Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Alec Burks

New York Knicks Receive: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Wesley Matthews, LAL 2024 2nd Round Pick

When you look at the talent on this Lakers roster, it is clear to see that they have a bunch of really solid role players, but they do not really have any consistent double-digit bench scorers outside of Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell. 

Both guys are frontcourt players for the Lakers, giving them virtually no legit scoring options on the wing or in the backcourt off-the-bench. This is why Alec Burks would be a huge addition for them and why he could play a big role in the Lakers getting back to the NBA Finals this season. 

Since the start of the 2018-19 NBA season, Burks has been on 6 different teams and if the Lakers were able to acquire him, they would become the 7th team he has been on in the last three seasons. The sharpshooting wing is a very undervalued player across the league and does not get the recognition he deserves.

With the Knicks looking like a legit playoff team in the Eastern Conference this season, they could be unwilling to shake things up roster wise, but Wesley Matthews and Talen Horton-Tucker could be two key impact players for them. 

Matthews signed with the Lakers in the offseason and is shooting over 40% from three-point range this season, making him an interesting veteran talent for the Knicks to add to aid them in their playoff push. He can impact the game on both ends of the court and be a reliable bench player for them. 

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Talen Horton-Tucker on the other hand can not only contribute now, but he can contribute down the road as well. THT is just 20-years old and the Lakers are very high on his impact moving forward, but if they want to get a player like Burks this season, it will likely cost them a player like Horton-Tucker. 

Now, let’s take a closer look as to why this trade makes sense for both the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers.