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Lakers don’t have nearly enough to trade for Gary Trent Jr.

By Jason Reed

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors puts up a shot over Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round at Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors puts up a shot over Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round at Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to improve the roster in any way possible this offseason, which could include trading Talen Horton-Tucker. While there are certainly some fun possibilities with THT in a trade, Los Angeles is limited in what they can get for the former second-round pick.

One player that has been connected to the Lakers in the past is Toronto Raptors guard, Gary Trent Jr. The Lakers were reportedly interested in Trent during the trade deadline and likely offered the package of THT, Kendrick Nunn and a future first, which they were reportedly shopping around the league.

That never materialized but Trent has potentially once again found himself on the trade market. An Eastern Conference executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy.com that a Trent trade could be something to explore. This prompted Jake Rill of Bleacher Report to break down why the Lakers should pursue Trent again this offseason.

There is just one problem.

The Los Angeles Lakers don’t have nearly enough to trade for Gary Trent Jr.

The best package that the Los Angeles Lakers could offer for Trent is THT, Nunn and a future first-round pick that cannot be cashed in until 2027. Trent can get far more on the trade market and quite frankly, that deal does not really make much sense for Toronto.

The entire reason why the Raptors would be trading Trent in theory is that he has one more year under contract before having a player option for the following season that he will likely opt out of. THT might seem like a long-term play by the Raptors but he really isn’t.

THT has the exact same contract terms remaining on his deal that Trent does. He is under contract for the 2022-23 season and has a player option for the following year. THT could end up opting out and leaving Toronto at the same exact time as Trent, so why would the Raptors trade for the worse player?

Nunn does not have much value since he did not play a single game last season and while that future pick is enticing, the Raptors could get a pick that isn’t so far ahead in the future and could actually get a player who can contribute to the team for longer than just a season.

Obviously, the Lakers should be pursuing this trade but it is such a bad deal for Toronto. The Lakers would essentially be hoping that the Raptors make an ill-advised decision and agree to this trade.

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

NBA teams make some shockingly bad decisions at times, so you cannot fault Rob Pelinka for at least trying. The problem is that the Raptors are one of the smartest organizations in basketball, so it is doubtful that the Lakers will catch them slipping.

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