NBA Trade Rumors: Dejounte Murray Talks Between Lakers, Hawks Have ‘Stalled’

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The Los Angeles Lakers have their sights set on acquiring Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, but it appears the Purple and Gold have hit a roadblock in negotiations.

Trade discussions between the Lakers and Hawks on a deal for Murray have “stalled,” according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. However, talks are expected to begin again closer to the deadline, Buha added.

The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania first labeled Murray as a potential target for the Lakers on Dec. 26 during an appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back.

According to Buha, the Lakers and Hawks “have discussed potential frameworks of a deal” for Murray. Last week, the two sides had negotiations centered around D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-round pick and additional draft compensation, Buha added.

The Purple and Gold have also been linked to Zach LaVine this winter, but ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported Wednesday on SportsCenter (1:59 mark) that a deal for the Chicago Bulls veteran is “not happening.”

McMenamin added that the Lakers are “surveying the market for point guard help.”

Murray began his career as a point guard for the San Antonio Spurs before being traded to the Hawks ahead of the 2022-23 season and transitioning to a shooting guard role to play alongside Trae Young.

The 27-year-old earned his lone All-Star selection playing as a point guard during the 2021-22 season. He averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists in 68 games with the Spurs while shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and 32.7 percent from deep.

Although Murray’s shooting numbers have been relatively the same this season—averaging 21.0 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from deep—he’s not much of a facilitator in Atlanta because that role is owned by Young.

Murray is averaging just 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists through 40 games.

It’s possible Murray would thrive in Los Angeles with a return to the point guard position alongside a unit highlighted by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves.

Considering the Lakers need playmaking and shooting help, Murray could be the difference in the team reaching the playoffs or continuing to flounder in the Western Conference standings.