Comparison Of Lakers Potential Point Guards: D'Angelo Russell vs. Trae Young vs. Dejounte Murray

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2024-25 season with JJ Redick as the new head coach and another year with a superstar duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way.

However, there have been rumors about their point guard position since current starter D’Angelo Russell could reject his $18,692,307 player option and test free agency, leaving the Lakers with the option to re-sign him to a long-term deal or potentially look at blockbuster deals involving Trae Young or Dejounte Murray.

With the point guard spot extremely important to the Lakers season in 2024-25, here is the comparison between D’Angelo Russell, Trae Young , and Dejounte Murray .

Points Per Game (PPG)

1. Trae Young: 25.7 PPG (3 Points)

2. Dejounte Murray: 22.5 PPG (2 Points)

3. D’Angelo Russell: 18.0 PPG (1 Point)

Trae Young is an elite scorer, capable of putting up points in bunches and often carrying the offensive load for his team. His deep shooting range and ability to draw fouls make him a constant threat on the court while his scoring average significantly surpasses both Russell and Murray, highlighting his role as a primary scorer and his ability to carry an offense singlehandedly.

In second place, Dejounte Murray has developed into a reliable scorer, blending a solid mid-range game with the ability to finish at the rim. His scoring average is closer to Young's, reflecting his importance in the offense for the Hawks. Unlike Russell, Murray's scoring also comes with strong defensive contributions, making him a more balanced player.

Finally, D'Angelo Russell is a consistent scorer who can create his own shot and thrives in pick-and-roll situations. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting makes him a valuable offensive asset. However, his scoring output is notably lower compared to the other two, suggesting a more supporting scoring role with James and Davis creating for him.

Rebounds Per Game (RPG)

Dejounte Murray: 5.3 RPG (3 Points)

D’Angelo Russell: 3.1 RPG (2 Points)

Trae Young: 2.8 RPG (1 Point)

Murray stands out as an exceptional rebounder for a guard, showcasing his athleticism and tenacity. His ability to contribute on the boards is a significant advantage, especially in securing defensive rebounds. This makes him a more versatile player when it comes to rebounding compared to Russell and Young.

Russell's rebounding numbers are modest for a guard, indicating he does not focus heavily on crashing the boards. His role is more perimeter-oriented, which limits his rebounding opportunities and Russell isn’t exactly the most physically imposing guard either.

Young's rebounding is slightly lower than Russell's, reflecting his focus on playmaking and scoring. His smaller stature at 6’1” also limits his effectiveness on the boards. His primary contributions are in scoring and assisting, with rebounding being a less significant part of his game.

Assists Per Game (APG)

1. Trae Young: 10.8 APG (3 Points)

2. Dejounte Murray: 6.4 APG (2 Points)

3. D’Angelo Russell: 6.3 APG (1 Point)

No surprise, Young is an elite playmaker, leading his team with career-high assist numbers that reflect his court vision and passing skills. His ability to create scoring opportunities for others makes him a true floor general. His assist average is the highest among the three, emphasizing his primary role in orchestrating the offense.

Murray is a solid playmaker, slightly edging out Russell in assists per game. His ability to distribute the ball complements his scoring and rebounding skills. While not as prolific as Young, his playmaking is balanced with his other contributions on the court and he managed to post solid passing numbers despite sharing the court with a ball-dominant Young.

In third place, Russell is a capable playmaker, facilitating the offense and creating opportunities for his teammates. His assist numbers reflect his ability to handle the ball and make plays. However, his playmaking is not as prolific as Young's, positioning him as a secondary facilitator behind LeBron James (8.3 APG) as we saw this past season.

Steals Per Game (SPG)

1. Dejounte Murray: 1.4 SPG (3 Points)

2. Trae Young: 1.3 SPG (2 Points)

3. D’Angelo Russell: 0.9 SPG (1 Point)

Murray excels defensively, with his steals per game reflecting his active hands and defensive instincts. His ability to generate turnovers is a significant part of his game, making him a more complete player. His defensive contributions are the strongest among the three, highlighting his all-around defense.

