NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Shift Focus on Ex-DPOY After Losing Momentum on Dejounte Murray Pursuit

The February 8 trade deadline is only 6 days away. The Los Angeles Lakers are yet to make any significant moves to improve their roster. LeBron James and Co. have been hovering around the play-in spots in the Western Conference standings all season. They desperately need a third star to play alongside LeBron and AD and turn their season around. Rob Pelinka reportedly had his eyes on Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray since he entered the trade market.

However, the recent loss of momentum in the Murray pursuit has shifted the Lakers’ focus to Former DPOY Marcus Smart from the Memphis Grizzlies. According to the latest reports, the Lakers are interested in acquiring Smart before the February 8 deadline and have even approached the Grizzlies to make an offer.

The Lakers are not the only team hunting for Smart. The Milwaukee Bucks have also shown interest in the Grizzlies star. However, the Grizzlies front office does not seem interested in parting ways with the veteran guard and has shut down all trade talks.

Marcus Smart is currently out of action due to a right ring finger injury. Smart dislocated his finger during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 9. He did not notice the injury until he hit a three-pointer in the third quarter and celebrated by pointing out the dislocated finger.

He immediately rushed to the bench for treatment and sat out the remainder of the game. Smart will remain out for at least 2-3 more weeks due to the injury. Despite Smart being out of the lineup, the Grizzlies have high hopes for the Former DPOY.

Will the Grizzlies let go of Marcus Smart so soon?

The Grizzlies acquired Marcus Smart last summer from Boston and had high expectations for him. With Dillion Brooks no longer on the roster, Smart became the Grizzlies’ defensive anchor alongside another former DPOY, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Read More: Did D’Angelo Russell and Dejounte Murray Accept Their Fate Amid Rampant Trade Rumors?

He also became a locker-room leader and a veteran presence in the team because of his playoff experience with the Celtics. Unfortunately, Ja Morant’s season-ending injury ruined all plans for the Grizzlies.

Smart still has 2 more years left on his contract after the end of this season. So, the Grizzlies might be in no hurry to trade him and see where things go when Ja Morant returns to the lineup next season. However, knowing Rob Pelinka’s ability to pull off blockbuster trades out of nowhere, a Marcus Smart move remains a possibility. Smart could be the missing piece the Lakers need to get back in the playoff picture. It will be interesting to see how things pan out in the next 6 days.

Watch This Story: 39-Year-Old LeBron James Ends 2023 High and Way Above Fellow Veteran Stephen Curry in Elite NBA List