Lakers Trade Targets with 2024 NBA Trade Deadline a Month Away
The Los Angeles Lakers aren't particularly close to the NBA championship race at the moment.
A productive trade season could potentially change that, though.
L.A. has a championship foundation in the Anthony Davis-LeBron James duo, so the hardest part of this process is already done. Saying that, this supporting cast is clearly lacking in some areas and must be leveled-up between now and the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
Any of the following three players could move L.A. that much closer to contention.
Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers
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The Lakers have to find more offensive punch if they're going to make a serious run at the NBA throne.
Malcolm Brogdon could provide that on multiple fronts.
The 31-year-old floor general can operate as anything from a primary scorer to a table-setter to a spot-up shooter. That flexibility would go a long way in Hollywood, as Brogdon could help space the floor and find shots for L.A.'s stars while also posing a legitimate scoring threat on his own.
He is a two-way player with plenty of postseason experience. The Lakers could know for certain he'd be an asset in any playoff matchup and wouldn't get schemed off the floor the way D'Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt were during their 2023 playoff run.
Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls
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The Lakers will surely keep a close eye on the Windy City, where the Chicago Bulls' recent success may not preclude some significant selling between now and the deadline.
Despite L.A.'s need for offense, though, net-shredder Zach LaVine may not have the focus of this franchise. Rather, as The Athletic's Jovan Buha relayed in November, the Lakers would prefer to add Alex Caruso or DeMar Derozan instead.
Caruso, a key contributor on L.A.'s 2019-20 title team, has proved he can win at the highest level with the Lakers' stars. He is an elite perimeter defender and a heady offensive player who can help fill in a number of cracks. His offensive contributions can be a bit muted (statistically at least), but he'll help turn gears as a willing passer, timely cutter and capable shooter.
The Bulls might need to cool off a bit to make Caruso available, and they may want a few prime assets if they ever do. If he does hit the market, though, the Lakers will surely give him a lengthy look.
Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
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If the Lakers want to take their biggest swing possible this trade season, Dejounte Murray might be it.
He's on the radar, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, and Murray might be the club's best hope for scratching multiple itches at once.
He is a stingy defender who was an All-Defensive second-teamer back in 2017-18 (his second season in the league). He's also capable of dominating games as a scorer or distributor, as he's on course to average 20-plus points with five-plus assists for the third straight season. He might even address L.A.'s shooting shortage, provided his career-high marks of 2.4 three-point makes on 38.3 percent shooting sustain.
He wouldn't come cheaply, but if the Lakers think he could push them into championship contention, a substantial price tag may not keep them away.
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