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Fact or fiction on 3 “dream” trades for the Los Angeles Lakers

By Jason Reed

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Russell Westbrook #0 and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up on the court before the NBA preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Russell Westbrook #0 and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up on the court before the NBA preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Lakers “dream” trade no. 3: Flipping Talen Horton-Tucker for Kelly Olynyk

This trade proposal is not complicated at all. The Los Angeles Lakers would flip Talen Horton-Tucker for Kelly Olynyk straight-up. That is it. No other contracts are thrown in to make it match or no assets are included by either side to make the value right. Just a one-for-one swap.

I know that 90% of Lakers fans who read this article are instantly going to say no to this trade and think that it is an awful deal for the Los Angeles Lakers and I get it. THT is someone who fans have banked on being a legitimate asset in the future and fans always tend to overvalue their own guys.

But at the end of the day, THT probably does not have as much value as fans think. LA was unable to trade him at the deadline and he was one of the most inefficient offensive players in the league last season.

Sure, he is young with potential and some teams might bank on that, but he is also making over $10 million next season. That is a lot to pay someone just for their potential and is not yet contributing on a consistent basis to help win basketball games.

Olynyk might not be the best player that the team could get for THT but he is still a solid one. He would be a nice big to put next to Anthony Davis and LeBron James as he can space the floor while still playing quality defense. He would definitely be better for LA than Dwight Howard.

Next. Westbrook and the 10 worst trades in franchise history. dark

Honestly, flipping two years of THT for two years of Olynyk may not be the worst thing. Sure, the Lakers would be punting on his potential but by the time his potential finally blossoms his contract might be over and he might be out of LA anyway.

Verdict: Fact

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