The buzz connecting Hawks guard Dejounte Murray to the Lakers has increased to “noisy levels” as of late, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who hears that the two teams have discussed possible frameworks for a trade.
One concept the Lakers and Hawks talked about late last week would’ve included guard D’Angelo Russell, rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick, and additional draft compensation, multiple team and league sources tell Buha.
Los Angeles can only currently trade one future first-rounder (either the 2029 or 2030 pick), so any additional draft assets would’ve been second-rounders. Plus, as Michael Scotto reported on Thursday, Atlanta has little interest in Russell, so he may need to be rerouted to a third team.
Talks between Los Angeles and Atlanta have since stalled, but the two clubs are expected to revisit those negotiations prior to the February 8 trade deadline, says Buha.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Unless an unexpected opportunity arises, the Lakers are expected to take at least a couple more weeks to evaluate their trade assets and options before pulling the trigger on any deal, according to Buha. As Buha explains, the team would like to address various needs – including three-point shooting, speed, and athleticism – but is still weighing whether it makes more sense to make a smaller move or to do something bigger that would more significantly reshape the rotation.
- No Lakers players besides Anthony Davis and LeBron James are untouchable, but Jarred Vanderbilt is ineligible to be dealt this season and Austin Reaves is “close” to being off the table, says Buha. Team and league sources tell The Athletic that L.A. values Reaves highly and has no interest in moving him, even though almost every trade discussion starts with a prospective trade partner asking for Reaves and a first-round pick. If the Lakers were to part with Reaves, they’d want the deal to net them a clear All-Star (ie. someone a tier above Murray or Zach LaVine) or multiple rotation upgrades, Buha adds.
- Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent are generally considered to have neutral-to-negative trade value, per Buha. Second-year guard Max Christie is viewed by some teams as an underrated three-and-D prospect, but the Lakers would prefer to keep him, Buha notes.
- The Lakers, who had interest in Bruce Brown during the offseason, would still be interested in Brown if the Raptors make him available, Buha reports. Other potential targets the Lakers have discussed in recent weeks include Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, Hornets guard Terry Rozier, Raptors wing Gary Trent Jr., and Nets forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale, says Buha.
Terry Rozier makes perfect sense for this team. Fantastic shooter and more reliable than Russell IMO.
Not sure what it would take to get Rozier salary wise but if the Lakers don’t go after Murray (they should) then Rozier is a nice backup plan and probably wouldn’t cost too much
By “fantastic” you mean a tad better than average?
The package the Lakers have for a trade is garbage.
Then don’t unload your teams ‘garbage’.
Why would the hawks want D’lo when he is just the same type player as Trae Young with less moves. they would ask for Rui over D’Lo any day.
If I’m the Hawks I’m gonna be pretty disappointed if all I get for an expiring contract like Murray’s is a lesser player with an extra year owed, and some rando late first round guy who doesn’t play. Gotta include an unprotected first from the post-LeBron era or I can do better.
He isn’t expiring he just signed an extension
A relatively inexpensive extension at that.
So then the package is fine, considering the stated package includes the 2029 first and additional seconds?
Feels like there is probably 6 or 7 teams just as interested who can offer a lot more. Feels like hawks are using lakers to get offers going.
I need Schifino to go to a team where he can shine (thats not Atlanta either lol)
He is going to be a really good player (please age well)
I think the free-falling Nets would easily trade Royce O’Neale for 2029 LAL 1st rounder with no lottery protection.
Not close to worth it for the Lakers. With so few 1st round picks, they are going to try to package that with another asset to get a better player than Royce.
Lakers should just trade for Rozier.
I like JHS as a prospect, but even I wouldn’t deal Murray just for him and a 2029 FRP (too far out). Particularly if I had to take on DLO’s contract through next year in the process. Still, its closer to market reality than some of the 2k’er suggested packages on this forum.
