Lakers can add the perfect wing in potential Talen Horton-Tucker trade

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his charging foul during a 122-114 Los Angeles Lakers win over the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on January 04, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his charging foul during a 122-114 Los Angeles Lakers win over the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on January 04, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE
3 of 3
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Why the Sacramento Kings could say yes:

It is unlikely that the Sacramento Kings are going to be out shopping Harrison Barnes during the offseason. For this trade to happen, it would likely take some pressure from Barnes and his agent. That is certainly possible considering he is playing for the lowly Kings, after all.

If Barnes does show his desire to be traded then the Kings should be trading him now when they can get the most value for him. This trade package from the Lakers may not seem like the most value but when you look at the rest of the league and what Barnes offers, it might be the best they can get.

Because Barnes’ contract is where it is, the Kings are not going to be able to get much youth in return for Barnes without attaching another horrible contract to it. There are very few young players like THT that have the kind of contract that he has and are also expendable by their team.

Every fan wants to make sure that their team gets the absolute best return for any player that they trade but this return is right along the lines of what the league would probably give up for Barnes. Heck, the Portland Trail Blazers got far less for Robert Covington and Norman Powell when they traded them, albeit that was at the deadline.

THT may not have played well in LA but he still undoubtedly has potential and Kendrick Nunn would add backcourt depth to the bench. THT can be more of an off-ball wing that focuses on defense and slashing to the rim and that would suit him much better than his current role in LA.