As part of their due diligence exploring the trade market, the Lakers have expressed interest in Raptors wing Gary Trent Jr., league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The Lakers could theoretically put together an offer for Trent, who is earning $16MM, using Talen Horton-Tucker as the primary salary-matching piece. However, there has been no indication that the Raptors want to move on from the former Duke standout, who is one of Toronto’s most-used players (32 starts, 34.0 MPG), most reliable three-point shooters (.368 3PT%), and most active defenders (1.9 steals and 3.5 deflections per game).
Scotto acknowledges that a deal between the two teams appears unlikely for the time being.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Scotto also confirmed on the latest HoopsHype Podcast that the Lakers have made DeAndre Jordan and Kent Bazemore available, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported last week. According to Scotto, the Lakers aren’t interested in attaching a draft pick to move either player, so they’d likely need to use cash to grease the wheels if teams aren’t interested in Jordan or Bazemore on their own. Los Angeles can still trade up to $4,435,000 in cash during the 2021/22 league year.
- Malik Monk has been a bright spot for an up-and-down Lakers team recently, averaging 20.0 PPG on .523/.475/.900 shooting in his last eight games. However, the better he plays, the more challenging it will be for L.A. to bring him back. As Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report outlines, unless they dip into their mid-level exception, the Lakers will be limited to offering Monk a Non-Bird raise of just 20% more than his minimum salary when he hits free agency.
- Like teammate Carmelo Anthony has done in recent years, Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook has been asked to accept a lower-usage role this season and is still adjusting to it, writes Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group. Westbrook’s 27.9% usage rate would be high for most players, but it’s the first time since 2009/10 that he’s registered a number below 30%.
Why would the Raptors trade Trent for THT? lol. Lakers are delusional. They think teams should just do them favors.
The Lakers want everyone… I dont even know why people keep reporting on this stuff when we all know they cant get any of the players they “want” with the assets they have.
There are two moves here. One ride it out and rethink which vet mins you want next summer (maybe a couple below 32), or two blow it up and trade AD/LBJ. Nobody will take Westbrick, although I would have said the same before the Lakers idiotically traded for him, and the team sold all future assets in the AD trade.
Its like when LBJ thought he could somehow exert influence this summer to get Dame. He could want to bring Dame in all he wants, POR would never trade Dame if he wanted out for what LA could give…
The problem are these reports wich are total nonsense. G. Trent, wich i really like, its impossible to get for the Lakers, THT is half his value and they don’t have any value to attach for him.
I don’t get why you say the LBJ and Lillard thing…. “when LBJ thought”?? based on what? stop those things, please.
I think the Lakers can get a chance if AD comes back healthy and motivated, wich are both big IFS at this point, but the most likely they will get out in the first or second round. I will try to move AD and LBJ next year if they don’t reach at least WCF this year.
It has been widely reported that LBJ/AD met with Dame to recruit him before they met with Westbrick. It is laughable that they thought if Dame requested a trade they could strong arm POR to take no future assets in a rebuild move. Dame has multiple years left and no leverage to demand a destination, and 6ers would have offered Simmons/Maxey + picks for Dame at the time. There is no possible way to get Dame to LAL!…!
If both LBJ/AD are healthy simultaneously they are a good team, but with the supporting cast, and ways you can scheme against the weaknesses in a series do you really like there chances vs a 1 or 2 seed.
I dont believe they can stay healthy, let them prove me wrong. They have zero cap space, almost no up and coming young talent of value, and no tradable draft picks for a half decade. They made the all in move, and got a ship, but then they made a bad trade. They can ride it out till Bron demands out or try to accelerate the rebuild now.
Bron will be forced to leave at the end of his deal if his stated desire to play with his son is to be achieved. There will be no guarantee that LAL can draft him if he is the real deal and goes 1st round, but Brons contract ends the year he is in the draft so he can sign with the team that lands him if he wants.
Those were just reports, and if they met with those intentions Dame was the one to “blame” (if there is any) because he knows better his situation and Portland front office. They will be always a ton of rumors around big market teams and generational talent players like LBJ, don’t get mad because of it LoL.
I agree on the health concerns, that’s why i pointed out the AD “ifs”, health and motivation. LBJ is playing at an insane lvl for his age and still they are not gonna have home court advantage. But if AD gets better and Nunn is healthy they could reach WCF, i don’t see them reaching the finals sadly.
That being said, LBJ and AD will still have value next season, it will be wise for the Lakers to trade them if things don’t get better. The RW trade killed their flexibility to reconstruct around the two main stars.
The “report” was Dame describing the meeting in an article. That s*** happened.
Sure they still have value later, but LBJ is ballin out right now so if they struggle between now and the deadline you could get a lot for him currently. Less if he ends the year injured by pushing to hard trying to single handedly carry a team. I wonder how long AD really is out for too since he is a bit brittle.
There is zero chance LBJ is traded mid season unless he asks for, wich seems super super unlikley. Those kind of players are only moved if they ask for.
Well that about settles that, thanks for the inside edition champ.
I’ve been saying it all season that the lakers should tras AD. Maybe for someone like Tatum. It’s worth a shot
Trading AD would feel wishywashy, like surrendering. Lakers waited for him, broke rules.
I guess nobody has NTCs— no-trade clauses— in their contract anymore, so trading LJ is possible. That would shake everyone up!
I bet they do okay in the playoffs, make r2. But that’s it.
This trade would work
Lakers receive: Gary Trent Jr. and Yuta Watanabe
Raptors receive K. Nunn, T. Horton-Tucker, 2nd rounder (future), and DeAndre Jordan.
Yeah if the Lakers GM was running both FO in some KC A’s/Yankees situation.
Why would the Raps want to do that trade? What do they get that helps this season or next?
Maybe im too high on Trent but i don’t think the Lakers can offer a fair trade for him. Toronto will have to be on drugs to take that deal.
Kendrick Nunn hasn’t played this season so he has no value in a trade, deandre Jordan would need something attached for a team to even consider wasting money on his salary, THT is nowhere near what Trent is and they are similar ages and 1 second rounder, every single team in the NBA could and would beat the offer in 1 second
Why would raptors want this???
Yeah if Pelinka drugged Massai Ujiri or put a gun to his head. lol. Only way this awful trade happens.
Sillivan burner account?
Gary Trent Jr is only 22 and he is already a lights out shooter and an amazing defender. He is so underrated
Damn! Kid must’ve had some great training growing up! Good for him!
Bright future.
Powell is a good player, but bad fit and has more money committed. yet another bad choice by POR. They are so lucky Olshey is gone. They are a dumpster fire outside of the choice to draft Dame/CJ when they did.
I’ve never understood why Portland traded Trent for Powell, both are undersized but Trent is the better defender of the two.
At the time Portland though Powell could be a better sixth man for a playoff run. More reliable and consistent production. Also some positional versatility, could play SG/SF.
But they never gave Trent much of an opportunity and never used him correctly. Was a very smart move by Toronto to grab him. All the Raptors need now is a exciting young centre.
They should be asking what’s the price on James Wiseman
Nobody cares about Portland or Raptors lol. Lakers will win another Chip before those 2 teams hahaha
Why sign THT if they are just going to trade him
Massai makes some very smart moves.
Gary Trent Jr. is with Klutch.
LeGM owns Klutch.