According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray and Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown are at the “forefront” of the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade targets.
The Lakers are seriously interested in acquiring Murray and/or Brown.
Murray, who has the same agent as Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, is averaging 21.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 47.1% from the floor, 39.0% from 3 and 83.2% from the free-throw line. The one-time All-Star is making $17.7 million.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, Brown is averaging 11.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 48.1% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 82.1% from the foul line. The NBA champion was very close to signing with the Lakers last summer before ultimately signing with the Indiana Pacers. He’s making $22 million this season and has a club option worth $23 million for next season.
The Lakers are 22-23 on the season. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. LAL is expected to make moves before the trade deadline since they haven’t looked like a championship contender following their In-Season Tournament championship title in Las Vegas.
The Lakers are 17th in the NBA in points per game (114.8) and 17th in points per game allowed (115.8). Both Murray and Brown are excellent two-way players, which is why LAL is interested in them.
Murray has career averages of 14.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the San Antonio Spurs and Hawks. He made the 2017-18 All-Defensive Second Team and won the 2021-22 steals title.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Brown, meanwhile, has career averages of 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Pacers and Raptors. He helped the Nuggets win the 2023 NBA title.
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