The Dejounte Murray Quest, Part 2

Last season, The The Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks are pretty close to agree on a trade that would send Dejounte Murray Until LA, a year and a trade later, Murray remains a solid fit for a Lakers franchise looking for athleticism, youthfulness and defensive toughness at the rim. The question is once again: Will Rob Pelinka move the necessary draft capital with Austin, still off the table?

In this last entry in our Lakers trade targets Series, let’s look at a player Los Angeles definitely loves and would absolutely help in terms of talent and fit, but whose availability on the trade market is incredibly difficult to figure out.

Professionals

Before The Lakers traded D’Angelo RussellThey had enough offensive firepower to stay with most teams, but the powerhouse struggled to be stopped. Now, with Dorian Finney-Smith on the roster, they could get stops more often, but the offense (especially when iri LeBron James – let alone both of them – are excluded from the court) took a few steps back.

Murray could start, he exclaims as a two-voice rim that is in the approach of interior affairs like James and Anthony Davis in the starting group (rounding out Finney-Smith in this case). Then, when Max Christie steps in as the first sub, the performances could go to the bench to prepare for anchor units with fewer starters.

Murray is one of the few primary ball handlers strong enough to also act as a primary defender on offense, something desperate doctors desperately miss in Russell. At 6’5″ with a 6’10” Vingesan, Murray could guard either the point or shooting guard. Murray’s defense in addition to Retiva (who is fine as a secondary perimeter defender), plus Finney-Smith, would also mitigate the colossal effort Davis issues Night in Night in Night.

Then, in situations that call for more defense, the Lakers could even go to Murray, Christie, Jarred Vanderbilt, Finney-Smith and Davis. This is simply not an option for the coach for the Lakers, as Frank Vogel had a collection of demons that won the championship in 2019-20.

Murray is also young enough (28) to fit Davis’ timeline after James steps down. Of the players there even the distance available, Murray probably checks the most boxes based on what the Lakers need right now.

Disadvantages

In terms of basketball, there really aren’t many.

Murray’s three-point shooting has dropped significantly compared to last, but honestly, it’s basically impossible to hold anything against anyone playing for the New Orleans Pelicans this campaign. They’ve had so many injuries and so much turmoil that I really don’t know how to analyze anyone. More on this in a bit.

If his shooting doesn’t improve, that would obviously be a question, but I think he’s somewhere between 30.2% this year and 36% he shot last season. He is a career 34% three-point shooter. It will be good, even given the scars Lakers fans are carrying with shooters who forgot to shoot when they arrived in Los Angeles.

Murray’s defense has slipped a bit over the last few years, but again, a lot can be chalked up to situation. Gotta play next to Trae young defensively on the rim looks like a nightmare. And again, New Orleans is such a disaster this year that there’s no way to do anything to them.

Cost

Here’s where things get tricky. And before getting to what the Lakers would have to send to the Pelicans of all teams, remember, things weren’t exactly smooth sailing between the two franchises during the infamous choke hold negotiations. On top of that, league sources aren’t necessarily sure to what extent New Orleans is ready to shake off what has been one of the more exciting rosters in the NBA due to a nightmare season of injuries.

Before the season, the Pelicans sent Deson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. And two first bumps (plus other contracts) for Murray. Curmudgeon season aside, turning right and being traded to the same bridal organization that was heavily traded for your franchise review player is a tough look.

It’s for those reasons, Murray will cost a first-round pick, and the Lakers can trade very little (if any) protection, plus Rui Hachimura, GABE Vincent and Dalton Knecht — who sources say they still have despite shooting woes over the past couple of years. months.

Probability

Based on current intel, it’s pretty unlikely Roba Pelinka will use the first rounders available this season. Word to the effect has slowly made its way around the league after he didn’t pass the first round to Russell’s expiring contract to land a higher hitter than Finney-Smith. It is probable, therefore, that we have recently received the first report of it Concerns from James and Davis.

Pelinka and the rest of the organization were thrilled when Knecht felt them at 17 in last year’s draft. Current shooting falls aside, it was one of the few wins the front office has enjoyed in the last couple of years. Putting Knecht at risk, as well as moving the two front-runners they’ve largely kept out of trade talks at that point, seems extremely unlikely.

But hey, if the Lakers stay within striking distance of the opening round until the deadline and Vanderbilt stays long enough that they’ll be comfortable moving Hachimura, maybe they’re in a few weeks of big weeks.