Why the Los Angeles Lakers could say yes to this trade:
There does not have to be as big of a case to be made for the Los Angeles Lakers as the Sacramento Kings for this trade package. The Lakers would be getting the better end of this package when it comes to talent for the upcoming season. That is the reason why the Lakers would say yes.
As much potential as Talen Horton-Tucker has, there is a chance that the Lakers don’t even see that potential blossom in LA anyway. He is only under contract for two more years at the most and he is still only 21 years old. If he does not come around until he is 24 or 25 then that will likely happen on whatever team signs him after his Lakers tenure.
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The Lakers have to worry about the season they have in front of them. Winning a championship with Russell Westbrook on the team is still going to be a massive hurdle to overcome but the Lakers have to be maximizing the talent they have (without jeopardizing the future).
Because THT is only here for two more years guaranteed, trading him for one season of Barnes is not really jeopardizing the future. If THT was an impactful role player it would be one thing but he wasn’t that for LA last season.
A first-round pick is completely off the table, thus the Lakers would likely have to package two second-round picks to make this happen. It would be worth it, though, as the Lakers would be getting the perfect wing to play alongside Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.