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[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers are actively pursuing a trade for Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks, with a focus on structuring the deal to reduce their luxury tax burden. As discussed by Brian Windhorst and Bobby Marks on “The Hoop Collective,” the Lakers are exploring ways to offset salaries in the trade to save nearly $16 million.
Marks explained that the Lakers are slightly above the luxury tax threshold and are a repeater tax team, having been in the tax for four of the past five years. Windhorst pointed out that the Lakers could make a trade that sheds $1.3 million, thereby improving their roster while escaping the luxury tax.
To align financially, the Lakers might need to trade a player like Rui Hachimura, who has a $15.7 million salary, along with Jalen Hood-Schifino and another minimum contract player like Christian Wood. This would allow them to accommodate Murray’s $17.4 million salary for this season.
The Lakers are considering using D’Angelo Russell in the deal, possibly in a guard swap scenario. This could strengthen their guard rotation, especially if they choose to have either Russell or Austin Reaves in a sixth man role alongside Murray.
Windhorst recalled a past instance where the Lakers made a trade primarily for financial savings. However, in this case, they aim to both save money and improve the team. The potential savings could be a deciding factor in including a draft pick in the trade.
This opportunity allows the Lakers to not only improve their roster but also to step out of the repeater tax, balancing team enhancement with financial efficiency.