As the Atlanta Hawks try to clear out their other large salaries, the Los Angeles Lakers may be able to extend a possible trade for Dejounte Murray at a lower cost.
John Hollinger of The Athletic, a former Memphis Grizzlies front-office executive, claims that the Hawks may use Murray as a lure to let go of Clint Capela or De’Andre Hunter.
“League sources say the Hawks have had continued chatter on potential Murray deals,” Hollinger wrote on January 14. “Some will tell you they’re almost there, but others will argue the Hawks are still trying to figure out how much they can get for him and other important players (like Hunter and Capela).”
The Hawks’ efforts to strengthen their team have also been hampered by the too optimistic extensions for Capela (who has one more year left at $22.2 million) and Hunter (who has three more years remaining at a total of $70 million). The possibility that Murray’s salary may be used as leverage to force Capela or, more specifically, Hunter into a deal makes selling him mere months after he accepted a four-year, $114 million extension alluring.
However, there’s little likelihood that they’ll obtain anything comparable to what they gave up to get him.
According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, during their prior trade negotiations with the Knicks, the Hawks demanded Immanuel Quickley and a first-round choice.
The Toronto Raptors valued Quickley at the equivalent of two first-round picks, so that’s pretty much what they gave up in exchange for three first-round picks plus a pick swap.
The Lakers might be able to negotiate a deal without having to give up Austin Reaves if they absorb Hunter’s salary.
Lakers’ Substitute Trade Choice
NBA front office insider Bobby Marks offered Rob Pelinka an alternate trade option if the Hawks insist on trading Reaves for Murray without receiving more value.
“If I were the Lakers, I would inquire about Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, but such a trade may require the loss of Austin Reaves. Caruso has one of the best contracts, and DeRozan may become a free agency.
NBA Executive Questions Whether Lakers Can Increase Dejounte Murray Trade
If the Hawks are determined to acquire Reaves back in the probable Murray deal, an NBA executive presented ESPN’s Zach Lowe with an enhanced trade proposal.
“Yesterday, January 11, I had a spitball conversation with an NBA executive from a different team. If Reaves is involved, might the Lakers work out a better deal to acquire Bogdan Bogdanovich, the much-needed sharpshooter, and Dejounte Murray? Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, additional draft compensation, and Jalen Hood-Schifino have to be a part of it, Lowe stated on “NBA Today” on January 12.
In any in-season trade, the Lakers are only allowed to provide one first-round selection (2029) and three pick swaps (2026, 2028, and 2030).
The key to a possible Murray trade is Reaves, the player the Hawks are vying for on the Lakers roster.
