D’Angelo Russell is too good for a Dejounte Murray swap. The Los Angeles Lakers have been the focus of numerous trade rumors this month, with Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks often taking center stage. While the compatibility of Murray with the Lakers remains uncertain, his on-paper profile marks him a prominent candidate. He is a defensive upgrade and has enough speed and verticality to play downhill – something that the Lakers rely on for their offense. Moreover, since the trade talks, Murray has delivered two game-winners for Atlanta, bolstering his case even further.

In the meantime, D’Angelo Russell was reinstated into the Lakers’ starting lineup. Taking advantage of the role, he is averaging 27.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in his starts. Furthermore, he is also shooting 54.2% from the three. These statistics are not only great, but easily position him alongside Trae Young; who maintains 27 points, 3 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and a 36.2% efficiency from the 3-point range this season. Now, with such standout performances, it appears that discussions between the Lakers and Hawks have hit a roadblock.

Adding to the intrigue, D’Angelo Russell’s co-incidental resurgence aligns with a sudden surge for the Lakers, who have clinched victories in 5 of their last 7 games. Three out of those 5 wins came against top-tier teams in the West: the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers. However, in the dynamic landscape of trade, it may just be a matter of time before negotiations reignite. Moreover, with the trade deadline looming on February 8, both teams face a pressing sense of urgency to solidify their plans.

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Will the Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell?

With D’Angelo Russell’s improved performance, the Lakers are also feeding off of it. With that, the franchise will be hesitant to disrupt the team’s current rhythm. However, considering their track record of flipping the switch on trade deadlines, they might opt for the enhanced defense and speed that Dejounte Murray brings to the table. If so, they’ll need to involve a third team, likely seeking additional assets to sweeten the deal.

Russell’s contract includes a $18.6 million player option for the next season. With that, Atlanta resisted including D’Lo unless a third team could be enlisted to absorb his contract. Initially, the Lakers were open to packaging D’Angelo Russell with a first-round pick in 2029 and a first-round pick swap. This means, that with a third team in the mix, the Lakers might have to give a lot more.

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With the trade deadline approaching, the Lakers have five games on the horizon. In route, they can closely assess Murray’s potential with front-row seats. The game against the Atlanta Hawks at the end of January could prove to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing trade discussions.

How do you think the scenario will play out? Will we see D’Angelo Russell leave the Lakers again? Or will they hold on to their resurgent point guard?