The Los Angeles Lakers are attempting to improve their squad in order to increase their chances of winning a championship with LeBron James, 39, and trade rumors are circulating around the team. For the purpose of improving the team’s performance in the second half of the 2023–24 season, Klutchsports is actively searching the market for necessary components.

One nаme sticks out among the rush of trade speculations involving the Lakers: Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks. Murray’s nаme has garnered a lot of traction in the talks.

According to Audacity Sports’ Anthony Irwin, the Lakers have put a lot of effort into acquiring Dejounte Murray. Given how LeBron James and Klutch Sports have behaved in interviews and on social media, it’s clear that something is wrong.

“One thing that has become crystal clear either through (LeBron James) subtweets, vague response when asked about the infamous hourglass, and not-so-subtle flirting with the city of New York over the weekend is that LeBron and Klutch Sports have a desired outcome to this deadline,” Irwin said on Twitter. “James and the Klutch contingent near the Lakers want (Dejounte) Murray.”

The price of a trade to get Dejounte Murray and LeBron James together for the Los Angeles Lakers

According to Anthony Irwin, the Atlanta Hawks are more interested in obtaining Austin Reaves from the LA Lakers than D’Angelo Russell in any possible trade involving Dejounte Murray.

If that is the case, one more LA Lakers player would need to join Reaves, who makes $12 million, in order to match Murray’s $17 million payroll.

Potential Lakers additions to the trade might be Jalen Hood-Schifino, Taurean Prince, or perhaps the injured Jarred Vanderbilt. While a package of draft picks would be an option, the Lakers don’t have enough valuable assets to attract the Hawks.

Dejounte Murray and D’Angelo Russell going one-to-one would be the ideal situation for the Lakers. However, the Hawks believe they have Trae Young covered at point guard and don’t need another one. Young complementing Austin Reaves would be their dream backcourt combination.

Murray has helped the Hawks in 48 games with 21.5 points, 5.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per contest. He’s proven to be versatile, playing well off the ball as well as point guard, so pairing him with LeBron James would be perfect.

The LA Lakers or Atlanta Hawks haven’t given up on their dream lineups as the trade deadline approaches. When the trade deadline arrives on February 8, it’s probably going to be one of the most watched scenarios.