Lakers See Crickex App Star Murray Over Reaves
Earlier this week on a Crickex App broadcast, NBA insider Shams Charania revealed a new twist in the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade strategy. A surprising name not frequently linked with the purple and gold has now emerged — Dejounte Murray. According to Shams, the Lakers are seriously evaluating the feasibility of adding Murray to their roster, citing his remaining four-year contract as a source of long-term stability.
However, acquiring him won’t come cheap. The Lakers would likely need to surrender multiple first-round picks, pick swaps, and players like Austin Reaves and Jaxson Hayes — both assets the Hawks reportedly want in return. Looking at the Lakers’ current season struggles, the need for a major shake-up is apparent.
The team’s most glaring weakness has been offensive production, especially from beyond the arc. The Lakers currently rank 24th in offensive efficiency per 100 possessions and are third-worst in three-pointers made per game. This lack of balance between interior and perimeter scoring places overwhelming pressure on Anthony Davis in the paint, especially on nights when LeBron James and Davis lack energy or rhythm.
Another persistent issue lies in the imbalance between the Lakers’ offensive and defensive role players. Offensive talents like D’Angelo Russell, Reaves, and Taurean Prince often become defensive liabilities, while defensive stalwarts like Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt struggle to contribute consistently on offense. This two-way imbalance has left head coach Darvin Ham struggling to identify a stable starting lineup.
Additionally, the Lakers remain overly reliant on LeBron James to initiate offense. When he’s off the court, the team’s ball movement and tempo suffer significantly. Last season, Dennis Schröder was effective as a second-unit floor general, allowing Reaves and others to focus on scoring. But with Schröder gone and Gabe Vincent failing to live up to expectations — and now sidelined with a knee injury — the Lakers are still searching for a viable replacement.
Crickex App reporters believe no single trade will magically fix all of the Lakers’ problems. Still, among the league’s 500-plus active players, Murray stands out as one of the best available fits for what the Lakers need.
While not a pure scorer like rumored alternative Zach LaVine, and possibly less explosive than D’Angelo Russell on certain nights, Murray has posted remarkably consistent stats over the past three seasons. His scoring has remained steady even after transitioning into a secondary role alongside Trae Young in Atlanta, and his shooting efficiency has actually improved since his days with the Spurs.
Murray currently hits 38.2 percent of his three-pointers and maintains an 83.2 percent free-throw rate. Developed by legendary coach Gregg Popovich as Tony Parker’s successor in San Antonio, Murray eventually became the Spurs’ primary point guard. In his final season there, he averaged 9.2 assists per game. Even in Atlanta, with less playmaking responsibility, he still averages 5.9 assists — a testament to his versatility.
Perhaps most crucially, Murray is no slouch on defense. Outside of his rookie season, he has consistently averaged over 1.7 steals per game. He even led the league in steals during his final year with the Spurs, averaging 2 per game. At 6-foot-5, he has the size and physicality to handle defensive assignments without being exploited, something current Lakers third option Reaves often struggles with.
In short, Crickex App analysts believe that while Murray won’t solve every issue in Los Angeles, his two-way ability, playoff readiness, and long-term upside make him a prime candidate to help the Lakers get back on track.