There are trade rumors around the NBA all year. The rumor mill churns on a 24/7 basis. With that said, the rumors are especially loud around this time of the year. After all, the trade deadline is right around the corner.
There will be trades that come out of left field. It happens every year. We’d heard nothing about a certain move, and it happens. At the same time, some moves have been widely discussed ahead of the deadline. Some players are closely linked to a particular team.
Take Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks. A lot of folks are expecting him to land on the Los Angeles Lakers. This has been a popular rumor.
Here’s a deal that makes it happen.
NBA Trade Proposal: Miami Heat Land Atlanta Hawks’ Dejounte Murray
New York Knicks Receive: G D’Angelo Russell
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, F Rui Hachimura, 2025 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (BKN via NYK), 2026 Second-Round Pick (BOS or WAS via NYK), 2030 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Dejounte Murray
Yet, the Lakers always find themselves in rumors, don’t they? That makes sense. The Lakers are the leagues most prominent brand. Whether they’re legitimately in the running for a player or not, in all likelihood, someone will suggest that they ought to be.
This isn’t even the only rumor they’re currently involved in. For that matter, it’s not the only rumor that involves the Hawks. It’s recently been suggested that the Lakers could make a run at Trae Young this summer.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
We’ll see what happens. If Young is keen to join the Lakers, he could try to manipulate his way onto their roster. With that said, other teams will have more assets to offer the Hawks if they put Young on the block.
Should they even accept this offer for Murray?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
Sure. After all, it’s a buyer’s market at the moment. If the Hawks are seriously trying to move Murray, they won’t do much better than this. On a related note: the Hawks should be trying to move Murray.
His fit alongside Young is subpar. They’re both ball-dominant guards. The longer the Hawks hold onto Murray, the more dire this situation becomes. Murray’s value could slip if he’s more actively forcing his way out of town. Meanwhile, if the Hawks continue to slide, Young could be the one issuing a trade request.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Besides, this isn’t such a bad return. The Hawks are picking up a considerable amount of draft capital along with a younger player in Hachimura. They should also be happy to pick up an expiring contract like Fournier’s.
Should the Knicks take on Russell’s money?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
It seems that the Knicks are looking for some reserve playmaking. At the moment, they’re prominently linked to Malcolm Brogdon. If they land him, they won’t be making this deal.
Could Russell be a better option? These are two comparable players. Brogdon is a better shooter and defender, while Russell has superior floor vision. Still, there’s one significant difference between the pair. Brogdon is a major injury risk, whereas Russell is reasonably durable.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
He’s also skilled enough to carry this team’s second unit. Russell could be the sixth man who replaces Immanuel Quickley and helps the Knicks make a deep playoff run. Should the Lakers part with him?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
The Lakers are rumored to be interested in Young – and Donovan Mitchell. Consider us skeptical. Perhaps they could make a competitive offer for Young if he’s on the block – albeit, that’s a stretch – but they won’t have the assets to bring in Mitchell.
Let’s pose a related question. Who’s the better option for the Lakers – Young or Murray? Young is surely the more dynamic offensive player.
Still, when Murray was with the San Antonio Spurs, he was seen as an elite point of attack defender. Rumors indicate that that’s something the Lakers covet in their next guard acquisition.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
It feels possible that Murray will return to his defensive form. In that event, he should be the superior acquisition for the Lakers. After all, he’s a capable playmaker, shot-creator, and floor-spacer in his own right. It’s no surprise that he’s a popular Lakers target.
