LeBron James Was In Support Of Lakers Trading For Dejounte Murray or Zach LaVine

According to Sam Amick, Anthony Slater and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, LeBron James was in support of the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray or Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine in the weeks and months leading into the NBA trade deadline. 

LeBron, Murray and LaVine have the same agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group. Lakers big man Anthony Davis is represented by Paul as well. 

The Lakers didn’t make any moves at the deadline. Meanwhile, Murray and LaVine weren’t traded. 

LaVine only played in 25 games this season before undergoing season-ending foot surgery. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.4% from the free-throw line. 

Murray, meanwhile, is averaging 21.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 46.5% from the floor, 36.9% from 3 and 82.8% from the foul line. 

LeBron has long wanted a star ball-handling sidekick, dating back to the Lakers’ failed bid for Damian Lillard in the summer of 2021 and their subsequent trade for Russell Westbrook. The King urged the Lakers to acquire former teammate Kyrie Irving in the summer of 2022, at the 2023 trade deadline and again last summer. 

Irving was traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks last season and re-signed with the Mavericks last offseason in free agency. 

The Lakers plan to continue their quest for a third star this offseason. They have been linked to Irving, Hawks guard Trae Young and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Young is represented by Paul. 

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his $51.4 million player option. The Lakers’ preference is for The Akron Hammer to retire with them.

LBJ is averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season. He’s the oldest player (39) in the NBA.