Report: Lakers Could Pursue Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Trae Young, Dejounte Murray This Offseason

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers could pursue Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray this offseason. 

“Young is one of many names that’ll be discussed internally by the Lakers over the coming weeks, a list that includes Mitchell, Garland and Murray — the third of which the Lakers pursued ahead of the 2024 trade deadline,” Buha wrote. “Each situation will come down to the asking price and opportunity cost. Even so, the Lakers’ best offer could be outbid by teams like Houston, Miami, Philadelphia and Brooklyn, depending on their respective appetites to chase available stars.”

The Atlanta Hawks are expected to trade Young or Murray this offseason. Young used to be with Klutch Sports Group, the agency LeBron James and Anthony Davis are with. He recently switched to CAA. 

Murray, who has a close relationship with LeBron, has the same agent (Rich Paul) as LeBron and Davis. 

If Mitchell signs an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason, Garland could request a trade. Paul represents Garland. 

“Roughly a few weeks out from free agency, it’s still unclear which stars will be available on the trade market, according to league sources,” Buha wrote. “Cleveland and Atlanta are reportedly likely to split up their respective backcourts. The Cavaliers are trying to get Mitchell to sign an extension, which would rule him out from being traded this summer, according to The Athletic. But until there is more clarity on which player (or players) will be available, the Lakers, like other potential suitors, can only theorize the nature of their offers.”

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games. Darvin Ham was fired as head coach and it’s widely believed that Los Angeles will hire former NBA guard and current ESPN commentator JJ Redick as its new coach. 

Per Buha, the Lakers are expected to be aggressive on the trade market.

“The Lakers are expected to be aggressive on the trade market, as The Athletic previously reported,” Buha wrote. “Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka hinted at the 2024 trade deadline that part of the calculus for not making a deal then was the moves the organization could make around the draft that begins June 26, when they will have access to trade three of their first-round picks (2024 or 2025, 2029 and 2031).”