Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. When it comes to the Toronto Raptors, it feels inevitable that they will make a big trade ahead of the NBA’s midseason deadline. There has yet to be any indication that they will shake up their roster, but with impending money issues, something eventually has to give.
Toronto could have Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. opt out of their contracts this summer and become free agents. Retaining them on raises would prove difficult as OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam aren’t far behind in being eligible for extensions of their own.
With a 23-30 record, sitting in 12th place 1.5 games out of the Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference, all options need to be on the table for the Raptors. That includes trading VanVleet, which looked like a long shot coming into the season.
Out of the four, Trent has been mentioned as being the likeliest to be on the move. But, when taking into account the value for each person on the floor and as a trade piece, VanVleet could make the most sense to move on from.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Anunoby and Siakam could likely fetch larger return packages, but their value isn’t going to decrease any time soon. VanVleet’s value may never be higher given the limited number of teams looking to sell ahead of the deadline. The Raptors should take advantage and find a team desperate enough to make a deal.
One team that could be an option is the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles is wasting another stellar season from LeBron James and needs to make something happen soon. They acquired Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards, but they shouldn’t be done.
VanVleet has been floated as a possible trade target for the Lakers and those whispers got louder once he joined Klutch Sports. The Lakers, while not loaded with assets, could present an intriguing offer to the Raptors.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Would Toronto find value in flipping VanVleet and Trent for Russell Westbrook’s massive expiring contract, first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 and at least one pick swap in either 2026 or 2028?
Masai Ujiri would have to think long and hard about pulling the trigger on such a deal as it would put the Raptors in a position to make other upgrades on the roster. Should a superstar look for a change of scenery, they could jump into the fray with all of their available draft picks and ones conveying from the Lakers in a hypothetical VanVleet deal.
