Report: Lakers Still Interested In Trading For Hawks’ Dejounte Murray

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Los Angeles Lakers are still interested in trading for Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray.

The Lakers tried to acquire Murray at the 2024 trade deadline. 

The Hawks are expected to trade Murray or Trae Young this offseason. Young used to be with Klutch Sports Group, the agency LeBron James and Anthony Davis are with. He recently switched to CAA.  

“The pressure is on the Lakers front office to make changes to this roster..

They have to be aggressive and I think Dejounte Murray will come up in trade conversations”@ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xegZkMdKzu

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 21, 2024

Murray, who has a close relationship with LeBron, has the same agent (Rich Paul) as LeBron and Davis. 

Murray appeared in 78 games for the Hawks this season. He averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 45.9% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 79.4% from the free-throw line.

The Hawks signed Murray to a four-year, $114 million extension in July 2023. Murray will make $24.8 million next season. 

Murray is believed to have more trade value around the NBA since he’s a better defender than Young.

Murray has career averages of 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the San Antonio Spurs and Hawks.

The Lakers hired former NBA guard JJ Redick as their new head coach. According to Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick, Redick is focused on elevating Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron’s workload.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

D’Angelo Russell can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason by declining his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers. The lefty would likely get traded if Murray landed in Los Angeles. 

Russell appeared in 76 games for the Lakers this season. He averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field, 41.5% from beyond the arc and 82.8% from the free-throw line.