Taryn Horton-Tucker, that's the only realistic way to make a meaningful deal

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a precarious position to make tit-for-tat deals without much flexibility. Currently, 10 of their 15 players have signed minimum contracts. They can't accumulate enough salaries to match meaningful payback salaries – and these aren't young players, and the team is clamoring to get their hands anyway.

There may be one exception: Talen Horton-Tucker.

Tucker, who is worth $9.5 million this season, is one of the Lakers' five non-bottom-wagers, and while his trade value may have declined since this time last season, when he was known as an asset close to premium, he remains in relative demand and is by far the biggest chip the Lakers must play.

In the past, the Lakers have been refusing to trade Horton Tucker. Last season they kept him away from Kyle Lowry's discussions. But they seem to be accepting the reality that they can't make meaningful moves without Horton Tucker, and according to the Los Angeles Times, they're now actively shopping ahead of the Feb. 10 deal deadline.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are trying to get help, though their options appear to be limited. According to people familiar with the matter, the team is in trading discussions with 21-year-old Tarren Horton Tucker. Rival general managers believe the Lakers value Horton Tucker, but they lack the mid-range contracts needed to move up the lineup and understand that no major deals would be made without him.

Another of the Lakers' five non-minimum wages belongs to Kendrick Nunn, who has made $5 million this season. For example, the Lakers could put Nunn and Horton-Tucker together on a minimum contract and meet the salary matching criteria to bring back Jeramie Grant or Harrison Barnes.

It's less certain whether the Pistons or Kings will make such a deal. It will depend on whether other teams with more attractive assets decide to join. For example, if Chicago had Patrick Williams struck a deal with Detroit, my guess would be that he would be a more popular young player than Horton Tucker, who just qualified for the trade on Jan. 15.

But it's all speculation. Now, it sounds like the Lakers are calling with the only real trading chips they have. In the coming weeks, we'll see how far they can go.