The Los Angeles Lakers are under pressure to show LeBron James that the front staff is capable of building an NBA title contender this offseason. In the upcoming months, James will have the option to opt out of his two-year, $99 million contract and become a free agent.
The Lakers have long been associated with star guard Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks, but the team was unable to complete a trade for the player before the trade deadline. Is there another chance for the Lakers to get Murray? Sean Davis of Bleacher Report proposed a possible three-team trade that would include the Charlotte Hornets in order to assist pull off the historic transaction.
Murray and Hornets center Nick Richards are included in the trade for the Lakers. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, a 2025 first-round selection, and a 2030 first-round pick are traded by Los Angeles to Atlanta.
The Hornets trade De’Andre Hunter to Charlotte in exchange for a protected first-round pick in 2027, which goes to the Hawks. Atlanta punches the reset button with this proposal, acquiring three future first round picks in exchange for Hunter as part of the three-team transaction.
Let’s examine if the Lakers, Hawks, and Hornets should accept this trade proposal.
With Murray joining James and Anthony Davis in the starting lineup, the Lakers will have a new big three going into the 2024–25 campaign. Hachimura and Reaves, two role players Atlanta acquires, might fit Trae Young better. Atlanta receiving three first round picks as part of the transaction is the true bonus.
Davis said in a May 10, 2024 live stream, “This is a three-team deal that I kind of just came up with here on the fly.” In the end, Nick Richards and Dejounte Murray join the Lakers. You do realize that D’Angelo Russell has the option to opt out of this.
The Hawks acquire Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. In exchange for Dejounte Murray, the Hawks receive two first round picks from the Lakers and a well protected first round pick that isn’t even the Hornets. The Hornets receive De’Andre Hunter. First, Miami provides them with protection.
Next season, Murray will start a four-year, $114 million contract. Considering his output, the former All-Star’s $25.4 million cap charge for 2024–25 seems fair.
Throughout his 78 games this season, Murray averaged a career-high 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 36.3% from three-point range. It is important to emphasize Richards’ inclusion in this transaction. Richards would provide the Lakers with a starting center as a backup.
Throughout his 67 appearances, including 51 starts, the big man finished the previous season with 9.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Though it’s unclear if Los Angeles has enough assets to sign a player of Murray’s caliber, the team is looking for a third star.
The Hawks, meantime, have recently concluded another dismal campaign in which Murray and Young don’t seem to mesh well. Atlanta has a limited amount of time to decide how to proceed with their backcourt.
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