Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and the team’s two stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis
Relegated to 11th place in the West, the Lakers could lack internal solutions, hence the activity of managers on the market. And even if competition is fierce during this period, certain information can give them hope.
The Lakers have just suffered a 4th defeat in a row. With their record of 17-19, the In-Season Tournament champions currently find themselves 11th in the Western Conference. We are therefore talking about a crisis for a team which was nevertheless designated among the favorites for the title by many observers before the start of the season. That said, Californians intend to reverse the trend.
Indeed, LA leaders are looking for reinforcements on the backcourt according to Adrian Wojnarowski. As a result, rumors proliferate, but the most popular concerns Dejounte Murray. Are the Hawks willing to part ways with their guard, though? This is the subject that insider Jake Fischer recently looked into in the columns of Yahoo Sports, first of all offering some initial information.
Dejounte Murray accessible for the Lakers?
The Hawks are certainly open to business, having many long contracts that can be traded. At this point, Atlanta informed several teams that the only untouchable players on its roster were (Trae) Young and young winger Jalen Johnson, according to sources.
Murray would therefore be completely accessible, which Fischer confirmed:
The main point guard on the market between now and the February 8 trade deadline is expected to be Dejounte Murray, a former All-Star whom the Hawks have made available in negotiations according to league sources. This, two years after trading three 1st-round picks to recruit him from San Antonio
The Hawks staff will therefore not retain the former Spurs player in the event of a satisfactory offer. It now remains to be seen what this offer could correspond to and whether the Lakers would be able to put it together with the assets they have. There is no doubt that they should part ways with players such as D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and/or Austin Reaves with a view to matching salaries.
Likewise, it would be interesting to know if the Purple & Gold would favor the arrival of Murray over that of Zach LaVine, who was also on their radar. The latter in any case represents a greater financial risk, his contract of 4 years and 180 million dollars proving to be much higher than that of his Atlanta counterpart. So many questions whose answers will be known soon.
The crisis is in full swing among the Lakers, who are looking for solutions on the market. Dejounte Murray is one of their tracks and would a priori be accessible on the market. It’s up to them to put together the necessary package to acquire it if they wish.
