Lakers Rumors: Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young Trades Discussed by LA amid Murray Buzz

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly had internal discussions about making a play for a legitimate superstar down the line.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers have talked about potentially packaging three draft picks as well as players in exchange for an All-Star such as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell or Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.

They'd have to wait until June's NBA draft for such a scenario, though, as that's when they'll have three first-rounders available for trade.

As for this season, the Lakers have been most frequently liked to Young's backcourt running mate, Dejounte Murray, in recent days.

The team entered the 2023-24 season with high expectations after reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, but it is only in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 22-22 record.

There has been no clear indication that the Cavs or Hawks intend to trade their star players, and recent reports suggest they don't want to.

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic reported last week that the Cavaliers are "planning to ride out this season" with Mitchell, while ESPN's Zach Lowe reported last week that the Hawks view trading Young as "unpalatable."

The Cavs traded a bevy of draft picks and players to the Utah Jazz for Mitchell before last season, and he is under contract through at least the 2024-25 campaign.

Mitchell, 27, is a four-time All-Star who averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game during his first year in Cleveland and is averaging 27.8 points, 6.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game this season.

At 26-15, the Cavs are fourth in the Eastern Conference and look like bona fide contenders, so it seems unlikely they would trade Mitchell during the season.

A Mitchell trade could be viable in the offseason if he declines to sign a contract extension, however.

The 25-year-old Young is a two-time All-Star who is enjoying another strong year, averaging 26.9 points, 10.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, that hasn't translated into much team success, as they are 10th in the Eastern Conference at 18-25.

Young is signed through at least 2025-26, so he has more term than Mitchell, and that might net them more in a trade.

Also, the Hawks seem more likely to make a big trade than the Cavs since Cleveland is in contention, whereas Atlanta could opt to rebuild at any time.

Either Mitchell or Young would be huge additions for the Lakers since they would represent a third star alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and also give head coach Darvin Ham another ball-handler to take some pressure off James.

If the Lakers somehow manage to pull off a trade for either player, they would likely have to deplete their depth by including the likes of Austin Reaves and possibly others in the deal.

The Lakers are in win-now mode, though, and it may be worth the risk of having no depth to go all-in on chasing a championship while they still have LeBron and AD playing at a high level.