The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Atlanta Hawks, 138-122, on Tuesday, giving them their second defeat in as many nights. They are 24-25 and time is running out for them to make any kind of substantial run ahead of the playoffs.
At this rate, the Lakers may not even make the playoffs or even the play-in tournament. For some reason, they keep playing down to the level of their competition when they face a team that is seemingly inferior on paper.
Tuesday’s game also gave the Lakers an up-close-and-personal look at former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, their biggest trade target. Murray shot 11-of-19, giving him more made baskets than anyone else in the game, and he scored 24 points to go along with nine assists.
The Lakers and Hawks have talked about a potential Murray deal, and reportedly, a third team will need to get involved to receive D’Angelo Russell from the Lakers.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a four-team mock trade involving the Hawks, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards that would net L.A. Murray, as well as another player who could help it right away.