With the 2024 NBA Draft now in the books, the Los Angeles Lakers can turn their attention toward free agency and potential trades, as well as filling out new head coach JJ Redick’s staff.
They have been linked to a number of players on the trade market, particularly star and borderline star guards. Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, Darius Garland and Collin Sexton are some of the big rumored targets they could go after in the days and weeks to come.
But another one of those targets is now off the board. On Friday, the Atlanta Hawks traded Dejounte Murray, another potential Los Angeles target, to the New Orleans Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels and two first-round draft picks.
New Orleans has landed Dejounte Murray to anchor the Pelicans backcourt pic.twitter.com/NzLStHAU6Z
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
Murray may not have been the ideal backcourt upgrade for L.A., but he is a speedy combo guard who can score and facilitate, and he has been a stellar defender in the recent past.
If the Pelicans find a way to keep stud forward Brandon Ingram, they could end up becoming a rising team in the Western Conference next season. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ trade options have become more limited.
