The trade deadline is fast approaching and the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the more active teams in the coming weeks. The main issue the Lakers have is that they do not possess too many trade assets at the moment. That is, of course, outside of 21-year-old guard Talen Horton-Tucker.

The Lakers aren't going to like THT's current perceived market value from around the league, though. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, LA might be hard-pressed in trying to find a trade partner that will meet their valuation of the 6-foot-4 shooting guard:

Now that the Lakers are looking to improve their roster ahead of the trade deadline, Horton-Tucker is viewed by other teams as a marginal asset. He's still a developing prospect, but he's about $7.7 million more expensive this season than his contemporaries. But the bigger issue for the Lakers, above his salary, is the 21-year-old guard's player option before the 2023-24 season.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers rumors: Rui Hachimura trade ‘more likely than not,’ with a catch
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and center Brook Lopez (11) and guard Damian Lillard (0) on the court during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena
NBA rumors: Exec makes Lakers quip about Bucks star, but it’s not Giannis

The Lakers placed a bet on Horton-Tucker this past summer by extending his deal. THT put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth $32 million, which at that time, felt like good value for money. Unfortunately, the former Iowa State standout hasn't exactly impressed this season. The general expectation was that Horton-Tucker was going to have a breakout campaign now that he's on his third year in the league. That has not been the case, with THT producing averages of 9.9 points (on 40.7 percent shooting), 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 26.1 minutes per game — a slight improvement from his numbers last season, but not enough to really make a significant impact for the Lakers.

LA is looking for some star power towards the trade deadline as they hope to see a significant improvement in their current squad. According to reports, they consider THT to be their main trade chip and they've already created a package centered around him. Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2027 first-round pick have been rumored to be LA's generic offer, which at this point, hasn't found much success around the market.

If the Lakers are intent on trading THT before the February deadline then they may have to lower their asking price. They might not be able to snag the star they initially wanted, but it's still very much possible that they secure a key piece that could help turn their season around.