NBA Trade News: Charles Barkley Toys With Lakers’ Dreams, Suggests Another Home for Dejounte Murray

Joel Embiid’s 21st consecutive 30-point game couldn’t earn his team a victory against the Indiana Pacers. Even with All-Star starter Tyrese Haliburton sidelined, the Philadelphia 76ers were handed a 12-point defeat by newcomer Pascal Siakam. This is not too alarming but Sixers legend Charles Barkley is desperate to break the city’s 40-year championship drought.

He believes outcomes like this can deter Philadelphia’s postseason run. The 1993 MVP rolled out a few suggestions for a potential blockbuster trade that could be entertaining for the NBA world, except maybe for fans of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bucks, Pacers, Knicks, and the Heat have made some promising changes over the last few weeks. With all their competitors improving in one area or another, the pressure is on the 3rd seeded Sixers to safeguard their championship hopes.

 Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have been consistent for the Philadelphia 76ers. But this could be just another duo like Harden and Embiid that did not work in the playoffs. That’s why Charles Barkley thinks Tobias Harris could be used for a great package to help the franchise bring in a game-changer.

The first name suggested was Alex Caruso, who Chuck believes is “dying” with the Chicago Bulls. Barkley then suggested a name that has already been making rounds in the rumor mill. The Atlanta Hawks‘ most-wanted star Dejounte Murray can put the 76ers a step above everyone in the East, Sir Charles stated.

Charles Barkley also did not hesitate to say that the Boston Celtics are the only team that scares him in the East, not even the Bucks or the Knicks. The last suggestion was Bruce Brown from the Toronto Raptors, who is also a potential target for the Los Angeles unit. It seems that all of Chuck’s suggestions involve foiling the Lakers’ trade plans. 

How is Dejounte Murray expected to put the Lakers back on the map? 

The Lakers are the closest at the moment who are expected to acquire the 27-year-old. They even put D’Angelo Russell on the table for him, but the Hawks have their eyes on Austin Reaves, who the Lakers are not ready to sacrifice. The only possibility left now for LA is to involve a third team to make a three-way deal.

LeBron James and Co. are in desperate need of a three-point shooter and two-way player. Rumors have suggested that the Lakers have brought in Spencer Dinwiddie from the Brooklyn Nets for a possible trade with the Hawks. This could land Dinwiddie at the Hawks, D-Lo back at the Nets, and Murray with the Lakers.

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Now with Barkley suggesting that the 76ers should go for Murray, we might see a spark of interest from his former team. Anyhow, the talks are not serious yet. If the Sixers join this three-way idea instead of the Nets, that could land Tobias Harris along with LeBron James. We are just a few days away from an answer.  The NBA Trade Deadline is on February 8th. What are your thoughts? Will the 76ers make a move in the next two weeks? Share your take in the comments below.

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