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The LA Lakers finished 3rd on the Western Conference table to comfortably enter the playoffs. This is the first time the Lakers have directly qualified for the playoffs since the title-winning season of 2020. They made it to the playoffs last season through the play-in tournament. They had their fair share of struggles in this regular season too, but the sensational onboarding of Luka Doncic reaped the results, and they are looking for a deep offseason run. The Lakers will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs.
LA Lakers Can Pursue Nuggets' Jamal Murray
While things are favorable for the Lakers. They possess immense firepower in the form of Luka Doncic and LeBron James duo, yet there are frailties in the side that can jeopardise their season. The front office needs to address the weaknesses in the Lakers side and should come up with an ideal solution. It could be a fresh recruit or a change in the formation. Should they take the former route then as per assertions, someone as capable as Jamal Murray could be for the taking.
The Denver Nuggets are entering the 2025 NBA Playoffs in a similar position to the Lakers after unexpectedly firing GM Calvin Booth and coach Michael Malone. According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Booth had previously considered trading star point guard Jamal Murray in the offseason, which could provide insight into the team's next moves.
"Booth believed the sacrifice of KCP and other, more significant pivots could be necessary to win a second championship. He even explored trades involving Jamal Murray last offseason and Porter during this season, league sources told The Post."
Also Read | NBA Playoff Bracket: Full Schedule, Date, Time, and Streaming Details
How Murray Could Become Available
While Booth is no longer in charge, but if the Nuggets fail to make a deep run through the playoffs, it will be worth ruminating if Murray will become available once again.
The Los Angeles Lakers' future backcourt, featuring Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, will face a major test in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. While they've shown promise together, having a 16-10 record in 26 games, the small sample size leaves questions about their long-term fit. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets, after firing their GM and coach, may consider drastic moves, including potentially trading star point guard Jamal Murray, whom they previously shopped around the league. If the Nuggets fail to make a deep playoff run, Murray's availability could spark interest, particularly given his past trade rumors. The Lakers' own playoff performance will also reveal much about their roster's long-term viability, especially with Reaves eligible for free agency soon.
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