The Los Angeles Lakers have been earmarked as one of many
suitors for Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, who is alleged to be on
the market forward of the Feb. 8 commerce deadline.
As a lot because the Lakers would profit by including the two-way guard, NBA insider Marc Stein has dominated out the chance, writing in his Sunday publication that D’Angelo Russell’s resurgence as a starter has led to the Purple & Gold having second ideas about buying and selling the previous Ohio State product.
“League sources say that there was little-to-no commerce dialogue in latest days between the Hawks and the Lakers in terms of former All-Star Dejounte Murray,” wrote Stein.
“Commerce talks are typically fluid this time of yr and may be
simply sparked up once more, however one supply briefed on the talks termed the concept of
Murray touchdown with the Lakers earlier than the deadline, as of this Sunday, as “unrealistic.”
Russell – beforehand thought of to be on the buying and selling block – is averaging 27.5 factors over his final eight video games, together with his newest 28-point
outburst serving to the Lakers beat the Warriors in a 2OT thriller on Saturday
evening. Because the begin of the brand new yr, Russell is averaging 23.9 factors whereas taking pictures
a formidable 50 p.c from the three-point arc.
Though Murray is averaging
related numbers in 2024, posting 23.7 factors for the Hawks, he’s making 2.4
threes per sport in comparison with Russell’s 4.3. As such, not many
imagine Murray can be an improve over Russell – at the very least on the offensive
facet of the ball.
NBA insider Shams Charania beforehand reported the Lakers supplied Russell, a 2029 first-round choose and a future choose swap as a part of a commerce bundle for Murray. Nevertheless, the Hawks walked away from talks after being unable to discover a third workforce to tackle Russell’s contract. Russell is owed $17.3 million this season and has a participant possibility for subsequent season, with the flexibility to hit free company.
