Trade deadline: Los Angeles Lakers will need to include a third team if they want to acquire Dejounte Murray

The Lakers have been swirling around Dejounte Murray for a while now, and there have been talks about exchanging him for D'Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2029 first-round pick. However, The Hawks are looking to make some cap space and, ideally, would avoid taking on additional contracts. This raises the need to involve a third team to facilitate the structure of the trade, as combining Russell with Trae Young would not be the ideal option.

Reporter Michael Scotto has been exploring possible third teams that could absorb D'Angelo Russell's contract. While Charlotte has emerged as an option, the incompatibility with LaMelo Ball raises questions.

Among the possible candidates, the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards stand out as viable options. Nevertheless, uncertainty lingers over where the draft pick would come from, in this complex trade puzzle.

Analyst Jovan Buha highlights the main challenge facing the Lakers in this trade: finding a third team willing to take on Russell's contract.

Teams like Brooklyn, Charlotte, and Washington could be involved, but additional compensation and draft pick's compensation are crucial factors.

LA's priority appears to be Dejounte Murray, but the complexity of the trade could drag on, which might result in missing opportunities to acquire key reinforcements.

The current situation presents a dilemma for the Lakers, as they must balance the urgency of strengthening their roster with the need to locate a suitable third team.

In addition to Murray, other big-name players on the market are out of reach. Rumors of Lauri Markkanen and Donovan Mitchell indicate that the star options available are limited.

With the clock ticking, the Lakers are at a strategic crossroads that will determine their ability to improve before opportunities on the market dry up.