Think it works even better for Atl if you get Rui for Capela added
That’s the ( best ) proposal I presented yesterday from lakers side and I still think it’s a tad short and agree w Sheldon above they are. Probably using the Lakers to pump up the volume league wide on Murray
IMO, LAL needs to find another FRP to direct ATL’s way. Maybe two swaps of their own 2028 and 2030 will do the trick. I do think, however, that the current ATL FO would prefer some draft capital that vests while they’re still employed. At this rate, they won’t make to 2026, let alone 2028.
Agreed
* I also think Capela would be a terrible fit on Lakers
Good point on current Fo , all signs lead me to believe they can find a better deal lal but lakers would be in running last hrs if market collapses
If there are teams that see Rui as a “neutral-to-negative” asset, they should reevaluate. A good, versatile defender who can play both forward spots, shoot, and create his own shot. That’s a decent player. His contract is a little large for his production, but he’s not that far off DFS’s value overall (more offensive production for slightly less defense). He’s not worth as much as DFS, but including him in a trade should be a positive.
100%
There’s really less players around the League than people think who can score with the ball with 6 sec on the shot clock and a player 20 ft from basket with no space – Rui fits the bill here in spades
Probably not a bigger fan of Rui out there than me , I think he’s been vastly underutilized here
That Lakers package is hit garbage.
Almost any team can top that.
Hawks don’t want to be on the hook for Dlos PO.
Have you seen the Pg market next year ?
Dlo is shooting 40% from 3 and is a plus passer
Brklyn would prolly pay some sone 2 nd rders to get him for Dimwits expiring before the break if a 3 rd team is needed for the Lakers/hawks
Trent would help the Lakers as a shooter.
And, Russell hasn’t played for the Raptors yet.
DAngelo, JHS, and a 2nd for Bruce Brown, Gary Trent JR ñ and Schroder
That isn’t remotely legal lol
What else is included?
Add Vincent. They will need a third team to.compensate salaries
That’s still about 10 million short from the Lakers. Schroeder is making the full middy.
Russel, Vincent, Rui, Jaxson Hayes, and a first gets you to Brown, Trent, and Jaden McDaniels (who has been awful for the Raptors and could use a change of scenery) financially. Rui gives the Raptors an actual wing they can use off the bench or as a starter (outside of Barnes and RJ, they’re a bit weak on the wings), Hayes gives them a backup center to replace Koloko or Achiuwa, and DLo gives them shooting and playmaking, both of which they could use. Vincent is salary filler. Unprotected post-LeBron first rounder sweetens the pot. Alternately, you could replace Hayes with Jalen Hood-Schifino. Rui is, in several ways, a store-brand version of Siakam, so maybe the Raptors would like that.
Not really in favor of the Lakers doing that if Murray is an option, but it’s an idea. Also not necessarily sure the Raptors would go for it.
Lakers lose all those salary slots and unable to regain them as still being over the cap next year. hard pass
GTJr moves zero needles , Browns been bad
*Also don’t think Jeanie has the stomach to totally contradict her last free agency and trade value for Dennis using Gabe
Brown has been exactly the same player as last year, lol. His 3pt percentage is down because he’s making 1/10th of a three less than last season per game (1.1 to 1.0), which is just noise. Even his defense is almost identical, just poorer results because Indiana’s team defense is bad. He’s still making contests at the same rate, with almost identical timing and agility.
Trent is a better or equal 3pt shooter compared to DLo with better defense.
It’s not the best trade in the world (and Schroeder can’t be had because he’s making too much), but it is a viable move.
Whoes running point this year ?
Have you seen the pg market next year ?
You’re losing good ( non replaceable ) years on the ledger here to just reshuffle the deck nominally. My opinion is that dlo contract has more value than Trent’s if you look at the upcoming. Pg market – next years Sg market is the only market that is flush as well on top
Brown /bad might not be the right wording but he’s shown imo that he’s not really a 20 mill player
What it shows more is just how much joker makes everyone betrrr tho on a bigger scale
I’ve watched a lotta Indy this year and brown. Has not made an impact that much , again prolly points more to joker but he’s not a 20+ player outside of him for this exercise , at least not one to get excited about and wiliingly lose roster flexibility over
That’s why I said “it’s not the best trade in the world”, and why I wouldn’t do it if Murray can be gotten for a fair price. Brown and Reaves (better A/T than Murray and not far off DLo on similar volume, and DLo has certainly been more turnover prone in the past than this year) are capable of playing Point, as is LeBron, but it would be a weird solution.
