According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to trade D’Angelo Russell and Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Atlanta Hawks for Dejounte Murray.
The Hawks are expected to trade Murray before the February 8 trade deadline.
“The Murray buzz is only increasing — and to noisy levels,” Buha wrote. “The Lakers and Hawks have discussed potential frameworks of a deal, including a version late last week that centered on Russell, Hood-Schifino, the 2029 first-round pick and additional draft compensation, according to multiple team and league sources. Talks have since stalled, but are expected to pick back up closer to the deadline.”
Murray has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as Lakers stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James. The Washington product doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, but he would be “happy” if he got traded to Los Angeles, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Murray is averaging 21.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 47.1% from the floor, 38.3% from 3 and 82.5% from the free-throw line. He’s making $17.7 million.
Meanwhile, Russell is averaging 15.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks this season while shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the foul line. He’s making $17.3 million.
The Lakers (21-21) are in 10th place in the Western Conference standings, while the Hawks (17-23) are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Murray, who began his career with the San Antonio Spurs, signed a four-year, $114 million extension with the Hawks in July. Russell, meanwhile, signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Lakers.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, LAL is looking for speed and athleticism at the trade deadline.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers have to decide if trading Russell for Murray would move the needle for them. Russell has played well since being re-inserted into the starting lineup, averaging 27.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks over his last three games. He’s a better shooter than Murray, but Murray is a better two-way player than Russell.
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