Insider: Zach LaVine Is Not the Only “Reasonable” Star Trade Target for the Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in trading for a less expensive player than Zach LaVine, the two-time All-Star for the Chicago Bulls, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“The Lakers front office has demonstrated that they will carry out their research. We’ve been discussing Zach LaVine as a player they may show interest in for weeks now. Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is another player to watch out for, according to sources, as a possible Lakers target, Charania stated on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” program.
Similar to LaVine, Murray is represented by influential agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, a business associate and childhood friend of LeBron James. However, Murray’s contract is far less expensive than LaVine’s, who is in the second year of a $215 million, five-year maximum deal. A four-year, $120 million contract extension for Murray, 27, will begin play in the upcoming season.
“So that makes sense when you consider what a fair salary should be when you already have LeBron James and Anthony Davis signed on,” Charania remarked.
Murray’s price might go up slightly, though, if the Hawks were looking to make back their investment. Two summers ago, they acquired Murray from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for three first-round picks and a pick swap.
In the event of an in-season trade, the Lakers can only offer one first-round pick. They could, however, wait to have three tradable first-round picks until after the following NBA Draft. However, if the Hawks release Murray before the trade deadline of February 8, they might be competing against the clock.
According to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype, the New York Knicks have already shown an exploratory interest in Murray.
In any possible in-season star trade for the Lakers, Charania stated that teams would want their one and only draft capital in addition to Austin Reaves and Max Christie.
For the Hawks this season, the 6-foot-5 Murray is averaging 20.3 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while making a solid 38.2% of his 3-pointers on a strong 6.1 attempts per game. Compared to LaVine, he is a far better projected defender.
The Boston Celtics, a bitter rival, and the Lakers’ star player Anthony Davis have their Christmas Day matchup marked on their calendar.
In their first home game following a three-game road trip, the Celtics defeated him and the Lakers 126-115, despite his 40 points. Not a single other Lakers player scored more than 20 points.
Two nights after going off for a season-high forty points in Oklahoma City, LeBron James only managed 16 points on 5 of 14 shooting against Taurean Prince’s 17. In their revised starting five, Cam Reddish and Jarred Vanderbilt combined for just 11 points on 4 of 7 shooting.
At least 18 points were scored by each of the five starting Celtics players, with Kristaps Porzingis scoring 28 and Jayson Tatum scoring 25, respectively.
Lakers point guard Gabe Vincent may miss six to eight weeks of work due to arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee as soon as Tuesday, December 26, according to Charania.
Following his signing of a three-year, $33 million contract this past offseason, Vincent has only made five appearances for the Lakers this season.
The most important thing is to ensure that he is healthy, as that is the most important thing, Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated on December 23 on Spectrum SportsNet. “After that, you simply attempt to initiate Plan B, or the next man up, as it were.
“Knowing what’s going on with him and getting him in a position where he can get healthy is our first priority.”
James would start at point guard in place of the unproductive D’Angelo Russell, according to their backup plan.
James had a fantastic first game as the starting point guard for the Lakers in a decisive victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, on Christmas Day, the 38-year-old superstar was unable to maintain his level of play against the Celtics.
