The Los Angeles Lakers figure to be one of the more active teams in the league ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
Thus far, the front office has been linked to a Buddy Hield trade, two potential blockbusters and a swap with the Memphis Grizzlies.
That being said – two players have been mentioned in relation to a potential L.A. deal more than any others: Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.
As noted by NBA insider Matt Moore, the Lakers have a clear preference between Murray and LaVine.
“Murray is a Klutch client, so no surprise there’s interest here,” he wrote. “But while there was a flurry of discussion about Zach LaVine (also Klutch) a month ago, it’s become clear that Murray is the compromise Klutch and the Lakers’ front office can reach.
“The Lakers’ front office has leaked that they want a two-way player, which Murray is, and LaVine is not.”
Moore didn’t stop there, though.
“Murray is an upgrade in playmaking and defense over D’Angelo Russell, who would be included in any deal,” he continued.
“The Hawks, three different league sources asserted this week, would be open to a Lakers deal if it includes Austin Reaves. Reaves has played better individually as of late, but the Lakers are seven points worse per 100 possessions with Reaves on the floor vs. on the bench, the second-worst mark of any rotation player behind the now-benched Jaxson Hayes.”
While Murray makes a ton of sense for Los Angeles, there is no guarantee that Rob Pelinka and Co. can get him. At least one other team has very serious interest in adding him.
Likewise, two other organizations are actively looking to steal LaVine from the Lakers, too.
L.A., for what it’s worth, is also kicking the tires on some other deals in case neither Murray and LaVine are in the cards. Those potential moves include being one of two squads in the hunt for Bojan Bogdanovic, acquiring one of three big name point guards and a possible deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
Stephen Curry Urges Warriors To Make Big Trade: https://t.co/2IrVSckUim
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 11, 2024
One way or another, the next month figures to be hectic.
The Lakers are all but a lock to do something ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. What will that something be? Time will tell.
Related: Stephen Curry Urges Warriors To Make Big Trade
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
