The Los Angeles Lakers’ current best asset, aside from their superstars, is 21-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker (THT) who they’ve drafted and developed over the past couple of years. THT is a young wing and combo forward who has the knack of getting to the rim and has shown flashes of his talent on both sides of the floor.
However, the catch is that he’s still learning the ropes around the league and that’s something the Lakers can’t afford especially since they have to maximize LeBron James’ championship window. And that is why THT is the best asset for the Lakers to acquire a need their roster desperately needs. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer even reported that THT and Kendrick Nunn are two of the most appealing assets the Lakers currently have.
That said, here are 3 best packages the Lakers can at least entertain for THT.
THT for Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant
It’s not the best superstar name the Lakers might want but Grant fills a need the team has been looking for in their roster. Grant is a wing and two-way player who can be counted on in the playoffs. H showed out with the Denver Nuggets during the bubble and has had All-Star-like games with the Detroit Pistons. He’s the perfect wing to add to a roster built around James and Anthony Davis.
And another reason why this trade could work is because the Pistons are a rebuilding team that is set to develop young players in the next following years. This is the perfect scenario for THT especially if Detroit believes in his potential as much as the Lakers do.
THT for Atlanta Hawks forward Cam Reddish
A lot of Lakers fans have been divided with this trade scenario and rightfully so. The main reason why Reddish would work is because he’s also a wing that has proven he can shoot — something that THT has yet to master. And what do the Lakers need right now in their roster that’s lacking space? More shooters hence why THT still might not be the perfect fit for the purple and gold. Reddish also brings size and formidable defense to the Lakers. He could help take the load off Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza when he finally returns.
THT for Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes
This trade will have to include more in the package but Barnes might just be the stretch big the Lakers need, especially with Davis’ recent shooting slump. Barnes seems like a long shot for L.A. but if the Kings are entertaining trade talks for him then why not? Maybe this is another way the Lakers can also acquire Buddy Hield, who they were close to acquiring before Russell Westbrook in the off-season.
Barnes is in the midst of a solid campaign for the Kings, averaging 17.4 points and 6.7 rebounds on 38% shooting from downtown. He's a career 37% three-point shooter as well and this would undoubtedly come in handy for the Lakers. Sacramento's backcourt is quite congested already though with De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Hield, and Davion Mitchell. You'd have to think one of these four would be included in a deal as well along with other pieces that the Lakers throw in. A third team could be involved in a deal like this.
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