I wouldn’t call it nominal; you’re trading versatility for more defense and top-end production. Trent and Brown are a better offensive duo than DLo and Rui, and you’re losing DLo’s terrible defense and Rui’s decent defense for Brown and Trent’s above average defense with similar offensive production.
It’s not a big upgrade, but ditching DLo’s defense is an upgrade in and of itself. His assists don’t tell the whole story either. Reaves generates more Points per Possession than DLo off of assists despite fewer opportunities. Their points generated from assists also favor Reaves. DLo is a pretty mid PG who is only really good at shooting threes.
Also, of course Brown isn’t worth 22 mil. That was an overpay from the word go. But his production has barely changed in Indy from Denver. Indiana’s system on defense sucks, which is why he’s not been as impactful on that end, but he’s making all the right moves. Just no help when the defense sucks as much as Indy’s does. LA doesn’t have that problem.
Reaves is not a pg , put him in that role for 30+ mins he would prolly lead the league in to”s
Dlo plays very well w AD
That’s not a realistic assertion. There has never been any evidence that Reaves would be so turnover prone. He’s already third on the team in pass frequency and has better production from teammates on his passes than DLo does. He’s also about as heavily guarded as DLo is. Reality is, he’s just as good if not better at passing than DLo is.
AD shoots 43% on passes from DLo. That’s the lowest FG% of all DLo’s teammates off his assists, even though Davis is his most frequent target. The reverse is also true. Both LeBron and Reaves generate a higher percentage from DLo when he’s receiving passes from them. Davis and DLo don’t work nearly as well together as it might seem.
Reaves is a playmaker not a facilitator
You see when there’s no lbj / dlo on the court he struggles to get the offense in motion. He’s said so himself that he doesn’t view himself as a true pg and more a playmaker
The whole idea just seems like re shuffling the deck chairs- They got 1 shot at this , I’d want more certainties
*good new Ryan Russiillo pod talking bout how Joker makes guys like Brown look better than they are . I kinda agree having seen a lotta Indy games myself this year
*Jalen McDaniels, not Jaden. I always get them confused.
No Reaves no Murray.
Lakers, Pistons, Raptors
Lakers send AR, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Wood.
Pistons send Stewart, Burks, Bogdanovic, Wiseman, Muscala, 2nd round pick.
Raptors send Bruce Brown, Trent Jr.
Lakers get Stewart, Bogdanovic, Bruce Brown, Muscala.
Pistons get AR, Wood, Gary Trent Jr.
Raptors get Vincent, Vanderbilt, Burks, Wiseman and the Pistons 2nd which could be the highest.
Cade Trent Reaves Wood Duren
Ivey Hayes Ausar Knox Gallo
Sign a Big Center prospect for development.
Start winning games.
Get the youngsters earn their playing time by playing winning basketball.
If not, rather play the established players.
Trent is tough, plays D, is a shooter, has started in the playoffs. Can bring toughness and lead holding kids accountable.
Does JHS even play!?
Three team trade. Lakers trade D Russel, Rui H and JHS and Wood to Chicago, a pick to Atlanta. Chicago trades Zach Lavine and Drummond, Taylor and a pick to Atlanta, Craig to the Lakers. Atlanta trades Murray, Capela and Wesley Matthews to Lakers. Chicago makes some more trades.
To get rid of Lavine Chicago will have to give up picks. Laker fans over value their sorry players. Nobody wants Dlo or Rui. They lost to the sinking Nets . ESPN blows smoke up Lebron. Everyone watches to see Lebron lose.