Young's steal numbers are respectable, showing his ability to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers. While defense is not his strongest suit, he contributes defensively through opportunistic plays. His steal rate is higher than Russell's but lower than Murray's, indicating a balanced defensive effort.

Russell's steal numbers indicate a moderate defensive presence, but he is not known for his defensive prowess. His focus is more on offensive contributions, with less emphasis on disrupting opponents' plays. Compared to Murray and Young, his impact coming up with steals is the least pronounced.

Blocks Per Game (BPG)

1. D’Angelo Russell: 0.5 BPG (3 Points)

2. Dejounte Murray: 0.3 BPG (2 Points)

3. Trae Young: 0.2 BPG (1 Point)

Although not an area where guards are usually judged, Russell provides a modest contribution in blocks, which is notable for a guard. His ability to block shots adds a defensive element to his game. However, his block numbers are still limited compared to forwards and centers, reflecting his perimeter-oriented play.

Murray offers a slight edge over Young in blocks, showcasing his defensive versatility. While not a primary shot-blocker, his athleticism allows him to contribute occasionally in this area. His block numbers are modest but reflect his overall defensive engagement as the best defender out of the group.

Lastly, Young's block numbers are minimal, indicating his limited presence in this defensive aspect. His smaller size and focus on offensive duties reduce his impact on shot-blocking. Compared to Russell and Murray, his contributions in blocks are the least significant.

Field-Goal Percentage (FG%)

1. Dejounte Murray: 45.9% (3 Points)

2. D’Angelo Russell: 45.6% (2 Points)

3. Trae Young: 43.0% (1 Point)

Murray's shooting percentage is the highest, indicating his efficient scoring from various spots on the floor. His ability to score effectively contributes to his well-rounded offensive game. His efficiency is a key advantage over both Russell and Young, although he might not be the best all-around shooter of the bunch.

Russell's shooting percentage reflects his efficiency, particularly from mid-range and beyond the arc. His ability to score efficiently makes him a valuable offensive asset. Compared to Young, his shooting is more efficient, though slightly behind Murray's which isn’t too bad considering he was the third option with opportunities coming and going.

Young's field-goal percentage is lower, reflecting his high volume of shots and deep three-point attempts. While he is a prolific scorer, his efficiency can be inconsistent. His shooting percentage is the lowest among the three, highlighting his role as a high-usage scorer who will need the ball in his hands to make a true impact offensively.

3-Point Percentage (3-PT FG%)

1. D’Angelo Russell: 41.5% (3 Points)

2. Trae Young: 37.3% (2 Points)

3. Dejounte Murray: 36.3% (1 Point)

Russell is an excellent three-point shooter, with a high percentage that reflects his proficiency from long range. His ability to stretch the floor is a significant asset for any team. His three-point shooting is the best among the three, making him a valuable floor spacer and he was hot for most of the regular season in 2023-24.

Young's three-point shooting is solid but not elite, reflecting his high volume of attempts and deep shots. While he can be a streaky shooter, his range keeps defenses honest. His percentage is lower than Russell's but still respectable for a primary scorer and we can’t discount what the point guard can do spacing the floor.

Murray's three-point shooting is decent, indicating his improvement in this area over the years. While not a primary threat from beyond the arc, he can make shots when needed. His percentage is the lowest among the three, but he compensates with other strengths.

Free-Throw Percentage (FT%)

1. Trae Young: 85.5% (3 Points)

2. D’Angelo Russell: 82.8% (2 Points)

3. Dejounte Murray: 79.4% (1 Point)

Young excels at the free-throw line, with a high percentage that reflects his accuracy and consistency. His proficiency from the line is a crucial part of his scoring arsenal. His free-throw shooting is the best among the three, providing an edge in close games and that bodes well when playing alongside decent but unspectacular free-throw shooters James and Davis.

Russell's free-throw shooting is reliable, making him a dependable option in clutch situations. His ability to convert free throws adds to his overall scoring efficiency. His percentage is solid, though still behind Young's. Regardless, Russell can make his foul shots and is no liability from the stripe.

