The Los Angeles Lakers, currently one game under .500, are scouring the trade market for upgrades ahead of the Feb. 10 deadline. Unfortunately for LeBron James, Rob Pelinka, and co. — and as a consequence of their own roster-building approach — they don't have many valuable assets in their cabinet.
LeBron and Anthony Davis (we think) are untouchable. Nobody (we think) is going to want Russell Westbrook's $47 million contract for 2022-23. The majority of their roster is comprised of minimum-salaried players.
As you've probably read ad naudseam, the Lakers tradable pieces consist of 21-year old Talen Horton-Tucker (earning $9.5 million this season), Kendrick Nunn ($5 million, with a $5 million player option for next season), and either their 2027 or 2028 first-round pick (they can't deal both or anything before, per the Stepien Rule).
The Lakers also have a slew of second-round picks and $4.4 million worth of trade exceptions to help any trades cross the finish line.
Here's the other complicating factor: the value of those aforementioned “assets” is a hotly debated topic in NBA circles, based on various reporting. Horton-Tucker's third season has been underwhelming (thumb surgery and a stint in COVID-19 protocols didn't help) and his ceiling remains impossible to gauge. Nunn, 26, has not played yet this season due to a lingering bone bruise in his knee (he's expected back before the deadline). The first-rounders will come after LeBron has moved on, but the Lakers can re-tool on the fly and remain competitive.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zIWCJzCaQN8MNkj6CE5Ss?si=acd6388097964ba3
All that said, the Lakers may not be able to swing a deal for near-star talent at the deadline, such as Ben Simmons, Myles Turner, or Jerami Grant. Instead, they may have to aim a bit lower.
Here's the latest scooping from Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus:
While the Los Angeles Lakers have designs on Simmons, Turner and Grant, the franchise may not have enough to get a deal done. Westbrook's contract is all but unmovable. Talen Horton-Tucker hasn't taken a step forward in his third season. A more likely market for the Lakers might be Terrence Ross of the Orlando Magic or Eric Gordon of the Rockets, provided either team wants to take a flyer on Horton-Tucker as a prospect.
In a vacuum, both players make sense for the Lakers. Ross, 30, would provide an infusion of athleticism and play-making on the wing, and his contract is utterly reasonable ($12.5 million in 2021-22, $11.5 million next season). Gordon, 33, who averages 18.3 points per 36 minutes and is a 37.2% career three-point shooter, would instantly become the Lakers fourth (third?) best player.
However, parting with THT (and possibly the first-round pick) for either player would sting. The Lakers' goal is to win a championship, full stop. Ultimately, does either player truly move the needle?
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