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3 trades the Lakers can make with the Spurs after Dejounte Murray deal

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. Trading for just Josh Richardson

The Los Angeles Lakers should be interested in trading Talen Horton-Tucker for someone who could actually help the team contend for a championship this season. That does not mean that the Lakers should make a bad deal, but they should not be stubborn in who they can get for THT.

It has become clear that the Lakers think THT is more valuable than he really is and in reality, getting a three and D wing such as Josh Richardson would be a solid get for the Lakers. Sure, Richardson has had his moments where he has disappointed, but on paper, he is the literal perfect role player for the Lakers to add.

The reason for trading THT is quite simple. The Lakers are trying to contend for a championship in this ever-shrinking window and THT does not really help that vision. If the 21-year-old was good last season it would be one thing but he was actively bad for the Lakers.

Sure, Horton-Tucker has potential and there is always a concern when trading young players that you will trade away something really special. The problem with that thinking is that Horton-Tucker may not even blossom until he is gone.

He only has two more years left under contract and there is a world in which he doesn’t put it together until he is 25 or 26. By that point, the Lakers would have given up on him already and he will be on another team.

Richardson helps the team by giving an off-ball shooter to help space the floor while also giving a defensive presence that can be as good (if not better) as THT. In return, the Spurs trade one year of a role player for a young player that Gregg Popovich can try and expedite in the league.

Add in the Lakers’ second-round pick in 2024 (which the Spurs have the rights to) and it is a done deal.

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