Fresh Trade Ideas from Latest NBA Rumors: Bold Moves for Lakers, Sixers and Others | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Los Angeles Lakers acquire: Dejounte Murray and Dennis Smith Jr.

Atlanta Hawks acquire: Spencer Dinwiddie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-round pick (via LAL), 2024 second-round pick (LAL via LAC), and a 2025 second-round pick (via LAL)

Brooklyn Nets acquire: D'Angelo Russell and Patty Mills

Dejounte Murray may be the best player traded at the deadline, and not only do the Los Angeles Lakers need to make a move for a high-end guard ASAP (see: hourglass emoji), but D'Angelo Russell's new contract was essentially constructed with a trade in mind.

The issue, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, is Atlanta's "clear disinterest in taking back" Russell in a Murray deal. Amick also highlights the Brooklyn Nets as a potential third-team facilitator for a Murray-to-Lakers swap, which gives us more than enough to throw together a trade proposal.

The Lakers get their man in Murray, a two-way combo guard who'd offer more defensive heft than Russell and the security of four additional years under contract after this one. He'd last into a post-LeBron James world with the Lakers, giving the team another fringe All-Star to pair with Anthony Davis or whomever else the next headlining name in L.A. happens to be.

Dennis Smith Jr., a reserve guard averaging 7.3 points per game on a minimum salary, may not seem like much of a throw-in from Brooklyn. But he's among the best defensive guards in the league and could give the Lakers some of the on-ball tenacity Dennis Schroder provided during their 2023 postseason run.

The Hawks don't recoup all the assets they surrendered to get Murray from the San Antonio Spurs prior to last season, but they reel in an unprotected first from the Lakers, a recent first-rounder in Hood-Schifino and two more seconds. Not bad, especially with the salary relief that comes with swapping out Murray for Spencer Dinwiddie's expiring contract.

Brooklyn lands Russell for a second tour, bringing the guard back to the team with whom he was an All-Star in 2018-19. He'd be a significant upgrade over Dinwiddie for a Brooklyn team that badly needs a primary ball-handler. Fellow former Net Patty Mills also returns. His value lies in his expiring deal and veteran leadership, something Brooklyn might need as it navigates a stretch run that could feature a fair amount of losing.