Los Angeles makes a rookie and D’Angelo Russell offer for Hawks guard Dejounte Murray.
In order to help Los Angeles reach the Western Conference finals the previous season, the Lakers reorganized their lineup by signing D’Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba, and Rui Hachimura prior to the trade deadline.
The Lakers are interested in players who may be important additions to their backcourt, but don’t anticipate them to make many major moves this season.
The Lakers reportedly made a bid for Atlanta Hawks point guard Dejounte Murray on Tuesday, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. In addition to rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft compensation, the deal would include veteran point guard D’Angelo Russell, who would start.
Siegel continued, saying that Jovan Buha of The Athletic initially revealed that the trade package was turned down “out of the blue” because Atlanta was unwilling to give up Russell for a two-way point guard. It should come as no surprise that the Lakers are attempting to trade for Murray.
Murray would beat Russell on both ends of the floor right away. The 27-year-old Murray may be the extra ball handler and floor general the Lakers need since he can play off the ball. It will be intriguing to watch if the Lakers go elsewhere for a better backcourt or if the Hawks reduce Murray’s contract.
Although they had a face-to-face meeting on Tuesday night, Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell and Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray are the two players that have been mentioned in trade rumors.
The Lakers were reportedly interested in trading for Russell in order to facilitate a potential trade with the Hawks, and they were also open to receiving Murray from the Hawks. Russell and Murray were guarding one another at the beginning of Tuesday’s game, which made for an unusual scene given all the comments.
“I believe I’ve stated quite clearly that I won’t address rumors or conjecture.”
“You are not necessary for us!”
They yelled again and again.
In the fourth quarter, Hawks supporters finally saw why they were still in the market for Murray and why the Lakers were so interested in the versatile guard. With 24 points on 11 of 19 shots, nine assists, and two steals, Murray emerged victorious in the contest.
When Murray hit a straight drive to the basket to give the Hawks an 18-point lead, Lakers coach Darvin Ham called a timeout with 3:21 left. It was a tougher game for the Lakers, as Anthony Davis was out with Achilles tendon pain and left hip spasms, but he was a non-starter.
Asked if he would play Thursday in Boston against the Celtics, Davis was emphatic. But without him against the Hawks, 39-year-old LeBron James would play in back-to-back games and lead the Lakers. James had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 36 minutes.
The journey will only get more difficult for the Lakers, who have a game Thursday night in Boston, a team with the NBA’s best record (37-11) and a 22-2 record at home, and Saturday night in New York (The match will be held with a score of 31 wins and 17 losses, the team with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Next, James was asked if the Lakers would be open to playing those two teams. His response revealed a great deal about the Lakers’ situation. “We are there,” I said. I asked Christian Wood, who posted to Wood approximately half an hour before the game began, what he meant by it because he wasn’t named a starter.
“I wanted to quote something like, ‘So, I didn’t intend it that way.'”That’s not how I meant it.
Additionally, he was questioned about if it was typical for players to share remarks on social media so soon after a match. Wood retorted, “No, no, no.”
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