The Los Angeles Lakers bolstered their frontcourt this week, acquiring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards. It is a move that will help them this season but was also made with an eye toward the future. They may have more moves at their disposal ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Los Angeles intends to sign Hachimura to a new contract this offseason when he is set to hit restricted free agency. Turning 25 in February, he represents what could be a nice building block heading into the future as the franchise needs to prepare for life after LeBron James, too.
The Gonzaga product will certainly improve the team’s performance and is an upgrade to their frontcourt. With James and Anthony Davis as the pillars of the roster, anything is possible, as they are good enough to carry a team. However, the Lakers still need to make a few more moves if they want to be considered true contenders.
If Rob Pelinka is going to make a splash, it will almost assuredly have to include Russell Westbrook and his massive expiring contract. One NBA executive that spoke to NBA Analysis Network believes that the Lakers will make a run at Fred VanVleet to upgrade the team.
“The rumblings going around right now is that Fred VanVleet is likely signing with Klutch after firing his agent. Naturally, that makes you think about the Lakers as a trade destination. There’s more to it than that. There isn’t value in letting Russell Westbrook get to free agency. They’d be squandering a trade opportunity with an unprecedented expiring salary by not using it at the deadline. The shooting that VanVleet brings makes him a better fit than Westbrook. I can see a win-win trade there.”
The Klutch Sports connection is one that we have already seen lead to a blockbuster trade getting done. Davis was also one of their clients before he essentially forced his way to the Lakers from the New Orleans Pelicans.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
There is a chance that the Toronto Raptors shake things up in the coming weeks. If they want to rebuild and retool the roster, the option has presented itself as there is reportedly an offer on the table for OG Anunoby that includes three first-round picks.
If Toronto doesn’t make a move up the standings ahead of the trade deadline, they could pull the trigger on that deal and one for VanVleet, which could provide the team with more assets and salary relief.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
For Los Angeles, if they can land VanVleet for Westbrook, they could have enough to make some noise in the Western Conference. He is a much better fit for the game plan that Darvin Ham is deploying and a rotation of VanVleet, Patrick Beverly, Dennis Schroder, Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown Jr., James, Hachimura, Davis and Thomas Bryant would present some challenges for opponents.
