Hawks more engaged with teams other than Lakers on possible Dejounte Murray trade

January 19, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly spoken to the Los Angeles Lakers on a potential trade involving guard Dejounte Murray, but are more engaged with other teams that can offer better returns, league sources told Hoops Wire.

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers are prepared to send guard D’Angelo Russell and forward Jalen Hood-Schifino, as draft picks, to the Hawks for Murray.

“I’d be insulted if I were Dejounte Murray and that is all the Hawks could get for me,” one rival scout jokingly told Hoops Wire.

The Hawks would want to send Russell to a third team if they did manage a trade with the Lakers, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

“Any framework for a Murray trade to the Lakers would likely involve guard D’Angelo Russell, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “However, that would be contingent on Russell being flipped to a third team from Atlanta in the process.”

Murray is represented by agent Rich Paul, whose extensive client list also includes LA stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers enter the weekend at 21-21 and are said to be looking to add speed and athleticism at the wing spots.

But sources told Hoops Wire they would significantly have to raise the reported package to have a shot at landing Murray. In the meantime, the Hawks are engaging other teams who can put together significant offers.

Atlanta is said to be seeking at least two first-round picks in exchange for Murray. The Toronto Raptors just received three from the Indiana Pacers in a trade for forward Pascal Siakam.

Murray is averaging 21.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals, shooting 47 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers. He’s due $17.7 million this season.

He signed a four-year, $114 million extension with the Hawks in July and is widely expected to be traded ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline.

Russell is averaging 15.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He is shooting 47 percent overall overall and 40 percent on threes. He is making $17.3 million.

Murray is also reportedly drawing interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets.