As the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade deadline approaches, rumors have been circulating that the team is open to a number of high-quality trade options.
There have been rumors that the Lakers are interested in trading for Gary Trent Jr.
The aforementioned Gary Trent Jr. is a top candidate for a trade. The two-guard from the Toronto Raptors would be a great addition for the Los Angeles Lakers, both this year and in the future.
As a result of Toronto’s high asking price, Trent never seemed like a realistic trade candidate. That is not true, according to a recent study. Michael Grange, a Raptors beat writer for Sportsnet, said that Trent could fetch a protected first-round pick and two solid second-round selections in a trade.
League sources say Gary Trent JR.'s value is likely a protected first or a TWO good second round picks. (Via @michaelgrange)
Rob & Klutch, call it in brother. pic.twitter.com/ppP8fXYn0K
— Omar Siddiqi (@osid24) February 1, 2023
The Los Angeles Lakers should immediately call up and make a deal if this is Trent’s asking price. Raptors fans might think this is too low, but Toronto isn’t negotiating from strength.
After this season, Trent will become a free agent thanks to a player option. Toronto must compensate Fred VanVleet for Bird Rights on Trent, which they do not own (as well as future Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes extensions). If Trent decides to opt out of his contract, he will likely leave in free agency.
Assuming Toronto is a portent of things to come, it would be prudent to uproot him for some reason. The issue is that other teams are aware of this, reducing Toronto’s bargaining power and resulting in the current market price.
The Lakers can offer Toronto a second-round selection that is projected within the top 40. Even if they have to package it with a protected first round pick in 2027, the team should do it, even though future second round picks are not as valuable.
The Lakers would receive a promising young player and have some protection in case they end up in the lottery by keeping the pick rather than sending it directly to Toronto. Trent is someone who has the potential to help the team immediately and also be used as a cornerstone for future success.
If Los Angeles were to acquire Trent’s Bird Rights, they could offer him a contract worth more than the league maximum. Despite his lack of all-star caliber, he would be a terrific addition to the Lakers as a third scoring option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the next four seasons.
More importantly, at age 24, he has plenty of time to make the necessary improvements to his game to become an all-star player.
The team’s ownership and front office have been notoriously miserly with their two first-round selections up to this point, but this is not the time to be frugal. Trading for Trent with a safe first is brilliant.
