An interesting name has emerged as a potential trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers as the team has been connected to Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray. The Murray-Trae Young pairing simply is not working in Atlanta and the Hawks appear motivated to change course sooner rather than later.

On paper, Murray could be exactly what this team needs. He still has the ceiling of being an All-Defensive player and would give Los Angeles a better second ballhandler. There is some stylistic clashing with LeBron James but it would be much easier to pair Murray next to LeBron than it has been to pair him with Young.

Add in the fact that he is a Klutch Sports client and it feels like the perfect scenario for all involved parties. As great as it might seem on paper, though, it does not look like it wll be a reality. In his latest for Hoops Hype, insider Michael Scotto detailed Atlanta’s likely asking price for Murray and how it impacts a potential Lakers pursuit.

“Atlanta is looking for at least two first-round picks, according to The Ringer. The Hawks are not looking to take back salary past this season, league sources told HoopsHype. […] Any framework for a Murray trade to the Lakers would likely involve guard D’Angelo Russell, league sources told HoopsHype. However, that would be contingent on Russell being flipped to a third team from Atlanta in the process. Russell’s $18.69 million player option for next season and his playing style next to Trae Young isn’t viewed as a fit for the Hawks. As ESPN reported, Los Angeles’ 2029 first-round pick would almost assuredly have to be included. ”

Scotto went on to outline the potential ways that the Lakers could add more value to the trade. Rookie point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino was mentioned but Scotto made the important note that the Hawks picked Kobe Bufkin over JHS, so they may not value him very much.

As previously reported, Scotto also touched on the Austin Reaves dynamic of the trade. Atlanta covets Reaves but the Lakers have no desire to trade the former undrafted rookie, even if the numbers support a potential trade.

All of this should lead Lakers fans to believe that a Murray trade simply won’t happen. The Lakers don’t have the draft capital to make it work and it is hard to construct a trade that would fit all of Atlanta’s demands with the resources that the Lakers have.

Instead of focusing on Murray, the Lakers may need to make an improvement for a lesser name to improve the roster. Someone like Malcolm Brogdon could make a lot of sense, especially considering he is on an expiring deal and may not cost much on the market.

Whether it is Brogdon or someone like Alex Caruso, it is clear that the Lakers have to give up on any potential Murray dreams that the team had. As great as he would be next to LeBron and Anthony Davis, it simply does not look like it is going to happen for the Lake Show.