The New York Knicks acquired OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn, and Precious Achiuwa from the Toronto Raptors for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a future second-round pick on Saturday, in what was reportedly the first major trade of the 2023–24 season. The Los Angeles Lakers may be directly impacted by this first domino to fall.
Since the In-Season Tournament, the Lakers have had difficulties, and LeBron James has been outspoken about the team’s situation. It would be shocking if the Lakers didn’t add someone to the rotation this season through trade at this point.
It looks like a fire sale is taking place up north after Toronto traded one of its best players to the Knicks. In order to strengthen the rotation this season, the Lakers may be able to take advantage of the situation by making a cheap trade for a sharpshooter.
The Lakers may be interested in a home run trade for Gary Trent Jr.
Gary Trent Jr.’s contract with Toronto is about to expire, and if the team decides against re-signing him, then Toronto will Given that Toronto must now pay RJ Barrett and probably re-sign Immanuel Quickley, it makes sense for the Raptors to acquire him.
Trent had a difficult start to the season despite being one of the league’s best three-point shooters in recent years. The Lakers may be able to acquire him for a low cost because of his struggles and the fact that his contract is about to expire. The exchange might appear like this:
D’Angelo Russell does not have a long-term future with the Lakers, as evidenced by the way the team has treated him. It would be shocking if he wasn’t traded before the deadline at this rate.
The Raptors would receive two second-round picks and Jalen Hood-Schifino as the primary rewards in this trade. Russell is only included in the deal in order to make money, and because he has a player option for the 2024–2025 season, he might not even make it past this season. Even if he chooses to stay in his contract, Toronto could use him as future trade bait because his contract expires the following season.
With Quickley, Scottie Barnes, and Dennis Schroder on the roster, Russell doesn’t really belong on this Raptors team. Therefore, it wouldn’t be shocking if he waived his player option in order to negotiate a buyout. In any case, his only motivation for entering the agreement is to maximize the profit.
Without him, the Lakers would probably be alright. The team will have a guard to play the point when Gabe Vincent eventually returns because they aren’t starting a point guard anyhow. Trent would join the team and provide the Lakers with a much-needed perimeter shooting presence. He has also proven to be a capable defensive player.
