Jerami Grant trade scenario
The Los Angeles Lakers trade virtually every single asset they have not named LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Malik Monk, or Russell Westbrook to hopefully land themselves the key piece that they believe will push them over the top in the chase for the NBA title.
In Talen Horton-Tucker, the Detroit Pistons get a young wing who has immense potential on both ends of the floor.
THT can score, pass, rebound, and defend extremely well for his age. Knowing the Laker’s luck, THT will make the move to Detroit and become a bonafide star next to Cade Cunningham.
This has happened to numerous Lakers’ young players including Thomas Bryant, Ivica Zubac, Julius Randle, Kyle Kuzma, Larry Nance Jr, Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Lonzo Ball, and now potentially Talen Horton-Tucker.
It is now time for the greater NBA community and the Lakers front office to start valuing the Laker’s young players as potentially viable stars and not just a means to an end in search of a single championship.
Horton-Tucker’s potential is immense and a team like the Detroit Pistons will take on THT and land a high lottery pick and add significant young talent to a depleted roster for minimal cost.
Kendrick Nunn also adds an experienced point guard off the bench, who at worst will serve as someone who can serve as a mentor for Cunningham.
Nunn has been to the finals and knows what it takes as a professional to get to the highest level. If Nunn signs on for the final year of his contract, the Pistons will land themselves a potential 6th man of the year candidate.
Few point guards in today’s NBA can catch fire as quickly as Nunn. His lightning-quick first step as well as his ability to rise up in the face of a defender is elite and hard to stop in the flow of play.
The Lakers also part ways with a 1st round pick in 2027 which has the potential to be quite valuable after LeBron’s James’ retirement.
While the overall NBA community will be quick to say the Lakers aren’t giving enough, one keen fact should remain.
The Lakers give a potential young star in THT, they give a future pick which is valuable and they also remove a considerable amount of cap space if Nunn does not take up his player option.
So why should the Los Angeles Lakers do this trade