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4-Team Blockbuster Mock Trade Sends Dejounte Murray And Marcus Smart To The Lakers

By Fran Leiva,

18 days ago

As the dust settles from the NBA Draft, the offseason is heating up with teams making strategic moves to position themselves for a successful 2024-25 season. The Los Angeles Lakers are actively seeking to add another star player to their roster, aiming to build on their recent playoff appearances. Despite re-signing key players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura last year, they are exploring further trades to enhance their championship prospects.

The Memphis Grizzlies , looking to rebound from an injury-plagued season, drafted Zach Edey with the 9th pick. This move aims to bolster their frontcourt and provide depth behind their young core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks made a significant splash by selecting Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick , signaling a potential shift in their roster dynamics. The Brooklyn Nets, after trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks , are focused on rebuilding and utilizing their newly acquired assets to construct a competitive team.

This mock 4-team trade scenario envisions a high-stakes deal that could address each team’s needs and ambitions, potentially shifting the NBA landscape.

Trade Proposal

Lakers receive: Dejounte Murray, Marcus Smart, Dorian Finney-Smith

Hawks receive: Rui Hachimura, Nic Claxton, 2029 first-round pick (via Lakers), Nets’ 2029 first-round pick (via Mavs)

Nets receive: Clint Capela, D’Angelo Russell, Luke Kennard, Jalen Hood-Schifino

Grizzlies receive: Cameron Johnson, Gabe Vincent

The Lakers Are Shaking Up The Roster

After a rollercoaster 2023-24 season that saw the Lakers finish with a 47-35 record, only to be ousted by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are eager to make significant roster changes. They are aiming to build a more robust team around their core of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

With the offseason in full swing, the Lakers are involved in a proposed four-team blockbuster trade that could dramatically alter their lineup. The proposed trade involves the Lakers receiving Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks, Marcus Smart from the Memphis Grizzlies, and Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets.

Dejounte Murray , a versatile guard who averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists last season, would provide the Lakers with much-needed playmaking and defensive prowess. His ability to handle the ball and create plays would take the pressure off LeBron James and Anthony Davis, offering them more flexibility on the court. Marcus Smart, known for his defensive tenacity and leadership, averaged 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. His addition would bring a level of grit and experience to the Lakers, enhancing their defense significantly. Dorian Finney-Smith, who shot 34.8% from three-point range last season while averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, would add depth and shooting to the Lakers' wing positions. His defensive versatility and ability to stretch the floor with his shooting would be a crucial asset.

In exchange, the Lakers would part with Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, their 2029 first-round pick, and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Hachimura, who has shown potential but struggled with consistency, will head to the Atlanta Hawks, providing them with a forward to develop further.

D’Angelo Russell, despite his offensive skills, faced consistency issues and will be traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a sign-and-trade deal, offering them a scoring guard who can facilitate the offense. Gabe Vincent, whose injuries limited his impact last season, will move to the Memphis Grizzlies, providing them with a solid backup guard with potential upside.

This trade significantly strengthens the Lakers' roster, addressing key areas of need and improving their depth. The addition of Murray, Smart, and Finney-Smith gives the Lakers a formidable defensive lineup capable of competing against top teams in the league. Murray’s playmaking and scoring will alleviate the burden on LeBron and AD, while Smart’s leadership and defensive skills will be crucial in high-pressure situations. Finney-Smith’s shooting and versatility will help space the floor and provide valuable minutes off the bench.

The trade also signifies the Lakers' intention to compete for a championship immediately, leveraging their future assets to build a team capable of winning now. By integrating these new players into the roster, the Lakers are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the Western Conference.

In conclusion, this four-team blockbuster trade would be a bold move for the Lakers, addressing their current weaknesses and enhancing their championship prospects. With a focused approach and strategic acquisitions, the Lakers aim to build a team that can contend for the title.

The Hawks Start To Retool Big Time

The Atlanta Hawks are making significant moves this offseason, starting with selecting Zaccharie Risacher as the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This bold choice signals the Hawks' commitment to revitalizing their roster and aiming for deeper playoff runs. But drafting Risacher is just the beginning. The Hawks are also involved in a massive four-team trade that could drastically change their team dynamics.

In this blockbuster trade, the Hawks will send Dejounte Murray to the Lakers and Clint Capela to the Nets. Coming to Atlanta are Rui Hachimura from the Lakers and Nic Claxton from the Nets. Additionally, the Hawks will receive the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick and the Nets' 2029 first-round pick via the Mavericks, giving them valuable future assets to either draft new talent or use in future trades.

