Detroit Pistons Receive: F Talen Horton-Tucker
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Kelly Olynyk
Los Angeles Lakers fans may be disappointed again here. They would probably hope to see Jerami Grant’s name. They may need to keep dreaming.
After all, he’ll be one of the most sought-after commodities in this year’s trade market. Attaching their 2027 first-round pick may get them in the running, but even then, someone may offer a more valuable draft pick or intriguing, proven young NBA player.
On the other hand, Kelly Olynyk should be a realistic target for the Lakers even without attaching sweeteners. Don’t sell him short: the Canadian big man is only a year removed from averaging 19.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over 27 games as a member of the Houston Rockets.
Granted, the Rockets were tanking. Those numbers probably don’t provide a fair reflection of Olynyk’s expected output. They still show that he’s capable of impressive production.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Surprising Lakers Russell Westbrook Trade Suitor
As a floor-spacing big man with a surprisingly adept handle and some secondary playmaking chops, he’d make a suitable frontcourt partner with Anthony Davis.
Meanwhile, the Pistons probably have no use for him at this stage in their rebuild. This deal nets them a wing on franchise player Cade Cunningham’s timeline. If Horton-Tucker hits, they strike gold. If he misses, the cost of a 30-year-old role-playing center was minimal in the first place.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Surprising Lakers Russell Westbrook Trade Suitor
After the season he’d just had, the Lakers shouldn’t expect a king’s ransom for Horton-Tucker’s services. If they can acquire solid veterans for their rotation, that would be a success.
