Report: Dejounte Murray to Lakers trade 'unrealistic'

The Los Angeles Lakers have been earmarked as one of the suitors for Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, who is said to be on the market ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

As much as the Lakers would benefit by adding the two-way guard, NBA insider Marc Stein has ruled out the possibility, writing in his Sunday newsletter that D'Angelo Russell’s resurgence as a starter has led to the Purple & Gold having second thoughts about trading the former Ohio State product.

"League sources say that there has been little-to-no trade dialogue in recent days between the Hawks and the Lakers when it comes to former All-Star Dejounte Murray," wrote Stein.

"Trade talks tend to be fluid this time of year and can be easily sparked up again, but one source briefed on the talks termed the idea of Murray landing with the Lakers before the deadline, as of this Sunday, as "unrealistic."

Russell – previously considered to be on the trading block – is averaging 27.5 points over his last eight games, with his latest 28-point outburst helping the Lakers beat the Warriors in a 2OT thriller on Saturday night. Since the start of the new year, Russell is averaging 23.9 points while shooting an impressive 50 percent from the three-point arc. 

Although Murray is averaging similar numbers in 2024, posting 23.7 points for the Hawks, he’s making 2.4 threes per game compared to Russell’s 4.3. As such, not many believe Murray would be an upgrade over Russell – at least on the offensive side of the ball.  

NBA insider Shams Charania previously reported the Lakers offered Russell, a 2029 first-round pick and a future pick swap as part of a trade package for Murray. However, the Hawks walked away from talks after being unable to find a third team to take on Russell’s contract. Russell is owed $17.3 million this season and has a player option for next season, with the ability to hit free agency.