Because the Los Angeles Lakers just overhauled their roster, they entered 2021-22 training camp with as little trade buzz as any team in the NBA from an importing and exporting standpoint. The Lakers orchestrated the largest blockbuster swap of the summer — a five-teamer that netted them Russell Westbrook — and then surrounded Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis with (ring-chasing) veterans on minimum contracts and a few young guys eager to learn from their surroundings.
The Lakers are way over the luxury tax with negligible future draft capital. LeBron James (and Rob Pelinka) carefully put together the most “win-now” roster ever conceived by man, with chemistry at the forefront (so far, the vibes have been all positive).
Yes, things may not work out, but it's highly unlikely that Pelinka executes any trades anytime soon. In fact, because free-agent signings cannot be dealt for three months, the Lakers are legally unable to trade anyone not named LeBron or Anthony until mid-December.
Lakers fans and morning take-heads will overreact to inevitable growing pains, but the sentiments since free agency indicate that everyone involved understands that this season is going to be a process, and they're willing to sacrifice wins in the short term to have everything sorted out by May and June. There will be no panic trades.
Yet, should things go awry, there are only two players on the roster who are viable outgoing trade candidates with the right combination of on-court value and tradable salary. Coincidentally, both hail from Simeon High in Chicago.
Talen Horton-Tucker, 20, will make $9.5 million this season, the first season in a three-year, $30.8 million deal. The Lakers could have acquired Kyle Lowry for THT last season, to give you a sense of his value.
26-year old Kendrick Nunn has averaged 15.0 PPG through two NBA seasons. He signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Los Angeles.
Notably, both players are repped by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, who have repeatedly shown a willingness to work with the Lakers if they believe a transaction is beneficial to their client(s).
Los Angeles also has a nifty $2.7 million trade exception resulting from the Marc Gasol move. The Lakers have a small handful of future second-rounders in their bag, and cannot trade a first-round pick before 2027.
All that said, here are a couple of names to keep in the back of your mind, just in case.
Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
Ahhh, yes. This guy again.
At this point, a Hield trade seems unrealistic after the Lakers reportedly incensed the Kings before the 2021 NBA draft by leaving them in the cold at the last minute when the Westbrook trade became feasible. Plus, the Lakers dealt the pieces they were ready to ship to Sacto over to D.C. instead.
However, Buddy is worth mentioning, and not just because #LakersTwitter hasn't ceased telling Hield jokes.
If the Lakers shooters don't prove to be difference-makers — and Pelinka can mend fences — the Lakers could attempt to revisit the Hield talks before the February deadline.
A package of THT, Nunn, the 2027 first-round pick, the $2.7 million trade exception, and at least one veteran minimum ($1.7 million) would get the Lakers within a few million of Hield's $22 million figure. In terms of assets, that package would probably entice the Kings, on paper.
Kyle Anderson, Memphis Grizzlies
Whenever the Lakers seem to need a favor, the Grizzlies are there.
In this case, an Anderson deal could make sense for both sides. The 28-year old is in the final year of his $37 million contract and will earn $9.3 million in 2021-22. The youthful Grizzlies may look to recoup value for “Slo-Mo” before he hits free agency.
Anderson is a UCLA product, like Westbrook and Trevor Ariza. He can shuffle between forward spots, and his 3-point numbers ticked up to 36% on 3.8 attempts last season. He has playoff experience from his San Antonio Spurs days, and he has always carried himself like a veteran on and off the court — all qualities that would make him a fit in Los Angeles, at least for a few months.
If, for health or scheme reasons, the Lakers decide they have enough guard depth but want to add versatility to the frontcourt, they could swing this deal rather easily. Nunn, the trade exception, one more veteran, and a second-rounder may get it done. That is food for thought.
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