Gary Trent Jr., UFA
Easily the most intriguing option on this list, Gary Trent Jr. is somehow still an unrestricted free agent. A sharpshooting wing who has shown flashes of defensive excellence, Trent could be the 3-and-D player that the Los Angeles Lakers need along the perimeter.
Similar to when Malik Monk signed a one-year deal with the Lakers in 2021, Trent could land in Los Angeles and rebuild his reputation to earn more money next summer.
Trent, 25, is expected to sign with a new team as the Toronto Raptors prepare to move forward without him, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN. The Lakers could realistically create the taxpayer mid-level exception, which would enable them to make an offer starting at $5.168 million.
Los Angeles could sign Trent to as long as a three-year contract starting at that figure, but it's more likely that it'd be able to convince him to sign a one-year prove-it deal.
If that works out, the Lakers would be adding an explosive shooting threat who can get hot at any moment. He's averaged 16.2 points and 2.7 three-point field goals made on 38.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc over the past four seasons, recording 19 30-point games and three 40-point eruptions during that time.
If not the mid-level exception, then the Lakers would be wise to pursue a sign-and-trade that could bring Trent to Los Angeles on a long-term deal.