3 Trades the Lakers Must Pursue After JJ Redick Hiring

The Los Angeles Lakers finally have their head coach. JJ Redick will be the man in charge as the Lakers attempt to win another ring in LeBron James' final stretch of his career. However, the roster as it is currently constructed is not good enough to contend. Therefore, upgrades are needed on multiple fronts.

Since the Lakers don't have too much cap space, they will need to rely on the trade market to make these upgrades. They have matching salaries of Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Austin Reaves in addition to the three first-round picks that they can trade. Here are three deals they must make to get back to contention under JJ Redick.

Dejounte Murray

The Los Angeles Lakers will surely try to trade for another All-Star this summer. Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell will certainly be options but they will either require too big of a trade package or the Lakers will be outbid by other suitors. A more realistic scenario, however, could involve Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks.

There were reports during the trade deadline that the Lakers were interested in Murray. Those talks didn't go anywhere as the sides couldn't agree on the price. Now that the Hawks failed to make the playoffs once again and lucked into the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they are more likely to part ways with Murray.

The Lakers could make a very competitive offer for the 27-year-old combo guard. A package involving Austin Reaves and a first-round pick should be enough to entice Atlanta.

Rui Hachimura would have to be included to make the salaries work but this is a fair deal for both sides. Losing Reaves will hurt but Murray is a more polished two-way option. He can defend, and provide more physicality, while also being able to create his own shot. He is under contract through 2027 on a team-friendly deal, making him a perfect target for the cash-poor Los Angeles Lakers.