Dejounte Murray, Lakers rumors swirl
LeBron James posted on X an emoji of an hourglass Tuesday after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Atlanta Hawks.
However you want to interpret his social media message, the bottom line is this: Time is running out on James and the Lakers’ 2023-24 season. Unless, of course, the Lakers make the kind of trade that reshapes their season, which is also what James could be imploring the front office to do. Make a deal before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
Coming off a Western Conference finals appearance and what was perceived as a strong offseason with roster construction, the Lakers are average this season – 24-25 and in ninth place in the West going into Thursday – and James and Anthony Davis have been on the court for at least 90% of games. They’re closer to 13th place than they are eighth place.
Let’s take a look at trade deadline chatter, rumors and what we’re hearing:
Will the Lakers trade for Murray?
The Lakers and Hawks have had discussions about Dejounte Murray, whom the Hawks acquired from the San Antonio Spurs for Danilo Gallinari and, more important, three first-round draft picks.
The Hawks about three weeks ago hired veteran front office executive Chris Grant as an executive adviser. Grant has been an executive with Atlanta and Cleveland (assistant general manager and general manager) and worked with Hawks general manager Landry Fields when they were with San Antonio.
Grant is helping Fields assess the trade market and explore ways the Hawks can recoup the draft picks they gave up in the Murray deal.
The Lakers don’t have those assets and likely need to involve a third team.
Klutch Sports and CEO Rich Paul, one of the most influential agents who represents James, Davis, Murray and Fields, the Hawks GM. However, these relationships are woven throughout the league. Knicks front office executives Leon Rose and William Wesley are former CAA employees, and CAA and Rose’s son, Sam, represent several players, including Knicks players (Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby among them), coaches and front office execs.
The Bucks, according to Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, also expressed interest in Murray, who had 24 points in Atlanta’s victory over the Lakers.
Donovan Mitchell likely staying put in Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to draw significant interest in guard Donovan Mitchell, who is having an AllStar season at 27.7 points, career-high 6.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game with solid shooting splits (46.1%/34.4%/85.7%).
The message from the Cavs to other teams: Mitchell won’t be traded. They like him and his game.
Cleveland is playing its best basketball of the season. The Cavs are 28-16 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind thirdplace New York. They have won nine of their past 10 games and are set to get Evan Mobley and Darius Garland back from injuries.
There is belief within the organization that the Cavs can make a strong push for home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
What will the Wizards do at the trade deadline?
The Washington Wizards are rebuilding, which requires draft picks. Of players on the roster today, it’s unlikely more than three will be on the roster in two seasons. Rookie Bilal Coulibaly isn’t going anywhere, and even though the Wizards have taken calls on Deni Avdija, including from the Los Angeles Clippers who explored Avdija’s availability, the Wizards like what he brings.
Tyus Jones is a player who could be on the move to a team looking for point guard help, but the Wizards also like what he brings to the team now and can envision a role for him in the future.
Kyle Kuzma continues to draw interest and has been linked to a deal involving the Sacramento Kings. The Athletic reported at least one first-round pick and the right player in return could compel the Wizards to trade him.
What about Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls?
At the beginning of the season, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine was considered a lock for a trade.
However, injuries combined with the three years and $137.9 million left on LaVine’s contract, including $48,967,380 in the final season of the deal, have made a trade less likely.
LaVine has played in 25 of Chicago’s 48 games and is sidelined with a sprained right ankle.