff competition in that regard.

“They want to get some value back for him,” Wojnarowski said. “You look at that Lakers roster and you see what of value do they have that can compete in the marketplace.”

The trade rumors involving Murray have been ramping up in recent weeks as the Hawks have stumbled to a 15-21 start to the season. The 27-year-old is averaging 21.1 points, 5.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 36 games and could be a dynamic add for a team looking to make a postseason run.

The Lakers certainly fit the bill. The franchise is coming off a season in which it reached the Western Conference Finals, and it even took home the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament championship earlier this season.

However, some tough stretches recently have the team sitting at 19-20 and in 10th in the Western Conference. The Lakers need to turn it around, and adding Murray could be the perfect jolt for the lineup.

As Wojnarowski mentioned, meeting the value required to get Murray is easier said than done. However, it could be an excellent pickup for a team looking to contend with an aging LeBron James.