According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to try to trade for Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray again in the summer.
The Lakers came close to acquiring Murray this season, but since the Hawks wanted Austin Reaves, LAL didn’t pull the trigger on a trade.
“League personnel expect Los Angeles, of course, to re-engage Atlanta over Murray, and New Orleans will have the opportunity to resume conversations the Pelicans held with the Hawks this week,” Fischer wrote.
The Hawks wanted at least two future first-round picks for Murray, who is averaging 21.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 46.6% from the field, 37.0% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. He’s one of the top two-way players in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
A Washington product, Murray is making $17.7 million this season. He signed a four-year, $114 extension with the Hawks last summer. The extension kicks in next season when Murray will make $24.8 million.
Murray wanted to get traded to the Lakers, sources told NBA Analysis Network. He has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports) as LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, the Lakers didn’t want to part ways with Reaves to acquire Murray.
A one-time All-Star, Murray has career averages of 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the San Antonio Spurs and Hawks. He made the 2017-18 All-Defensive Second Team and won the 2021-22 steals title.
The Hawks are 22-29 on the season. They are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. It will be interesting to see how Murray and Trae Young finish the season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, the Lakers are 27-26. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.
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