The 2024 NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the rumor mill is starting to churn with the Feb. 8 deadline only a few weeks away. Unsurprisingly, one of the busiest teams in the trade market seems to be the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are a disappointing 21-21 through 42 games, so you can guarantee LeBron James will pressure management to improve the roster before the trade deadline comes and goes.
Los Angeles has been linked to Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine over the last few days, but don’t be surprised if general manager Rob Pelinka opts for a cheaper option. The Lakers may not be big-game hunting at this year’s trade deadline.
Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Could Target Tyus Jones or Collin Sexton
Lakers fans would love to see an All-Star-caliber guard like Murray or LaVine join the rotation at the deadline, but Pelinka might not be looking for that big of a splash. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles is “surveying the market” for point guard help. The two names he mentioned are Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton.
Jones is having a career year with the Wizards. The 27-year-old is putting up career-highs in points (12.8), assists (5.6), field-goal percentage (52.1 percent) and three-point field-goal percentage (42.0 percent). He’s an efficient scorer and playmaker who would improve a Lakers team that ranks 21st in the NBA in offensive efficiency.
Sexton is a riskier option, but his upside is more intriguing. Since being inserted in the starting lineup last month, the former top-10 pick is averaging nearly 22 points per game. The Jazz have gone 15-4 over that span, and they’ve won six straight games with Sexton running the offense.
Both Jones and Sexton have weaknesses on the defensive end, but that would hardly matter with Anthony Davis patrolling the paint behind them.
Which PG Would Be a Better Fit for the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Lakers desperately need some offensive help at the guard position. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves have struggled at times this season, and Gabe Vincent has played in only five games due to a knee injury. That’s a major reason why LA ranks 18th in the NBA in scoring halfway through the season.
The biggest need the Lakers have is a scoring guard who can run the offense and become a microwave scorer when James heads to the bench. That’s Sexton in a nutshell. The 25-year-old can score at all three levels, and he’s never lacked confidence on the offensive end. He can fit alongside James and Davis on the court, and he’s more than capable of running the lead role in a bench lineup.
Sexton could be exactly what the Lakers need to get back into the contender tier, and he’d be much cheaper than the big names currently on the trading block.