The 2024 NBA Draft is now underway, and the question surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers is whether they will make some sort of significant move, whether it comes today or within a few more days.
Plenty of star and near-star players have been linked to the Lakers, and one of them is Dejounte Murray. They made a real effort to land Murray via trade prior to February’s trade deadline, but talks with the Atlanta Hawks eventually died out.
It is believed one reason those talks were fruitless was because of L.A.’s unwillingness to include guard Austin Reaves in a potential deal. Reportedly, nothing has changed in that regard.
Via The Athletic:
“Murray, meanwhile, was a player that the Lakers could have had at the February trade deadline if they’d been willing to put Reaves into the deal,” wrote Sam Amick. “He’s a possibility now, as well, but league sources say the Lakers’ stance on Reaves remains the same.”
Murray could be the backcourt upgrade the Lakers need without costing them an arm and a leg. He had a terrific 2023-24 season, averaging a career-high 22.5 points, as well as 5.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists a game. He also improved his outside shooting and made 36.3% of his attempts from 3-point range this year.
The 27-year-old was an All-Star during the 2021-22 season. While Reaves is certainly a good player, he likely won’t ever make an All-Star team, and the Lakers shouldn’t overvalue him on the trade market.
