The Toronto Raptors have been at the center of much trade deadline speculation in the last few weeks, and Fred VanVleet has been mentioned as a player who could be on the move due to his contract situation. The Los Angeles Lakers are constantly under pressure to perform, and they seem to believe that VanVleet could be their missing ingredient.
The Lakers have long been an admirer of what Toronto has built, as they have been trying to acquire Gary Trent Jr. for what seems like an eternity. The latest buzz suggests that LA has turned its attention elsewhere despite lacking the assets to get a deal done.
Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today is reporting that the Lakers have a degree of interest in both VanVleet and Kyle Lowry as they try to both shed the Westbrook contract and build a short-term winner around LeBron James.
This all sounds workable in theory, but it is completely improbable and illogical in practice. The Lakers may have a roster even more top-heavy than the depth-challenged Raptors, meaning that there’s no way Toronto can get adequate value back in a hypothetical trade.
one, two, THREE from Fred VV @FredVanVleet pic.twitter.com/qQWGzQjfWf
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 22, 2022
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Lakers eyeing Fred VanVleet.
If Lakers fans and executives can realize that the Raptors do not have any interest in Westbrook as a player or shouldering that burdensome contract, that would be fantastic. An aging player who is losing a step physically and dominates the ball, Westbrook would not mesh on this team.
What other possible assets could the Lakers offer the Raptors that would interest them? First-round picks that are so far in the future that the players who will end up being picked are in middle school right now? Lonnie Walker, really? Troy Brown? None of these players will appeal to Ujiri.
The Lakers may not be completely out of options when it comes to improving the roster, but they need to realize that no one wants to sell away one of their most [rized assets in exchange for what is left of Westbrook. The Raptors have made some bold deals in the past, but nothing like this.
LeBron James is tired of waiting.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 8, 2023
In an exclusive interview with @sam_amick, James spoke briefly on the Lakers' roster plans and his patience level ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
"Y’all know what the f— should be happening. I don’t need to talk."https://t.co/r5QVZSoSCA pic.twitter.com/uiGbCiienK
There is a universe in which Pat Riley and the Heat can somehow hammer out a deal that sends Lowry to Los Angeles, but Rob Pelinka needs to put whatever fantasy he has of dealing with Toronto to bed. The Lakers have to lie in the bed they made after years of aggressive trading.