Lakers Rumors: Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown at 'Forefront' of LA's Trade Targets

Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray and Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown remain at the "forefront of their targets list" for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Charania reported Wednesday on FanDuel TV's Run It Back the Lakers continue to track the pair ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline:

The Athletic's Sam Amick reported Tuesday the rumors linking Murray with Los Angeles have "very real legs" and that "it feels like the Lakers have separated themselves from the Dejounte pack."

Dave McMenamin of ESPN outlined multiple scenarios for the Lakers surrounding the trade deadline. He reported Murray "remains in the conversation" as a potential addition right now, while L.A. has maintained interest in Brown since aiming to sign him with the mid-level exception in the offseason.

McMenamin also explained why general manager Rob Pelinka is incentivized to wait until the offseason despite the Lakers sitting ninth in the Western Conference and clearly in need of reinforcements.

By the time the 2024 NBA draft rolls around, the franchise will be able to trade three future first-round picks. Those picks could be packaged to help land a much bigger fish than Murray or Brown, with McMenamin listing off the Hawks' Trae Young and Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell as two such players.

The temptation for something more immediate might be too big to ignore.

Missing the playoffs for the second time in three years would be a pretty dispiriting outcome to the year, especially when LeBron James and Anthony Davis have stayed healthy and performed at such a high level.

Neither Murray nor Brown is probably enough on his own to make Los Angeles meaningfully better in the NBA title race, but either undoubtedly aids in a postseason push.