THE The Los Angeles Lakers have been eliminated on a long list of veteran targets this offseason. One of the most important was shooting guard Dejounte Murray, who was traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the New Orleans Pelicans.

There was a major obstacle that prevented the Lakers to bring in the 27-year-old, via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

“The Hawks went down that road last year with the Lakers. There was a period of time where there was a lot of momentum, at least on the Lakers’ side, where they thought they had a great chance to get Dejounte Murray,” Windhorst said. “Ultimately, D’Angelo Russell was in that deal, and I don’t know if they were going to have a third team or anything, but the Hawks weren’t in on that.”

Atlanta thought Murray, who scored 22.5 points on 45.9 percent shooting with 5.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game last year, demanded a top-tier return in a trade. It ended with Dyson Daniels, Cody Zeller, Larry Nance, EJ Liddell and two first-round picks from New Orleans. Daniels, a 21-year-old guard from Australia, was selected eighth overall by the Pelicans in 2022.

Russell, however, is not at Murray’s level, and Los Angeles didn’t have the same level of draft capital and depth to offer as New Orleans. “DLo” scored 18 points on 45.6 percent shooting with 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 rebounds per game last year.

Although the trade was generally considered fair around the league, it received some votes because The worst and most surprising movements offseason by a panel of 18 NBA coaches, scouts and executives, via ESPN.

However, the Lakers and Hawks could still reach a deal.

Lakers could be a destination for D’Andre Hunter

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Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig (13) defends Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) during the second half of a 2024 NBA Playoffs playoff game at United Center.
© David Banks-Imagn Images

Los Angeles could be a good destination for Hunter, according to ESPN’s Tim McMahon (same Hoops Collective podcast).

“The Hawks are looking to offload De’Andre Hunter, who is expected to make around $22 million. [million] this year, 23 [million] next year and 25 [million] “The year after,” MacMahon said. “It’s not a good contract. Is it worth a team like the Lakers taking that contract?”

Hunter, who averaged 15.6 points on 45.9 percent shooting, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last year, could provide some extra punch to the Lakers’ offense. However, Los Angeles will have to make sure his high price tag fits within its salary cap space.

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