How This Trade Impacts Los Angeles Lakers

It is hard to imagine the Los Angeles Lakers engaging in trade talks that involve Talen Horton-Tucker after retaining him in free agency. They thought highly enough of him to re-sign him but also wouldn’t include him in trade talks last season.

Horton-Tucker is who the Toronto Raptors wanted in trade negotiations centered around Kyle Lowry. The Lakers took him off the table and no trade was made. So, from that standpoint, it is hard to imagine the team trading him for Norman Powell, who isn’t as impactful of a player as Lowry would have been.

But, for argument’s sake, let’s break it down. The Lakers could decide midseason that they need more help on the wing. Powell would certainly help them in that regard.

He is a bit undersized to be playing small forward, but he is capable of doing it. Slotting into the backcourt as the starting shooting guard would likely be a more ideal spot for him on the Lakers, but he is capable of playing both spots.

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Los Angeles would love the shot creation that he brings to the table. He has developed into an efficient, bonafide scorer the last two seasons, providing another option that can get some points. His 3-point shooting would be a nice addition for the Lakers as well as they struggled from beyond the arc last season.

Trading away Horton-Tucker is difficult to envision, but you can make some sense as to why Los Angeles could be interested in a player such as Powell down the road. Alas, this is likely a deal they would decline, especially with the long-term money they would be taking on in this deal.

Now, let’s take a look at the ramifications of this deal for the Trail Blazers.