Lakers Could Seal Trade For New $51 Million Starter

The Los Angeles Lakers are out of the playoff race and the front office is already making plans for the upcoming future. Rob Pelinka will probably try to keep some of his free agents around. We don’t know if D’Angelo Russell will stay around for another season, but Pelinka will probably take him into consideration. According to several sources, the Lakers could soon trade for a top starter.

Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. has a chance to enter free agency this summer. He can play out the final season of the three-year contract he signed with the Raptors. This deal will give him $18.5 million in 2023-24.

Lakers have a reason to trade for talented starter

Bleacher Report has a trade suggestion for the Lakers and the front office could easily make this happen. Pelinka has to trade Malik Beasley this offseason.

“Targeting a higher-end shooter who can disrupt on defense, even if he over-gambles, via sign-and-trade is aggressive enough,” Bleacher Report detailed on May 27. “The Lakers should have the wiggle room to fit Hachimura, Reaves and Gary Trent Jr. under the hard cap. D’Angelo Russell is a different story. He’ll probably have to land in the $20 million-per-year range to make it feasible.

“Trent’s next salary will be a deciding factor, as well. The Lakers shouldn’t have any major issues cobbling together the assets necessary if he’s leaving Toronto anyway. Malik Beasley’s expiring contract plus the No. 17 pick is a good place to start—if not finish.”

Trent could be the third offensive player behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He averaged 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game with the Raptors this season.

Michael Grange from SportsNet Canada reported that Trent could earn $20 million if he opts out of his current deal.

“According to league sources, Trent could expect a deal in the $20-million range if he opts out of the last year of his contract, which is set to pay him $18.8 million next season,” Grange wrote prior to the 2023 NBA trade deadline. “In other words, the idea of a Jordan Poole or Tyler Herro-like payday – two young scorers with comparable statistical profiles as Trent Jr. who scored extensions with their own teams in the $30-million per season range — may not be readily available in free agency.”