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The Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing one of the NBA’s top trade targets, who could come in to replace LeBron James, who just set a new record.
To many, the Los Angeles Lakers had a disappointing trade deadline, but that’s not for a lack of trying, despite all they had to show by February 5th was a single move that saw the addition of Luke Kennard for Gabe Vincent.
While Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka told a group of reporters a few days ago that the team was aggressive at the deadline and chose not to pursue a few reported top targets, one player in particular the franchise couldn’t make a deal for was Trey Murphy of the New Orleans Pelicans, who they were linked to for a few months leading up to the trade deadline.
Though the price was reportedly too high for the Lakers to pay in the middle of the season, that could change this summer, when the team has a total of three first-round picks to move, and a predicted near $50 million in salary cap space to work with.
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, the Lakers, along with their rival, the Golden State Warriors, will make a pursuit of Murphy this summer, as he could be one of the biggest names on the trade block, should the Pelicans choose to fully rebuild with their two standout rookies.
Lakers Set To Pursue Trey Murphy In A Trade This Offseason
Again, reporting linking the Lakers to Murphy is nothing new, but along with the fact they didn’t have enough assets to trade for him at the deadline, New Orleans also wasn’t ready to move away from their wing star and leading scorer.
Sources: New Orleans Pelicans are disappointing the market in informing teams that Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears will remain with the organization past Feb. 5 trade deadline.
However, that could change this summer, as with the team’s poor record, Murphy could offer a ton more value to title-contending hopefuls rather than the Pelicans. That’s where Sidery’s report comes in.
“After inquiring multiple times before the deadline, the Lakers and Warriors plan to once again pursue Trey Murphy III as a top trade target this summer,” he wrote. “The Pelicans are reluctant to move Murphy without receiving an offer featuring plenty of draft capital and premier prospects.”
After inquiring multiple times before the deadline, the Lakers and Warriors plan to once again pursue Trey Murphy III as a top trade target this summer.
The Pelicans are reluctant to move Murphy without receiving an offer featuring plenty of draft capital and premier prospects.
While the Warriors could be a dangerous threat to also trade for Murphy, the Lakers have more cap space and could likely offer a better, long-term opportunity for the 25-year-old’s success with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, compared to the Bay Area’s aging Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
If he were to join the Lakers, Murphy would come in as a LeBron James replacement, as the league’s all-time leading scorer looks to be leaving Los Angeles after this season. While he wouldn’t offer the same name-recognition, Murphy would be a major step up from James on the defensive end, while offering similar abilities on offense.
In 52 games this season for the Pelicans, Murphy is averaging 22.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals, all of which are career-highs, on 47.6/37.8/89.2 shooting splits.
Along with Murphy, the Lakers are predicted to target Peyton Watson, Walker Kessler, Tari Eason, and a few other restricted free agents or potential trade targets this summer with their expected cap space.
LeBron James Makes History At Age 41
While the Lakers could actively be looking for a James replacement, the 41-year-old is showing why that could be difficult. Though the superstar has yet to make a pubic decision about his future, whether that be with another team or entering retirement, he is making a case for why he can still be productive in the league, despite some of his recent up-and-down performances.
On Thursday night, James finished with 28 points, 12 assists, and ten rebounds in the Lakers’ win over the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double in NBA history.
“I’m more appreciative of moments like this in my career, understanding where I’m at,” he said after the game. “I’m at the later stage of my journey, so definitely taking it in a little bit more.”
James is no longer eligible for end-of-season awards after missing his 18th game of the year earlier in the week, as he’s dealt with several injuries and health concerns since last summer. But after a performance like the one on Thursday night, James reiterated that his game isn’t taking a step back, but rather his body.
“My game is not going anywhere,” he added. “It’s just my body. It’s so many more factors that come with how long will I play the game. I don’t think my game will ever suffer if I decided to continue to go, however long that is. I just think it has to be [my mind]: How long can I stay in love with the process?”
While it is still uncertain what James will do next, signs point to him not being on the Lakers next season, whether he is happy with that or not. Instead, Los Angeles seems to be going all-out to replace him and his contract with another, younger player who can be impactful alongside their new star duo of Doncic and Reaves.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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