Threat Lakers to Raptors Guard

Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. When it comes to the Toronto Raptors, it feels inevitable that they’ll make a big trade before the NBA’s midseason deadline. There’s no indication yet that they’ll shake up their roster, but with money troubles looming, something has to happen eventually.

Toronto would have Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. this summer can waive their contracts and become free agents. Holding them in raises would prove difficult, as OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam are not far behind in overtime eligibility of their own.

With a 23-30 record, tied for 12th place 1.5 games out of the Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference, all options should be on the table for the Raptors. So is trading VanVleet, which looked like a long shot in the season.

Of the four, Trent is cited as the most likely to move. But considering the value to each person on the floor and as a trading piece, VanVleet might make the most sense to move forward.

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

Anunoby and Siakam could probably pick up larger return packages, but their value won’t diminish any time soon. VanVleet’s value may never be higher given the limited number of teams willing to sell before the deadline. The Raptors should take advantage and find a team desperate enough to make a deal.

One team could be an option are the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles is wasting another great season of LeBron James and needs to make something happen fast. They acquired Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards, but they shouldn’t be done.

VanVleet has been brought up as a possible trade target for the Lakers, and those whispers grew louder when he joined Klutch Sports. While the Lakers aren’t overloaded with resources, they could make the Raptors an intriguing offer.

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

Would Toronto value flipping VanVleet and Trent for Russell Westbrook’s huge expiring contract, first round picks in 2027 and 2029 and at least one pick swap in 2026 or 2028?

Masai Ujiri would have to think long and hard about pulling the trigger on such a deal as it would allow the Raptors to make other upgrades on the roster. Should a superstar seek a change of scenery, they could throw themselves into the fray using all of their available draft picks and those of the Lakers in a hypothetical VanVleet deal.