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Big Lakers Move Reportedly in the Works as LA Targets Sharpshooter

The Lakers will likely have to make a trade if they have any chance of signing Gary Trent Jr. in free agency.

By Jovan Alford

Apr 12, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and forward LeBron James (23) sit on the bench during a time out during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Apr 12, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and forward LeBron James (23) sit on the bench during a time out during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Lakers offseason has not gone to plan as they’ve seen multiple free agents (Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield) head elsewhere and they’ve struggled to find a trade to land a solid third option to play next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The only notable moves the Lakers have made this offseason are re-signing James to a two-year deal, and drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. That being said, Los Angeles fans will not be happy if those are the only moves the team makes this offseason, especially with a first-time head coach (JJ Redick).

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka likely understands this and is trying to find a way to create space to get one or two impact players for next season. One of the players that’s on their radar is free agent Gary Trent Jr.

Trent Jr. is still on the open market after reportedly declining an offer from the Toronto Raptors, as they were willing to bring him back the veteran “at an annual salary of around $15 million,” per Josh Lewenberg. 

However, Trent’s camp was looking for a deal paying him in the ballpark of $25 million, which would be higher than his player option of $18.5 million.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Thursday that the Lakers “can’t even make a run” at the former Raptors guard until they can create some space with the second luxury tax option. But he adds Los Angeles is “exploring pathways” to shed salary in trades, but that’s not easy to accomplish.

If the Lakers want to shed salary this offseason, the first candidate fans immediately think of is veteran guard D’Angelo Russell. However, Russell accepted his $18.7 million player option last month, making him tough to trade.

The Lakers couldn’t move Russell at the NBA trade deadline and there likely aren’t many teams knocking on Pelinka’s door to acquire him.

Nonetheless, Los Angeles would love to add Trent Jr. to their offense as he’s been one of the better three-point shooters in the Association over the last few years. This past season with the Raptors, the 25-year-old guard scored 13.7 points per game on 42.6 percent shooting from the field and 39.3 percent from deep.

Furthermore, in his four seasons with Toronto, Trent Jr. shot 38 percent from three-point range. The longer Trent stays on the open market without much interest, the better chance the Lakers will get him. But it will take good salary cap management to get the job done.

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