The Los Angeles Lakers have definitely not played their usual style of basketball this season, as they are in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 24-27.

The Lakers have struggled this season for a variety of reasons, one of which is their inability to remain healthy. Although their health is not their only problem, it is undoubtedly a contributing factor in why they haven't been playing the caliber of basketball that everyone expects from the Purple & Gold.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, if they do not win a championship in the next few seasons, all they have done in the previous few years will be a big failure and will hurt the franchise. They have constructed their squad around several players who are in the older stages of their careers and they really don't have many young players in their roster.

The Lakers have been rumored to be interested in trading Talen Horton-Tucker, and it makes sense. Let's take a look at the four best deals the Lakers might make for THT.

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Best Lakers trades for Talen Horton-Tucker

Lakers get: Buddy Hield

Kings get: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, DeAndre Jordan, Kent Bazemore, 2027 first round pick

The Lakers attempted to complete a deal to get Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield last season, but it fell through when they chose to trade for Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards instead. It did make sense for the Lakers at the time because they believed that combining Wesbtook with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis would make them practically unstoppable. Almost everyone who follows the NBA believed the same thing heading into the season, since a team that has three players who can take over a game at any time generally succeeds.

The Lakers have had a number of concerns this season, the most noticeable of which might be their three-point shooting. They don't hit the three-point shot too often, and there are instances when there is no spacing on the court with some of their lineups. Hield may be having a down year in terms of his efficiency from beyond the arc, but he is still one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA, and if this is the trade that would bring someone who can shoot the three-point shot at an elite level, the Lakers must make it happen.

Lakers get: Goran Dragic

Raptors get: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, DeAndre Jordan

There have been several rumors that the Toronto Raptors are attempting to trade Goran Dragic, and it appears that he will be dealt before the trade deadline. This may be the ideal opportunity for the Lakers to add another elite shooter without having to give up a future first round pick. If the Lakers can get a three-point shooter with the ability to spread the floor like Dragic, they might be one of the top teams in the NBA, like everyone predicted.

Add in the fact that, as we saw with the Miami Heat a few seasons ago, he came up for them in the NBA Playoffs and was making huge shots all over the place, so the Lakers don't have to worry about him not doing well in the postseason.

Lakers get: Marcus Smart

Celtics get: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, 2027 first round pick

This is a fascinating one because it is possibly the most storied rivalry in sports. The Lakers and the Boston Celtics are two of the most renowned clubs in NBA history, and a transaction between them just doesn't seem right. If both of them believe they can improve, it is probable that they will set their disagreements aside for this occasion. The Lakers don't have a lot of depth at the guard position, and there have been some concerns about whether Westbrook should be the starting point guard.

Bringing in Marcus Smart would allow the offense to do a few different things while also assisting the squad on the defensive end. He is one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA, something the Lakers need.

The Lakers have been one of the NBA's worst defensive teams this season, so bringing in a player who can defend at a high level is something they'll be searching for. With all the things Smart can provide to a team, this deal may make perfect sense.

Lakers get: Jerami Grant

Pistons get: Talen Horton-Tucker, DeAndre Jordan, Kent Bazemore, Kendrick Nunn 

The Detroit Pistons and Jerami Grant have made it clear that they intend to clinch a deal before the trade deadline this year. This may not be what the Pistons are looking for in terms of replacing Grant, but it might be fascinating since they will be getting two younger players who could one day be strong players in the league.

The Lakers may potentially include a first round pick that they have, and it's possible that the Pistons are more interested in it.