As we draw closer to the February 9 NBA trade deadline (all times AEDT), the rumour mill continues to heat up.
The Lakers are expected to make a move in a bid to make them contenders in the West, with the franchise reportedly targeting a point guard.
In the latest on LA’s plans, reporter Shams Charania revealed on Fan Duel TV the team is “doing their due diligence” in scouring the trade market, with Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown, Tyus Jones and Terry Rozier “all names to keep an eye on.”
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Charania said the Hawks and Lakers recently discussed a trade involving Murray and D’Angelo Russell, however talks broke down after Atlanta wanted to find a third team for Russell instead of acquiring him.
“The Lakers and Hawks did have some pretty extensive conversations about a Dejounte Murray trade a couple ago. It was centered around D’Angelo Russell, a 2029 first-round pick and a pick swap, I’m told,” Charania said.
“The hold up was the Hawks wanted to find a third team for D’Angelo Russell – he’s got a player option for next season and they want to find a spot where they might be able to get an expiring contract back.
“I would expect the sides to circle back as we get closer to the trade deadline.”
Russel though, has produced his best form of the season in recent times – he’s averaged 23.7 points on 54 per cent shooting, 3.9 triples and 6.1 assists over the past week.
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NBA insider Marc Stein noted the Lakers have held the most meaningful talks with Atlanta for Murray so far, but have made Austin Reaves unavailable in such dialogue.
Multiple other teams are circling Murray including San Antonio, Philadelphia, Golden State, Milwaukee, Brooklyn and New York.
The Bucks’ first emerged as a surprise contender last week, as reported by Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, a link confirmed by Stein.
It comes amid Milwaukee’s defensive woes in a telling sign that, despite it sitting second in the East, sees a bigger gap between itself and Boston.
Stein highlighted that it’d be tricky for the Bucks to pull off any move for Murray without at least including Bobby Portis in a deal to make the salaries match.
The Hawks are believed to be wanting at least two future first-round picks in any Murray trade.
WIZARDS WANTS TWO FIRST-ROUNDERS KUZMA AS RIVALS CIRCLE
The Wizards have reportedly put a huge asking price on Kyle Kuzma.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Washington, who’s considered potential sellers at the deadline, want two first-round picks back in a trade for the 28-year old forward.
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The Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings are two sides considered suitors for the former Lakers 2020 championship player.
Stein noted the Wizards never got a true first-round pick back in either deal for Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis – and instead several second-rounders and fist-round pick swaps – so it doesn’t want that to happen again.
HEAT EXPLORING LOWRY DEALS
The Miami Heat are reportedly looking to part ways with veteran point guard Kyle Lowry.
On an expiring $29 million contract that could appeal to other teams, Lowry, who’s previously been linked to trade talk, has seen his play decline this season at age 37.
Multiple reports state the Heat have discussed Lowry in deals, with The South Florida Sun Sentinel revealing his time with Miami “appears to be” nearing its end and that he could even be moved as “early as this week.”
Lowry, who started in his first 35 games this season, has averaged 8.2 points per game, 3.5 rebounds and four assists.
“We are not where we want to be,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, per Miami reporter Anthony Chiang.
“That’s not an indictment on one player. Kyle has been great as a starter and really impactful last year off the bench. So this really isn’t about him. This is about us trying to get to a higher level on both ends of the court, but also offensively.
“Combinations do matter, rotations do matter, line-ups that bring out the best in each other do matter. And I’m still in the process of trying to help the team figure that out.”
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