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The Los Angeles Lakers explored a Murray trade before the deadline, but as D’Angelo Russell’s performance improved (and Murray’s), neither team could agree on player valuations.
Young brings more star power in name, though many in NBA circles prefer Murray as a player. Both are with Klutch Sports, the agency representing LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
If the Hawks decide Young is the guard to move, the Lakers are believed to be one of the teams with serious interest. Whether he’s the right fit is debatable (he doesn’t play well off the ball, and LeBron James usually has it in his hands to end games), but the Lakers have been known to chase players that may or may not fit (Russell Westbrook).
A deal would have to wait until July as Los Angeles currently has a hard cap at the first apron ($172.3 million) that expires after June. It can offer up to three first-round and up to five second-round picks for Young. Along with firsts in 2029 and 2031, the Lakers could send either 2024 or 2025 (the New Orleans Pelicans have the right to either, making that decision after the lottery but before the draft). If 2024, L.A. would execute the pick in June on behalf of Atlanta, in conjunction with a pre-arranged trade.
The Lakers must send at least $43 million in outgoing salary to avoid a 2024-25 hard cap at the first apron (projected to be $178.7 million). If they’re willing to be hard-capped, that outgoing amount can dip to $34.2 million, but that might be impractical if James returns in the $50 million range.
Russell ($18.7 million), who plays the same position as Young, would seem to be the apparent outgoing player in any deal (perhaps to a third team if necessary), provided he opts into the final year of his contract. Getting to Young’s salary is more of a challenge without Russell. Others who might be needed (to get to $43 million) include Rui Hachimura ($17 million), Austin Reaves ($13 million), Gabe Vincent ($11 million) and Jarred Vanderbilt ($10.7 million).
The NBA’s new collective bargaining also generally eliminated teams’ ability to throw in more than one minimum contract for salary-matching purposes during the offseason. The only other player with a non-minimum contract is Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3.9 million). The remaining players are on minimum deals, including Maxwell Lewis ($1.9 million), Christian Wood ($3 million), Jaxson Hayes ($2.5 million) and Cam Reddish ($2.5 million)—the final three have player options.
Just James (at the max near $50 million), Davis and Young would total almost $136 million. Depending on how much salary and talent L.A. gives up to get Young, fleshing out the rest of the team may be a challenge.
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