Getty The Los Angeles Lakers could look to trade Austin Reaves for a third star like Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray.
The pressure is on the Los Angeles Lakers to prove to LeBron James that the front office can construct an NBA title contender this offseason. James can opt out of his two-year, $99 million contract to become a free agent in the coming months.
Atlanta Hawks star guard Dejounte Murray has long been a name linked to the Lakers, but the team did not strike a deal for the star at the trade deadline. Could the Lakers have another opportunity to land Murray? Bleacher Report’s Sean Davis outlined a three-team trade proposal, adding the Charlotte Hornets to help facilitate the blockbuster deal.
The Lakers would receive Murray and Hornets center Nick Richards as part of the deal. Los Angeles would trade Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, a 2025 first-rounder and a 2030 first-round pick to Atlanta.
The Hawks also would receive a protected 2027 first-round pick from the Hornets with De’Andre Hunter heading to Charlotte. By adding Hunter in the three-team trade, Atlanta would be able to secure three first-rounders as it hits the reset button with this proposal.
Let’s take a look at whether this trade pitch makes sense for the Lakers, Hawks and Hornets.
Lakers Rumors: 3-Team Trade Pitch Gives LA a New Big 3 by Landing Hawks Star Dejounte Murray
The Lakers are looking to trade the No. 17 pick, per @jovanbuha
“ It will be the first time that they could use all three of their tradable first-round picks, and it’s a prime opportunity for them to potentially get either a third star… Whether that is a significant move like…
For the Lakers, Murray would slide into the lineup nicely alongside James and Anthony Davis, giving LA a new big three heading into the 2024-25 season. Atlanta would get two role players in Hachimura and Reaves that may better fit with Trae Young. The real bonus is Atlanta walking away with three first-rounders as part of the deal.
“This is a three-team deal that I kind of just came up with here on the fly,” Davis explained in a May 10, 2024 live stream. “The Lakers ultimately end up with Dejounte Murray and Nick Richards. This is in a scenario where D’Angelo Russell opts out, right.
“The Hawks get Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves. The Hornets get De’Andre Hunter, and in return the Hawks also get two firsts from the Lakers for Dejounte Murray, and they get a heavily protected first rounder that’s not even the Hornets. They get a protected first from Miami.”
Lakers Rumors: LA Would Add 2 Potential Starters With the Addition of Nick Richards & Dejounte Murray
Murray is set to begin a four-year, $114 million contract next season. The former All-Star has a reasonable $25.4 million cap hit for 2024-25 considering his production.
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 the three-point line in 78 appearances this season. The addition of Richards in this deal should not be understated. Richards would give the Lakers a backup center with starting experience.
The big man posted 9.7 points, 8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 67 appearances this past season, including 51 starts. Los Angeles is in search of a third star, but it remains to be seen whether the franchise has enough assets to land a player like Murray.
Meanwhile, the Hawks just finished another unsuccessful season in which Murray and Young did not appear to click. The clock is ticking on Atlanta to make a decision on the future of their backcourt. This pressure is especially heightened after winning the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery.