It's the beginning of the new year, and the 2023-24 NBA regular season has come to the middle of the season. Soon, the annual trading deadline will be upon us. At this stage, it's the busiest time of the season. Those teams that are looking to strengthen will start brewing big deals in an attempt to improve their roster. Especially for teams that don't play as expected, it's even more necessary to do something. This season's Lakers, Warriors and other teams are all such teams, and they will be active buyers in the trade market.
There is a way that thousands of troops are easy to find, and players who can really bring qualitative changes to a team are originally a scarce resource in the league. Once such a player enters the trade market, it is bound to attract the attention of multiple teams. For example, a few days ago, in the big trade completed by the Knicks and the Raptors, Anunoby, Barrett, and Quickley are all very powerful players. After that deal was completed, both the Raptors and the Knicks played very good follow-ups, and it can be said that it was a win-win deal. It's a very good result for both teams and for a couple of players.
After the Anunoby and Barrett trades are completed, there are not many players on the trade market who can be called big fish this year. The Bulls' LaVine is one, but LaVine's role in improving a team is really limited, and it really can't bring qualitative changes to the team. That's why LaVine has been on the trade shelf for half a season, and still no one cares. Still, there are big fish, and soon, a large number of All-Stars are on the trade market that teams are interested in, and he is Hawks guard Dejounte Murray.
According to media reports, Dejounte Murray, who signed a contract extension last offseason, will lift the trade restriction on January 10. Prior to this, Murray had been embroiled in trade rumors several times. Previously, according to a report from NBA's Chris Haynes, he believed Hawks guard Dejounte Murray would be traded. He once revealed: "I'm sure Dejounte Murray will be traded before the deadline, and that's my feeling, the Lakers, 76ers and many other teams have expressed interest in him. So far this season, Dejounte Murray has played in 31 games, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 34.4 minutes per game.
Murray was named to the All-Star team and is very well-rounded. Murray once scored 32 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and 4 steals in the game on February 12, 2022, making him his 11th triple-double that season, continuing to set a new record for triple-doubles in a single season in team history, and surpassing David Robinson to occupy the first place in the Spurs' all-time triple-double list. Murray will be available to be traded tomorrow, which will keep a large number of teams on the move. In addition to the Lakers and 76ers, teams like the Rockets, which are rebuilding well, will also express strong interest.
The Hawks want to trade Murray, which is actually a very difficult thing to understand. They are not in the rebuilding phase right now, and they are not in a position to compete for the championship. Trae Young is clearly not a big enough player to lead a team to a championship, and if the Hawks send Murray away, will they be able to get a better player? However, if the Lakers get Murray by luck, the Lakers will really have a chance to rise again. Murray can bring strong defense, excellent playmaking ability, and excellent athleticism to the Lakers, and will be the best partner for James and Bushy Eyebrows.
Let's see if the Lakers have a chance to get him!