It is rumored that any trade initiated by the Los Angeles Lakers will come to pass in late January or early February. Until then, the speculation and hypotheticals will continue to rage through the NBA and its fellow media compatriots. A handful of stars and role players have been attached to the Lakers in recent weeks. With the team needing an upgrade at point guard, there is one player out there who has been made available by his team, and it’s one that the Lakers have considered in the past.
Lakers Should Revisit Familiar Trade Target in New Orleans
Dejounte Murray Should Be in the Lakers Trade Crosshairs Again
The New Orleans Pelicans started the season with almost their entire roster on ice. Now, they have made several key players available for trade considerations. One of those is Dejounte Murray, and to get straight to the point, this is a trade the Lakers should genuinely consider.
Murray was linked to the Lakers going back to last year as the trade deadline approached. At the time, Murray was with the Atlanta Hawks. While there were reportedly conversations back and forth between the two organizations, nothing came about. The Hawks wanted Austin Reaves in return, to which the Lakers shook hands and exited stage left. Several months later, here we are again, approaching the trade deadline, and the Lakers need to shift their roster. Murray, now a Pelican in New Orleans, is said to be available, along with the rest of the team, minus Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka may have another shot here to go after Murray and land him to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It’s been reported out of LA that the Lakers are searching for solid depth pieces rather than high-profile stars, the likes of which Murray certainly is. Let’s be real, though: if the Lakers have a package that could net Murray in return, they have to pull the trigger this time, yes? He has the makings of the perfect point guard for LeBron and AD.
Dejounte Can Score, but He Can Also Defend
Defense is extinct within the Lakers lineup at the moment. It just so happened that Murray has what they desperately need: strong defensive abilities. Offensively, he’s a significant boost to a Lakers team that struggles with shooting consistency. This is the case, especially with their current guards: D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, and Reaves. Russell can’t be counted on a night-to-night basis. Vincent is in the lineup, but you don’t notice that much. As for Reaves, he’s the most consistent of the three, but he doesn’t carry the gene of winning games if LeBron or Davis are either out or struggling.
Murray is more offensively gifted but also brings intensity as a defender and can guard on the perimeter. The perimeter is one of the Lakers biggest cruxes—they cannot defend it. Murray carries a presence on the defensive end that the Lakers guards lack. On the other end of the court, Murray is fully capable of creating his own offense and initiating it for others. A player with that skill set would make things easier for LeBron when he’s looking to score for himself. Murray is not only the perfect guard for the Lakers but also the perfect two-way threat.
A Trade to Change their Season
Trading for Murray would give the Lakers a jolt of production on both court ends. It would also give JJ Redick a reliable scoring threat outside of LeBron and AD. The question is, what would the Pelicans ask for in return? Who would the Lakers be willing to give up? Regardless, last year’s attempt for Murray fell through. It might be the right time to try again.
