The Los Angeles Lakers front office has been looking all across the league to see where they can get help before the NBA trade deadline next week. They know that the Lakers are a few pieces away from being a real contender for the title, so they are trying their best to piece things together.
The name that has come up most often in association with the Lakers is All-Star guard Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks. He would satisfy the need for a more defensive attack at the guard position, and he can create his shot on offense.
There have been conflicting reports regarding a deal for Murray, but one NBA insider believes that a deal will ultimately happen between the teams.
The Athletic's Sam Amick said that he believes that there is a "sense of inevitability” that Los Angeles trades for Murray at some point before the trade deadline. He has been heavily linked with the Lakers for weeks now, and the hope is that a deal gets done soon.
If the Lakers are able to land Murray, it would be a huge win for the team. Not only would he help them for this season, but he is on the books through the 2028 season.
The Lakers would have a young, All-Star-level guard for years, and he is on a reasonable contract. The most money he is owed in a year is $30 million, which would come in a player option in the 2027-2028 season.
This is a move that the Lakers need to make happen. If the pairing with Murray doesn't work out, the team can flip him down the line for most assets or to get another star in a trade package.
The front office needs to do whatever they can to land Murray at the trade deadline this year.
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