Recently, according to the Los Angeles Times reporter Dan Woike and Brad Turner jointly reported, according to sources familiar with the situation, the Lakers are peddling guard Tarren Horton Tucker in the deal discussions. Tucker currently has a 3-year, $30.78 million contract that expires in 2024, with player options for the 2023-24 season. So far this season, Tucker has averaged 27.4 minutes per game, 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
It is reported that the Lakers have now reached the point of "madness" in order to strengthen the lineup, basically except for James and Davis, no one is untradable. According to the two reporters, although the Lakers management values Tucker very much, they also know that they have no other valuable trading chips besides Tucker, so they have to do so. According to people familiar with the matter, the team is in talks with 21-year-old Tarren Horton Tucker for a deal. "Horton Tucker got meaningful playing time in his second season. Last season, he gave us a lot of inspiration, in large part due to his strong ability to impact the basket and convert the basket.
In addition, Eric Pincus said that although the Lakers have designed the deal Bency, Grant. Turner's plan, but teams may not have enough assets to complete the deal, and they're more likely to get Eric Gordon of the Rockets and T-Rose of the Magic — provided both teams are willing to get Tucker. It is reported that the Lakers management is more inclined to seek a trade from the Rockets, getting the latter's Gordon.
Since the start of the season, Gogo has averaged 14.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists, shooting 50.5% from the field, 45.5% from the outside, and averaging 2.4 three-pointers per game. As an important member of the Rockets' magic ball system that year, Gordon knows the small ball tactics very well and is also good at fast attack, which is very compatible with the Lakers and can well complement the Rockets' projection and offensive rhythm. It is worth mentioning that he can defend from the first position to the fourth position, and this kind of player who can attack and defend is what any championship team wants.
The Lakers have formed a luxurious big six lineup this season, but the current team only has a record of 22 wins and 22 losses, which can be said to be very unsatisfactory, coupled with Westbrook, James and Thick Brow's salary has basically locked the Lakers' trading operation space, they want to trade to have combat effectiveness when the star is almost impossible, the only way is to pick up the leak from the rotten team, and Gordon is the biggest leak.
Most Lakers-related deals require Nunn and Tucker to join in, and the Lakers may also need to be paired with players such as Jordan Jr., Bazemore, Ellington, and possibly even Warcraft Howard, provided they can get an inside big man as a supplement. Therefore, the Lakers are willing to send Tucker + Howard + Bazemore + Jordan Jr. in the Rockets' deal for Gordon, and the three Lakers have long discussed the value of their trade.
If the deal can be reached, the Lakers' lineup can be said to have reached a great reinforcement, Westbrook's shooting ability will also be weakened by the addition of Gordon, and the offensive firepower of James and Davis can also be enhanced. The Lakers are expected to return to the championship race.