Bringing you the latest NBA trade rumors and buzz, including reporting on the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Sixers.
Another Lakers Trade Target?
Rumors are swirling yet again about the Lakers making trades and Dejounte Murray is the latest player reportedly in the mix for Los Angeles.
The Murray-Trae Young pairing has had its critics ever since the Hawks traded for the former Spurs guard. With Atlanta struggling this season, Murray has been deemed a potential target for the Lakers by NBA insider Shams Charania.
"One more player to keep an eye on I'm told, a potential target for the Lakers, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray."@ShamsCharania on potential trade targets for the Lakers.
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— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 26, 2023
D’Angelo Russell is the player who has garnered the most trade chatter concerning a Lakers trade, yet pairing D-Lo with Young brings Atlanta similar issues to what they already have with Murray.
It would be difficult to envision the two sides finding common ground on a deal given the difference in value between Russell and Murray as well as Los Angeles’ inability to insert multiple first-round picks in any trade.
While it may not be Atlanta, Russell appears to be the Lakers player who is most likely to be traded.
For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Bobby Marks deemed Russell as a player with “trade value” in the Lakers’ section of his trade deadline preview piece.
Russell has been linked to the Bulls in Zach LaVine rumors among others. Dallas is another possible destination if the Kyrie Irving-to-L.A. rumors pop up again.
Cavaliers Trade Deadline Questions
Donovan Mitchell trade rumors have been percolating for quite some time and the shooting guard was chief among topics that Bobby Marks listed as front-office discussions in his trade deadline preview.
Front office discussions: When do the Cavs start considering the future of Donovan Mitchell if the play on the court continues as a .500 team? Mitchell could be a free agent in 2025 if he does not sign an extension in the offseason. Does the Cavaliers’ front office have the authority to go into the luxury tax? Cleveland is $752K below the luxury tax and has an open roster spot. Given his personal situation, what is Ricky Rubio‘s current value on the market? Is there a defensive-minded lead guard on the market who would fit well as a reserve and can create easier shots for teammates? Does the final roster spot go to two-way player Craig Porter Jr. after the trade deadline?
The jury is still out on the Mitchell-Darius Garland pairing and it’s fair to wonder whether the Cavaliers believe in it long-term. Garland is under contract through 2028 while Mitchell can hit free agency in the 2025 offseason.
Latest Sixers Trade Rumors
When Philadelphia traded James Harden, there was a narrative that the team would be looking to utilize the assets acquired to make an additional trade for another star.
That pursuit still exists, however, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski the team could be leaning toward waiting until the offseason to make any substantial moves.
Woj cites the Sixers’ ability to keep up with Boston and Milwaukee with the core that is currently constructed as a reason why the front office might hold off on making a major change.
Team president Daryl Morey is unlikely to pass the trade deadline without making any trades, so it sounds as if the Sixers have the potential to make smaller deals that may further optimize the team’s ceiling this year.
