Why the Lakers’ unprotected 2025 pick could be Atlanta’s best asset thanks to the Dejounte Murray trade

One of the biggest trades of the offseason happened last night when Atlanta traded Dejounte Murray to New Orleans in exchange for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance, and two first-round picks. One of the picks is in next year’s draft and it’s an unprotected pick from the Los Angeles Lakers. While Daniels is the asset Hawks fans are most excited about in this trade right now, I think the big prize could be the Lakers’ pick going to Atlanta. Atlanta wasn’t guaranteed a first-round pick in next year’s draft due to the 2022 Dejounte Murray trade, but now they have one. If the Kings’ pick goes (protected 1-12), Atlanta could have two first-round picks next year.

Let’s take a look at why the Lakers’ pick could be so valuable.

By trading Murray to New Orleans, the Lakers lost one of their top targets this offseason. Los Angeles, in its current configuration, is a very average team in a crowded Western Conference and the number of transfer targets to help them improve next year is declining. Could they target Brandon Ingram or Zach LaVine? Donovan Mitchell appears ready to re-sign with Cleveland, Trae Young isn’t trading, Phoenix isn’t trading anyone, it doesn’t look like Minnesota will trade Karl-Anthony Towns, and I don’t think the Lakers have the assets to trade Lauri Markkanen. The Lakers could still spring a surprise and land someone no one expects from them, but the list of transfer targets is dwindling.

Not only is the Western Conference full, but the Lakers have to hope for another healthy season from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, which is not guaranteed. Davis is coming off the most healthy season of his career and had an All-NBA season. James has been healthy for most of the season and still put up some very good stats. Both of those events happened and the Lakers were still one Zion Williamson injury away from qualifying for a play-in game against the Kings, which they might have lost. What if Davis and James can’t stay healthy? This could be a big problem for the Lakers.

Assuming they both stay healthy, it bears repeating that the Western Conference is very loaded. Let’s look at last year’s standings and see where the Lakers might stand:

1. Oklahoma City – Added Alex Caruso to an already loaded roster that was the No. 1 seed last season.

2. Denver – Could lose Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but there’s still Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray

3. Minnesota – They bring back their entire team and should be a contender

4. Clippers – They are the biggest question mark so far, but they could bring back Paul George and James Harden, which would make them a better team than the Lakers.

5. Dallas – Just qualified for the Finals and could have some moves in store to strengthen their team

6. Phoenix – Despite all their injuries and issues last year, they finished higher than the Lakers.

8- New Orleans – Just added Murray, but they still have some moves to make. They also need to stay healthy.

9. Sacramento-Kings nearly made the playoffs last year and should be in the running again. There are also rumors that they are interested in adding initiatives to their team.

10. Golden State – The Warriors might lose Klay Thompson, but they would try to make big moves to strengthen the team around Steph Curry. They are a question mark, though.

11. Houston- The Rockets almost reached play-in last year and are clearly ready to make a run at the playoffs.

12. Utah – Not a playoff team

13. Memphis- The Grizzlies are healthy again and should be a contender in the West.

14. San Antonio – Not yet ready to fight for a playoff spot with Victor Wembanyama, barring a surprise.

15. Portland – Could trade more pieces and become the worst team in the NBA

Looking at the standings, the only teams I can guarantee the Lakers will be better than next year (right now) are Utah, Portland, and San Antonio. Some good teams are going to miss the Western Conference playoffs next season and one of them could be the Lakers, which would put them in the Draft Lottery in what is supposed to be a loaded 2025 draft class.

There could be some big moves that would make the Lakers a lot better, but they’re not clear yet. That could make their pick a very, very good asset for next offseason.