Insider Hints at Possible Lakers Trade That Will Make LA Fans Go Crazy

The Los Angeles Lakers may get really aggressive in the trade market. If they want to go after a big name, they will have to get rid of Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker. In an episode of ESPN’s The Jump, Ramona Shelburne said the Lakers may use these two fan-favorites as trade chips if they can’t wait until the buyout market.

“If the Lakers want to upgrade at that five spot, and they face competition for a couple of centers that might be available,” Shelburne said. “If you don’t want to wait and see who’s available on the buyout market then you could get creative. Maybe they have a couple of young players that people like, Talen Horton-Tucker, Alex Caruso. I know Lakers fans will freak out if I even say those names because everybody loves them.”

Lakers to trade away some of their players

Shelburne said she believes the front office will exercie patience. In other words, Caruso and THT may not go anywhere.

“I think the L.A. teams probably end up just getting the guys on the buyout market because the Lakers had pretty good success last year doing that with Markieff Morris.”

Caruso is an excellent player. His value goes at $2.75 million and the Lakers may not get something suitable in return. THT’s deal is even more challenging. His salary goes at $1.5 million.

Caruso will probably get a pay raise as he enters free agency in the offseason. according to Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, Caruso is “one of our best players.”

“He’s certainly one of our best players,” Vogel explained.
That’s the simplest way to put it. He typically moves the needle in a positive direction and you see that with the plus-minus, not just in these two games, but throughout all of last year. We do want to make sure that we’re using our depth so we’re not overplaying too many guys, but Alex is just one of those guys that impacts both ends of the floor.”

We're exactly a month away from the NBA trade deadline, so we went hot stove with @ZachLowe_NBA, @MarcJSpears and @RamonaShelburne to find out the most likely buyers, sellers and buyout candidates to look for over the next few weeks: pic.twitter.com/AMDJMsHkah

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 26, 2021

LeBron James really likes Horton-Tucker. He even took to Twitter in December 2020 to praise the second-year Laker.

“Telling you right now!” James tweeted. “This kid is flat out SPECIAL! Mark my words.”