Lakers Coach Darvin Ham Addresses Trade Speculation

The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated a much needed win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, but analysts still speculate about all potential trade scenarios for the purple and gold. According to recent reports, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham may be working with a new trade target sooner than expected.

Does Ham really believe that the Lakers need new players?

“People talk about trades and this and that. No one’s sugarcoating anything. You have an opportunity to get better, you’re going take advantage of it,” Ham told the media after the game. “But that said, what we have in that locker room, we just need to buckle down, focus, take care of the details. We have more than enough in that locker room to make some things happen.”

Ham and the Lakers can win games without making a trade

Ham has a solid starting five on the floor right now. The Lakers are winning games thanks to LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, and D’Angelo Russell. In the win over the Thunder, LeBron scored 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. AD delivered 27 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block.

If the Lakers plan to make a move, they should make one before February 8. Dejounte Murray has been mentioned as a top trade option for the Lakers. John Hollinger from The Athletic discussed this scenario.

“League sources say the Hawks have had continued chatter on potential Murray deals,” Hollinger wrote on January 14. “Some will tell you they’re getting close to the finish line, while others will say the Hawks are still on a fishing expedition to determine the trade value for him and other key players (such as Hunter and Capela).

“The overly optimistic extensions for Capela (one more year left at $22.2 million) and Hunter (three years left after this one for a total of $70 million) also have handcuffed the Hawks’ team-building. Part of the appeal of trading Murray just months after he agreed to a four-year, $114 million extension is that his contract could be the bait to stuff Capela or especially Hunter into a deal.

“On the other hand, there’s little chance they get anything close to what they gave up to acquire him.”