Updated: January 24, 2022
Talen Horton-TuckerGARY A. VASQUEZ-USA TODAY SPORTS
The Los Angeles Lakers can’t seem to get out of their own way this season.
The team’s roster construction has been highly criticized. Despite having plenty of superstar talent, L.A. hasn’t been able to produce wins on a consistent basis.
As a result, the team seems to be exploring its options on the trade market. Unfortunately, the Lakers don’t have tons of trade chips. A recent report revealed which assets the Lakers are offering teams in trade talks, and it’s a short list.
“They’re calling teams offering a future first, Kendrick Nunn, and Talen Horton-Tucker, who has underwhelmed this season, and no one is biting yet,” wrote Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
Horton-Tucker’s first few games this season were impressive, but since then, he hasn’t been playing at a very high level. Excluding his first three games, he’s averaging just 9.1 points per game on 39.9 percent shooting from the field this season.
The youngster certainly hasn’t taken the leap many folks were hoping for, which is surely impacting his value on the trade market. It remains to be seen if he’ll end up being moved.
As for Nunn, he still hasn’t appeared in a game for the Lakers. If a team wants to trade for him, that organization is going to have to judge him based on his first two NBA seasons with the Miami Heat.
During those two seasons, Nunn averaged 15.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He shot 45.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point land.
Only time will tell if the Lakers find a way to put a deal together using these assets. A splash on the trade market could be what L.A. needs to turn things around this season.
The “yet” gives some hope. Like 3% more hope.
Our assets are not enough to bring in a real difference maker.
I feel the same way, for the most part. However there are some scenarios I can imagine, or as LT might say be optimistic about, in terms of the Lakers being able to snag the last chair the in the game for free agent musical chairs. Timing might be critical on the last day but I’ll be pretty amazed if anything happens until then.
They’ll give everyone with AD as much time as possible, is my thinking. If the defense takes a step up with AD, if we generate better looks and make more open threes with AD that changes a lot about this team. Same goes for if Nunn ever plays for us.
The question could be what could we get for THT, Nunn, Monk, Reaves, and the 2027 FRP?
If that is not enough to get Grant or Turner, then we look to trade just THT for Gordon, Wood, or Turner. We need at least one new starter at the two, three, four, or five.
The problem is this. All the name players are under contract for at least another year. There is zero incentive for a team to trade for a less then desirable return if they can just hold onto that player and try again in summer. As for a smaller trade for a guy like Gordon. I don’t feel that is likely. While it’s easy to forget because he he hasn’t played, Nunn is a very good player. He was okay he talk of the camp before he got hurt. He is now close to returning so unless it’s for a star I suspect they want to see what Nunn can bring. He is much better then Gordon is at this stage of his career. Nunn is a better defender and scorer. Gordon is having a career year from 3 but will it last on this team? As we have seen great 3 point shooters come to the Lakers to die.