Toronto Raptors Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL) 

Los Angeles Lakers Receive G Fred VanVleet, G/F Gary Trent Jr., F Otto Porter Jr. 

It’s hard to believe this deal feels realistic. It wasn’t long ago that neither of these clubs looked likely to make a big deal. 

In fact, they won consecutive championships. The Raptors took home the 2018-19 title, and the Lakers emerged with the crown in 2019-20. Interestingly, they both fell apart – in completely different ways. 

The Raptors simply lost talent. A championship wasn’t enough to dissuade Kawhi Leonard from going home.

Without him, the team hasn’t had a true superstar to build a contender around. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Los Angeles Lakers & Toronto Raptors Updates

On the other hand, the Lakers suffered from a case of subtraction by addition. By now, it seems obvious that adding Russell Westbrook to this team did nothing to actually improve it. 

Why should the Raptors add him?