Los Angeles is out of options, but there is now what appears to be a workable solution.
That period in the off-season has already arrived.
Though things may seem a little grim right now, Lakers supporters are clamoring for someone, ANYONE, to be added to the roster.
One of the top free agents still available, Gary Trent Jr., wants to increase his market value.
LA might be the ideal location for him to arrive.
According to reports, Trent Jr. is seeking a prove-it contract.
Trent Jr. appears to have overreached himself on the summertime free agency market.
Gary Trent Jr. is a strong candidate to potentially take a one-year deal in order to rebuild his market value for 2025.
The Raptors are officially moving on, so Trent could become a key rotation piece on a contending team.
Trent shot 43.1% on catch-and-shoot threes this season. pic.twitter.com/kqBuGxrU5A
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 10, 2024
He allegedly turned down a $15 million yearly offer from Toronto in favor of a contract that would have earned him close to $25 million annually.
He hasn’t signed yet, though, and the Raptors have withdrawn their offer and moved on.
Trent Jr. is put in an awkward situation by this.
It’s clear that the Raptors believe Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley can lead them back to their former glory. What’s less clear is how long it will take.
The future starts now, but so does the wait: https://t.co/2xCGAojWM6 pic.twitter.com/ly5F1Kaigv
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 9, 2024
He might have to accept a one-year contract that is significantly less than what he was hoping for with a team that really needs him.
The Lakers would make the perfect match.
Last season, LA ranked ninth in the NBA in 3-point percentage (37.2), but they were 24th in terms of 3-pointers made per game (11.6).
Trent Jr. fits the bill for JJ Redick, the new head coach, who has made it clear that he is searching for 3-point shooters this offseason. Throughout his seven NBA seasons, he averaged 38.6% from 3-point range, thus his 39.3% 3-point shooting from beyond the arc last season was not an anomaly.
Despite not being the marquee addition Lakers supporters had hoped for this offseason, he is a good scorer off the bench who would improve the team’s existing squad (14.3 points per game in his career).
The Lakers’ ability to finance Trent Jr.’s addition is the only thing left to ask.
According to an Eastern Conference general manager, Trent Jr. might not even be given the mid-level exception, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.
That implies that LA could sign him, and because they don’t have many other options, it could be a good idea to do so right away.