The transfer market is the favorite time of Los Angeles Lakers fans, a period where any movement can turn the Californians into legitimate candidates for the title. Heading towards the trade deadline of this 2023-2024 season, the Angelenos have multiple players and assets with which to trade and improve their rotation.

A key stretch because the Lakers have already shown that they have plenty of potential to prevail over the rest, conquering the first In-Season Tournament. What they achieve in these coming weeks will be essential to enhance or limit the group’s ceiling starting in April.

Therefore, with the date of Thursday, February 8, 2024 on the horizon, it is time to look for and analyze five transfers that could change the course of the Lakers who, right now, are fighting again in Play-In positions.

OG Anunoby
Lakers receive: OG Anunoby
Raptors receive: D’Angelo Russell, 2026 First Rounder (protected) and 2024 Second Rounder (via Clippers)

While D’Angelo Russell is being a valuable asset for the Lakers, having improved notably as a defender, in decision making and is posting good numbers in general, his contract makes him the main name called to leave. The 30-year-old point guard renewed for two seasons and $36 million last July, a solution to the Los Angeles problem of salary management and a good haul for a solid starter.

This is where OG Anunoby emerges as a name to keep an eye on. The Briton does not seem very interested in prolonging his career in Canada, where he did not reach a renewal agreement before October, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of this year. The Raptors have made a habit of not transferring their expiring players in recent years rather than making a transfer that is not profitable for their interests. However, after letting Ibaka, Gasol, Lowry and VanVleet slip since 2020, they may change their strategy.

The transfer for Anunoby is probably not the one that will give Toronto the most assets, but a fundamental issue must not be left aside. The 26-year-old forward is represented by Klutch Sports, LeBron James’ agency, and that could be a deciding factor in any trade if the player reports that he does not intend to renew with other potential destinations.

Anunoby would give the Lakers a solid, reliable and constant exterior, without great fanfare, but with the ability to maximize his resources along with James and Davis, opening the door again for Austin Reaves as a starting point guard.

Jerami Grant
Lakers receive: Jerami Grant

Blazers receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, 2026 First Rounder (protected), 2024 Second Rounder (via Clippers), 2025 Second Rounder (via Clippers), 2028 First Rounder trade right
With a similar profile to OG Anunoby, Jerami Grant appears as a much more expensive option in salary terms (160M, 5 seasons) but also more ready to compete at the highest level. The 29-year-old player has spent his time on losing teams since 2020, earning a high salary and improving year after year until becoming one of the best 3&D in the league.

Grant is shooting 41.3% on three-pointers this season on 6.0 attempts per game, averaging 22.0 points (almost his career high) and holding his opponents to 47.3% accuracy.

Portland is focusing its efforts on rebuilding, which is why right now it is more interested in draft picks than veterans in their prime. The former Nuggets and Pistons player doesn’t fit much into the Blazers’ timeline, but he would be an ideal addition to the Lakers’ defensive structure. An ideal profile to pair with LeBron James and enhance his 41.6% in triples in reception and 45.2% in drives.

Dejounte Murray
Lakers receive: Dejounte Murray

Hawks receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2026 First Rounder (protected), 2024 Second Rounder (via Clippers) and 2028 First Rounder trade right

An operation quite similar to the one exposed in terms of assets with Anunoby but that adds rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino and the right to exchange the First Round of 2028. Dejounte Murray was mentioned as a transfer target by Shams Charania on the 27th. December on FanDuelTV, a player who would substantially improve Russell and raise the Lakers’ defensive ceiling.

Dejounte Murray’s profile is actually very similar to that of D’Angelo, with the difference that the current Hawks player is capable of directing and acting as a second sword, while also making an impact on defense. Although the Atl experiment

DeMar DeRozan
Lakers receive: DeMar DeRozan and Torrey Craig
Bulls receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, 2024 Second Round (via Clippers) and 2027 Second Round

The presence of DeMar DeRozan in a Bulls fighting not to fall into the precipice of mediocrity is a luxury that they will not maintain for long in cold Chicago. The veteran shooting guard ends his contract at the end of this year and could bring forward his long-awaited return to his home, Los Angeles. DeRozan has more than justified the contract signed in 2021 for $82 million, being a leader, insurance and a scorer worth watching night after night.

The value of the 34-year-old player is unknown. Based on his 22.4 points with 47.2% on 2-point shots and 36.7% on triples, there could be talk of a greater draft haul than the one proposed, but taking into account that it is expiring it could also be less. The fact is that the Bulls have to make the decision whether to move DeRozan and get something in return or risk losing him in July if he does not want to re-sign.

On the part of the player who grew up in Compton, his arrival to the Lakers would add a player who has been exceptional in recent campaigns, an exterior of absolute culture and with great precision in the clutch. In the Bulls he has polished his vision and direction of play, which together with Reaves and Davis could take the Californians far in the Playoffs.

Malcolm Brogdon
Lakers receive: Malcolm Brogdon
Blazers receive: D’Angelo Russell, Max Christie, Christian Wood, 2024 Second Rounder (via Clippers) and 2027 Second Rounder

Portland is going to be a team to watch closely at this trade deadline and it will be because it has several veterans who do not fit into the Blazers’ project. Malcolm Brogdon is, perhaps, the one who has the best chance of being traded in the coming weeks, a name that is not very striking but would surely solve part of the Lakers’ problems.

An experienced point guard with a lot to prove after a more negative year than the numbers indicate in the Celtics, where he did not quite accept his role and did not fit in as expected with the Jays. If he joined the Lakers, the improvement in direction compared to Russell would be notable, allowing LeBron to continue functioning as an executor from the three-point range and giving quality balls to Davis.

The question with Brogdon, as always, is whether he will stay healthy enough for the Angelenos to opt to bring him in.