During the previous NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers made the seventh-fewest three-pointers per game and the fewest overall. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, they are a “fit” for free agent Gary Trent Jr., who is looking to improve in that and other areas.
From his 2018 debut, Trent Jr. has developed into an above-average player, averaging 13.7 points in the previous season and 17.4 in 2022–2023
“When a team is limited in its resources, one of the most essential aspects of a general manager’s job is the ability to think outside the box,” Ogden wrote on May 22. “For Los Angeles Lakers front office leader Rob Pelinka, that will mean finding players who could be better in the purple and gold than they were at previous stops.
“One of the players who Pelinka should be evaluating in that respect is Toronto Raptors swingman and pending unrestricted free agent Gary Trent Jr.
According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, the Lakers were among the teams interested in Trent Jr. during the 2023-24 trade deadline.
“Gary Trent Jr. is the name most frequently discussed, with the Lakers and Nets among the teams with interest,” Moore wrote.
Los Angeles Lakers ‘Should be Evaluating’ Gary Trent Jr.
Bobby Marks of ESPN broke down a scenario where D’Angelo Russell opted out of his contract. If he opts into his $18.9 million player option, the Los Angeles Lakers would exceed the first apron.
If he didn’t opt-in, the Lakers would have more flexibility, including access to the $12.9 million mid-level exception. Trent Jr. could potentially fit into that $12.9 mid-level exception and be an ideal target due to his scoring abilities.
Trent would likely only be an option if Russell left in free agency, making him a potential replacement.
Maxwell Ogden of FanSided wrote that the Lakers “should be evaluating” Trent Jr.
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