Los Angeles Lakers Are Reportedly Interested In Fred VanVleet And Kyle Lowry
Much has been said about the Los Angeles Lakers this 2022-23 NBA season, as they have been struggling to get things going. Although many fans didn’t think they would be good enough to compete in the Western Conference, the Lakers were proven wrong at one point in the season, but now they are once again struggling to win games.
In recent days, they’ve been linked with Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls in an improbable and unlikely trade for LeBron James, as well as Cam Reddish, a player being pursued by many teams around the association.
The Lakers are trying to improve their level, and although recent reports suggest that they will go for a trade that makes them better in a three-year time frame, they remain connected to the winning-now moves.
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to add targets to their roster
According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, the Purple and Gold are interested in a former Toronto Raptors duo who has been mentioned in many trade rumors recently. First, Zillgitt talks about Fred VanVleet, a veteran who can bring a lot to the table.
“Raptors are a hot topic,” Zillgitt wrote. “Are they going to blow it up? Do small movements? Do nothing at all? It’s another interesting situation because the Raptors have players other teams want, including Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and 2021-22 Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. Adding to the intrigue are the contract situations: Siakam and Anunoby can become free agents in 2024, VanVleet a free agent after this season and Barnes is seeking a significant raise for an initial extension. The 17-23 Raptors have financial decisions to make at some point. Keep this in mind, too: Under team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster, the Raptors aren’t known for big deals at the trade deadline. VanVleet is worth a look and with his name linked to a possible deal with the Lakers, don’t rule out a sly move for VanVleet from Orlando.”
Then, he mentioned the greatest Raptor of all time, Kyle Lowry, who is not at the same level he was a few seasons ago, but can still provide for the Lakers.
“The Heat are very tight-lipped about their plans,” Zillgitt wrote. But around the league, it’s believed the Heat are willing to opt out of Kyle Lowry’s contract, which pays him $29.6 million in 2023-24. The Heat, who reached the finals in 2020 and the conference finals last season, are 21-20 and in eighth place. Lowry is another player who has been linked to a potential deal with the Lakers, and Minnesota sending D’Angelo Russell to Miami for Lowry would provide the Heat with an expiring contract.”
The Raptors are said to be willing to let all of Scottie Barnes leave the team, but nothing has happened so far. The Lakers have a great opportunity to make some noise in the trade market, but given the front office’s reluctance to do business with the rest of the league, it’s likely they’ll play the entire season with their current roster.
