Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Kendrick Nunn, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Gary Trent Jr.
Here’s a thought experiment. You are a mad scientist. You’ve developed a machine that lets you produce fully customized NBA players. In this strange, dystopian future, you’ve been tasked with developing a guard who complements LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
That guard probably looks a lot like Gary Trent Jr. After all, he’s one of the best 3-and-D guards in the entire league. Trent doesn’t need the ball to be effective. On the other hand, Russell Westbrook very much does. For that reason alone, Trent Jr. is an ideal target for the Lakers.
After all, James may have value off the ball, but he’s clearly maximized with it in his hands as well. That was effectively the reason for the Lakers’ disappointing 2021-22 season: James’ fit with Westbrook. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say that Westbrook’s fit with James was problematic.
The main draw for the Toronto Raptors here may be the first-round pick. The Lakers’ 2027 selection is a premium asset. With so much uncertainty surrounding this team, it’s nearly impossible to predict where they’ll be in five years.
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In fact, trading away that pick is a significant risk for this organization. We just saw them convey the 8th overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the upcoming draft. Is Trent Jr. worth that risk for the purple-and-gold?
