After beating the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors in back-to-back games, the Los Angeles Lakers returned to their recent ineptitude when they were rolled by the Phoenix Suns, 127-109, on Thursday.
Once again, they have fallen under .500, and time isn’t exactly on their side as far as turning things around and giving themselves any shot at title contention.
The Lakers have been rumored to be looking for some type of upgrade on the trade market. They have been linked to guards Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray, both of whom have been All-Stars, but a trade for Murray seems a bit more realistic than one for LaVine.
Reportedly, they may step up their efforts to land the Atlanta Hawks star (h/t Lakers Daily).
Via Bleacher Report:
“With the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaching, the Lakers are seeking speed and quickness in the backcourt, sources say,” NBA insider Chris Haynes wrote.
“The Lakers want to push the pace offensively and someone who can serve as a point-of-attack defender.
“Rival executives believe the Lakers and (Toronto) Raptors, to name a few, will begin progressing to more serious discourse with the Atlanta Hawks pertaining to star guard Dejounte Murray, sources say.”
However, Haynes also threw cold water on the Murray-to-Los Angeles rumors.
“But it remains to be seen if the Lakers have enough attractive assets to entice Atlanta. Atlanta is not operating as if Murray has to be dealt by the deadline. They have made it known in league circles that they’re more than comfortable keeping him in the fold and revisiting his future in the offseason.”
Murray is averaging 21.1 points and 5 assists a game while hitting 39.4% of his 3-point attempts this season. Not only could he be a legitimate third scorer and a speed demon on the fast break for L.A., but he is also known as an excellent defender.
He made the All-Defensive second team during the 2017-18 season, and the 27-year-old has a career average of 1.4 steals a game.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 8 at noon Los Angeles time.