Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Fred VanVleet
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, C Marc Gasol, No. 22 pick and 2025 first-round pick
Fred VanVleet would be the point guard option that the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking for. He signed a four-year, $85 million deal to remain with the Toronto Raptors and they could look to move that salary given how the team is best suited for a rebuild.
It’s clear that VanVleet has shown an ability to be a starting-caliber guard and will only improve on a team with LeBron James. His shot creation and playmaking would be a natural fit to play off-the-ball alongside him as he did when playing with Kawhi Leonard.
The Lakers will have limited options when it comes to replacing Dennis Schroder during the offseason and the trade route could be required. Unless, of course, a veteran who wants to chase a chance to win a ring and play in Los Angeles is willing to take less to join them.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would lead to return to Toronto. He has been mentioned in many NBA trade rumors and seems like a likely candidate to be moved if the Lakers make a deal. His moderately sized soon-to-be expiring deal coupled with his 3-point shooting ability make for a logical trade chip.
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Marc Gasol would also be on the move and get a chance to play in Toronto once again. The Raptors would land the 22nd-overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft along with a first-round pick in 2025. Again, this would be mostly to dump long-term salary.
Let’s take a closer look and see how this NBA trade scenario would impact both the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors.
