Lakers have also re-opened talks with an All Star
DONOVAN Mitchell is being lined up by the Los Angeles Lakers, according to an NBA insider.
The franchise is believed to be desperate to add a third star after a disappointing postseason.
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Rob Pelinka is keen to add a third starCredit: Getty
And Brian Windhorst says LA and the Brooklyn Nets are in the race for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mitchell.
“I’m trying to walk the line, because I don’t want anybody to freak out in my hometown of Cleveland, but there a number of teams that have their offers ready. They’re ready,” he told ESPN’s Get Up.
Mitchell missed the Cavaliers’ loss to the Bolton Celtics that knocked them out of the Eastern Conference Playoffs yesterday.
Prior to suffering a calf strain in Game 4, Mitchell was putting up 29.6 points per contest.
Mitchell has one more season remaining on his $163 million contract at a cap hit of $35.4 million, with a player option for $37 million through the 2025-26 season, per Spotrac.
Los Angeles’ hunt for a complementary piece to LeBron James and Anthony Davis has also seen them take another swing at a blockbuster trade for Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Dejounte Murray.
Advanced talks were said to have been held with the Hawks before the February trade deadline last season.
The deal reportedly fell through because Los Angeles was not willing to send Austin Reaves to Atlanta.
“They made a push for Dejounte once, they will make a push for him again,” an Eastern Conference general manager told the outlet.
“He can create, he is a good passer and he can play really good defense.
“It looked like they were going to do the deal [in February] but the Hawks backed off.
“A lot of times, the stuff you work on in February, you bring it back up at the draft, and that’s probably where this is headed.”
Trae Young is another Hawks star considered to be a trade target for general manager Rob Pelinka.
But reports have suggested that he learned a lesson with the Russell Westbrook situation and will focus on fit.
“Whatever the Lakers do, they’re going to put a lot of emphasis on fit,” the exec added.
“Say what you will about their roster, but [general manager] Rob Pelinka really did try to get pieces that work together and not just bring in the names.
“If you want to bring in a star, then, OK, but he has to be willing to be a third option and he has to defend.
“That’s Dejounte Murray, it’s not Trae.”
LA has the No. 17 pick in June’s draft which could be a useful piece in any talks.