Nic Claxton is coming to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade deal after renewing his contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Claxton signed a four-year, $100 million contract, solidifying his role as a key player in the NBA. Last season, Claxton averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, showcasing his defensive prowess and rebounding capabilities. His presence in the paint and ability to protect the rim will be invaluable for the Hawks as they look to fortify their frontcourt. Rui Hachimura, who is coming from the Lakers, has shown great potential. Last season, he averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. His ability to score and defend will add significant depth to the Hawks' forward rotation, making him a valuable addition to the team.

The Hawks' offseason strategy is clear: they are committed to reshaping their roster and maximizing their chances of success in the coming seasons. By leveraging their draft picks and making bold trades, the Hawks aim to build a team that can compete with the best in the league. The upcoming months will be critical as they integrate new players and build chemistry on the court, setting the stage for an exciting NBA season with Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Nic Claxton on board.

It’s Time To Acquire Assets For The Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of a significant rebuild, making bold moves to reshape their roster and future prospects. This offseason has seen the Nets involved in major trades, including sending Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for six future first-round picks and the return of Bojan Bogdanovic.

In this latest trade, the Nets send Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers and Nic Claxton to the Hawks, as Cameron Johnson departs to the Grizzlies. In return, the Nets will receive Clint Capela from the Hawks, D’Angelo Russell with Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers, and Luke Kennard from the Grizzlies.

Coming from the Hawks, Clint Capela will bring significant rebounding and defensive capabilities to the Nets. Capela averaged 11.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season, providing a strong presence in the paint and improving the team's interior defense.

D’Angelo Russell, returning to Brooklyn from the Lakers , brings his scoring and playmaking abilities back to the team. Last season, he averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists per game, adding a veteran presence to the Nets' backcourt and helping to guide the younger players. Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Lakers' rookie, adds promising young talent to the Nets. As a guard, his development will be crucial for the team's future, and he is expected to contribute significantly as he grows in the NBA.

Luke Kennard, coming from the Grizzlies, is known for his sharpshooting. He averaged 11.0 points per game last season, shooting 45.0% from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor will be a valuable asset for the Nets' offense.

Brooklyn's offseason strategy is clear: they are focused on rebuilding and positioning themselves for long-term success. By leveraging their trades and draft picks, the Nets aim to construct a team that can compete at the highest level in the long-term future.

Preparing To Come Back Stronger In Memphis

The Memphis Grizzlies are positioning themselves for a significant turnaround after a challenging season marked by injuries to key players like Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke. With the upcoming season in mind, the Grizzlies are making strategic moves in a massive four-team trade to enhance their roster depth and performance on both ends of the court.

In this substantial trade, the Grizzlies will send Marcus Smart to the Lakers and Luke Kennard to the Nets. In return, they will acquire Cameron Johnson from the Nets and Gabe Vincent from the Lakers. This trade is designed to provide the Grizzlies with the necessary tools to compete more effectively in the Western Conference.

Cameron Johnson, arriving from the Nets, is a highly effective forward known for his sharpshooting abilities. Last season, he averaged 13.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 42.3% from three-point range. Johnson’s ability to stretch the floor will be a critical asset for Memphis, allowing for better spacing and more offensive options. His defensive skills and versatility on the court will also contribute significantly to the Grizzlies' overall gameplay.

Gabe Vincent, joining the Grizzlies from the Lakers, adds depth and reliability to the backcourt. Vincent averaged 9.4 points and 2.3 assists per game last season. His defensive prowess and clutch shooting will provide Memphis with a dependable guard who can step up in crucial moments. Vincent’s experience and tenacity will be vital as the Grizzlies aim to improve their guard rotation and overall team defense.

The Grizzlies' decision to part with Marcus Smart, who brought a lot of defensive energy and leadership, signifies their confidence in the new acquisitions. Smart’s move to the Lakers and Kennard’s transfer to the Nets open up opportunities for the Grizzlies to rebuild with a focus on youth and potential.

Memphis is not just looking at the immediate future but also setting up a foundation for long-term success. By bringing in Johnson and Vincent, they are adding players who can contribute right away and grow with the team. The Grizzlies are dedicated to creating a balanced team that can compete at the highest levels, leveraging both new and existing talent to build a cohesive and formidable lineup.

Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are focused on integrating these new players into their system, enhancing team chemistry, and developing strategies that capitalize on their strengths. With a renewed roster and a strategic approach, Memphis is poised to make significant strides in the upcoming season, aiming to be a strong contender in the Western Conference and beyond.