The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring the possibility of expanding a potential Dejounte Murray trade to acquire him at a more affordable price.

The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly looking to offload other big contracts, including Clint Capela and De’Andre Hunter, and Murray’s contract could serve as a valuable trade asset.

According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the Hawks have been actively discussing potential Murray deals, with varying opinions on their progress.

The Hawks are keen to assess the trade value not only for Murray but also for other key players like Hunter and Capela.

The Hawks’ previously sought Immanuel Quickley and a first-round pick in trade talks with the Knicks, which was close to what they gave up to acquire Murray.

Absorbing Hunter’s contract could potentially help the Lakers negotiate a package without parting with Austin Reaves.

As an alternative trade option, NBA insider Bobby Marks suggested that the Lakers could explore trades involving Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, with Reaves potentially being included.

However, the availability of Caruso has not been confirmed by the Bulls.

Furthermore, an NBA executive proposed an expanded trade idea involving Dejounte Murray and sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, which could address the Lakers’ need for perimeter scoring.

This trade would require additional assets, including Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, more draft compensation, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, but the Lakers’ limited draft assets may pose a challenge.

In summary, the Lakers are actively considering various trade scenarios to acquire Dejounte Murray, with the potential involvement of Austin Reaves being a key factor in shaping the trade discussions.