With the Los Angeles Lakers holding a mediocre 16-15 record just days from the start of 2024, many fans are hoping for a trade that will supply the team with a missing piece or two.
So far this season, much of the trade talk surrounding the Lakers has involved Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. However, his fit would be questionable, and he has a giant contract that would complicate pulling off a trade for him.
But with the Atlanta Hawks struggling at five games below .500, there could be a better trade target for Los Angeles.
Insider Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that Hawks guard Dejounte Murray could be a player the Lakers try to trade for (h/t Lakers Daily).
"One more player to keep an eye on I'm told, a potential target for the Lakers, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray."@ShamsCharania on potential trade targets for the Lakers.
📺: https://t.co/wdT8I0ST8g pic.twitter.com/xtY6gCF2FO
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 26, 2023
Murray, a 6-foot-5 27 year old, is averaging 20.3 points and 5.4 assists a game this season. He has improved his 3-point shooting, and he is shooting 38.2% on 6.1 3-point attempts a game so far this year.
What makes him intriguing is his defensive prowess. He’s averaging 1.6 steals per contest and was named to the All-Defensive second team for the 2017-18 season. The Lakers could use more perimeter defense, and Murray could be the man to provide it while also giving them what they need from a ball-handling guard on offense.
Since February, their main ball-handler and facilitator other than LeBron James has been D’Angelo Russell. But Russell has struggled mightily with his shooting for most of December, and his defense is rather lackluster.
As Charania pointed out, Murray is under contract through the 2027-28 campaign, but he will make just $18.2 million this season, which would make a potential trade for him less complicated than one for LaVine.
