2016 NBA Trade rumors: LA Lakers sweet on Kentucky Wildcats' Jamal Murray after interview

According to the latest chitchat about the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA trade search, the team has now set their eyes on University of Kentucky Wildcats freshman Jamal Murray, who reportedly amazed the franchise during his interview.

"The Los Angeles Lakers interviewed U.K. guard Jamal Murray Wednesday night and were impressed. Murray will not play or do interviews here," WDRB Sports journalist Rick Bozich tweeted.

Murray is considered one of the top potentials in the 2016 NBA draft picks. If the Lakers take in Murray, NBA trade rumors say that the team might have to let go of shooting guard Jordan Clarkson, based on his performance this season.

Jamal Murray of University of Kentucky Wild Cats has caught the attention of Lakers as a possible NBA trade.Wikimedia Commons/Acdixon

That being said, the Lakers are allegedly expecting Clarkson to step up his game. However, the team is said to have already solidified its plans of trading him for Murray, whose scoring and shooting skills are expected to help bring the Lakers to its former glory.

However, Lakers Nation said that Clarkson won't be affected by the team's NBA trade plans. He may not be going anywhere and is bound to stay in the roster to fortify the team's shooting guard game along with D'Angelo Russell and even Lou Williams.

With that in mind, putting Murray at number three pick should make more sense. With Murray, the Lakers will be rounding up their selections, including Ben Simmons of  the LSU Tigers and Brandon Ingram of Duke Blue Devils, seeing that the team has greater chances landing these two heavyweights.

Meanwhile there are also NBA trade rumors indicating that Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan is looking for a new home in the Lakers.

"He's made it very, very clear that he wants to be in L.A. He has family out there. He's from out there. He wants to be in L.A.," analyst Stephen A. Smith from ESPN's "First Take" said.

"He wants to wear the purple and gold, and if there's a way for it to happen, again he's [unrestricted], if there's a way for it to happen, DeMar DeRozan will be in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform next season," he added.