Murray's free-throw shooting is decent but not as strong as Russell's or Young's. His percentage indicates room for improvement, especially in critical moments. While reliable, his free-throw shooting is the lowest among the three but not low enough to discount his ability to make important shots from the stripe.

Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

1. Trae Young: 20.3 (3 Points)

2. Dejounte Murray: 17.7 (2 Points)

3. D’Angelo Russell: 16.0 (1 Point)

Trae Young's PER is the highest, reflecting his significant contributions in scoring and playmaking. His ability to drive his team's offense results in a high-efficiency rating. His PER underscores his status as a primary offensive option and bonafide All-Star.

Murray's PER is strong, indicating his well-rounded contributions on both ends of the floor. His balance of scoring, rebounding, and defense makes him a valuable all-around player. His PER is higher than Russell's but lower than Young's, reflecting his balanced impact.

Finally, Russell's PER reflects his solid but not elite overall performance, with strengths in scoring and playmaking. His rating indicates a valuable contributor but not a star player. Compared to Young and Murray, his PER is the lowest, suggesting less overall impact.

Fit With LeBron James And Anthony Davis

1. Trae Young: Ball-Dominance To Relieve James, Lob Partner For Davis (3 Points)

2. Dejounte Murray: Excellent Defender And All-Around Contributor (2 Points)

3. D’Angelo Russell: Consistency And Experience As Third Option (1 Point)

Young's ball-dominant style would allow him to take over primary playmaking duties, relieving LeBron James of some of the offensive load. His ability to create for teammates would provide numerous easy scoring opportunities for Anthony Davis, especially with his exceptional lob passes. Young’s presence would enable James to focus more on scoring and strategic plays, making the offense more dynamic and less predictable.

Secondly, Murray's defensive prowess would be invaluable, allowing him to guard the opposing team's best scorer and enhance the Lakers' perimeter defense. His all-around game, including rebounding and facilitating, complements the skill sets of both James and Davis. By taking on the dirty work and providing a versatile, energetic presence, Murray would seamlessly integrate, enhancing the team’s overall balance and defensive capabilities.

Finally, Russell has already developed chemistry with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, having played together since the 2022-23 mid-season. His experience in this system ensures he knows his role, providing scoring and playmaking without disrupting the established dynamic. James and Davis can rely on Russell's consistency, making him a steady third option who understands the team's expectations but he still won't be as impactful alongside the stars as Young and Murray could be.

Final Comparison

1. Trae Young - 22 Points (5 Categories Won)

2. Dejounte Murray - 21 Points (3 Categories Won)

3. D'Angelo Russell - 17 Points (2 Categories Won)

Trae Young Should Be The Lakers’ Priority, Dejounte Murray As The Backup

Given the statistical analysis and their fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Trae Young should be the Lakers' top priority after winning the comparison with 22 total points and five out of 10 categories won. Young's elite scoring and playmaking abilities offer the highest offensive upside, allowing LeBron to conserve energy and focus on scoring and strategic plays. His proficiency in creating easy scoring opportunities for Anthony Davis would add a new dimension to the Lakers' offense, making it more dynamic and less reliant on James. The potential trade package heading the Atlanta Hawks way could include Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, the No. 17 Pick, and the 2029 First-Round Pick.

If acquiring Young proves challenging, Dejounte Murray would be an excellent backup option by utilizing Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and the No. 17 Pick. Murray's defensive capabilities, rebounding, and overall versatility provide a well-rounded complement to James and Davis. His ability to guard top opposing scorers and contribute in multiple facets of the game ensures he would enhance the team's balance and defensive strength, which is why he has 21 total points with three categories won.

Finally, while D'Angelo Russell offers consistency and familiarity along with having an edge in shot-blocking and three-point shooting compared to Young and Murray, the Lakers need a player who can elevate their game to a championship level. Trae Young's star power and offensive prowess make him the ideal candidate to drive the Lakers' success, with Murray as a strong secondary option to bolster the team's overall effectiveness. That means the Lakers could let D’Angelo Russell walk if they can pull the trigger on Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this summer.

Related: 5 Blockbuster Trades The Lakers Could Do On 2024 Draft Night

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