Lakers Get Closer to Big Signing After Latest Development

The Los Angeles Lakers are still the only team in the NBA to not sign a free agent yet. With the best free agents quickly moving off the board, the Lakers need to act quickly to acquire the remaining rotation-caliber players to have a chance to be competitive in the Western Conference next season.

With D'Angelo Russell opting in and LeBron James signing his massive extension, the Lakers don't have much cap space to work with. So, they have to resort to bargain deals or sign-and-trades with the remaining free agents. Fortunately for them, the market for one free agent target has dried up and made him more acquirable for the Lakers.

According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports, the Raptors are "prepared to move on from" Gary Trent Jr, opening the door for the 25-year-old to sign with the Lakers.

Free Agent Gary Trent Jr. Now Available for the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers' interest in Trent Jr. was already reported last week. However, there were concerns about whether the Lakers would be able to afford him but the latest reporting suggests that they should be able to.

"Now, with the market drying up, one league insider suggested Trent would be “lucky” to get the mid-level exception, valued at $12.5 million. A few reports have linked him to the Lakers, where it’s possible he could only earn half of that."

- Josh Lewenberg, TSN Sports

The reason for the lack of interest in Trent Jr. is the down year he just had in Toronto. Only making 42.6% of his field goal attempts, Trent averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He doesn't do much more than shoot three-pointers but considering that shooting is the No. 1 need for the Lakers, he would be an excellent fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

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