The Lakers haven't been in good shape this season, they're far from meeting expectations at the start of the season, and as a Big Three team, they're only seventh in the West this season, which is a bit disappointing. So after the downturn in early season, the Lakers seem to have been looking for a trade, whether it is Westbrook, or Anthony Davis, the rumors about the Lakers' trade have never stopped!
Recently, according to NBA reporter Michael Scotto, sources revealed that the Lakers have been conducting research in the league and have expressed interest in Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. If Trent can be traded to the team, then it is also a big reinforcement for the Lakers! And the Lakers are likely to send out Horton Tucker and Nunn as the main chips!
So far this season, Trent has played in 33 games for the Raptors, averaging 34 minutes per game, and has 16.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists, shooting 42.1% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. He is the fourth-highest average of points per game for the Raptors, just below the averages of VanVleet, Siakam and Anunoby. And this season, there have been many games that have reached more than 20 points, and the offensive firepower is no problem!
Trent's contract with the team is a three-year, $51.84 million contract signed in the summer of 2021, his salary this season is $16 million, and he is only 22 years old at the moment, with very good potential. The lakers can get their hands on the chips is the draft pick and Tucker Jr., tucker Jr. has a salary of $9.5 million this season, and Nunn has a salary of $5 million this season, which is basically a deal that can match Trent.
But for the Lakers, trading a guard actually needs to be considered, the team currently has Westbrook, Munch, Horton Tucker, Bradley, Ellington, Reeves, Bazemore, Mason Jones and Nunn 9 guard players, if you trade Trent with Nunn and Tucker, the team still has 8 guards! Does the team really not consider trading a striker with Tucker Jr., the only chip he can get his hands on?