The Los Angeles Lakers are 17-19 after 35 games and are currently on a trajectory that would see them miss the playoffs.
With the NBA Trade Deadline rapidly approaching, the general consensus seems to be that L.A. needs to make some changes.
In recent days, Rob Pelinka and Co. have been linked to Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons, three notable point guards and Gordon Hayward of the Charlotte Hornets.
Los Angeles is also one of two teams most closely linked to a possible trade for Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks.
That being said, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, one issue is currently standing in the way of a Murray-to-L.A. trade.
“As for the Los Angeles Lakers, player of interest as well for them, Dejounte Murray. But, any type of deal centered around Dejounte Murray, it would have to be Austin Reaves,” Chris Haynes said.
“You would think Austin Reaves would be a part of that. Rui Hachimura would probably be in it. And for Atlanta, that just wouldn’t be enough. It wouldn’t be enough. So, Lakers, they have interest, but the problem with the Lakers is they need more pieces that’s gonna be attractive for the Atlanta Hawks.”
It stands to reason that Atlanta doesn’t want to give up its second-best player for scraps.
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If the Lakers want a talented piece, they are going to need to give up worthwhile assets in order to get him.
That being said, even though Darvin Ham randomly seems to hate him, the front office remains very fond of Reaves. It is hard to see a scenario where they unload him.
Will the Lakers and Hawks ultimately be able to work out a trade for Murray that satisfies all sides? Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
