This Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season through management's extreme trade operation, can be said to have turned the 13th Lakers in the West into the 7th place team in the West. After entering the playoffs, he advanced to the playoffs by defeating the Timberwolves. The Los Angeles Lakers have shown at least Western Conference final-level strength, but they are not expected to become a championship-level team, which will be a huge challenge for the Lakers in 2023-24, because if they lose the championship in 2022-23, the Lakers will enter a crazy offseason.
If they can't convince Dangelo Russell to renew his contract with an ordinary maximum salary, the team will face a lot of luxury taxes, and there is no good salary space to better sign some great role players to strengthen and become a better team. To this end, the US media "Fadeaway World" suggested that the Lakers and the Raptors make a two-for-one trade to help Anthony Davis and LeBron James trade for better championship assistance.
Toronto Raptors trade acquisition: Dangelo Russell (first sign, then trade), Malik Beasley
Los Angeles Lakers trade gained: Siakam
The Los Angeles Lakers create a new Big Three and challenge for championships again
The Lakers are likely to make this deal, but it still depends on the performance of the Lakers in the playoffs in the 2022-23 season, and if they can win the playoffs this time, the Lakers may consider keeping most of the players, because the Lakers' current roster is quite young and has a good impact.
If the Lakers can trade Siakam, it will obviously reduce the huge pressure on both ends of LeBron James, because LeBron James will be 39 next season, and the offensive and defensive performance may really not be as good as before. However, the arrival of Siakam can keep the Lakers' forward strength at one of the best levels in the league. Because LeBron, James and Siakam are both players who can play from No. 1 to No. 5 on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends.
In the 2022-23 season, Siakam averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game with the Raptors, and he joined the Lakers and will become the team's three-in-command. Siakam can help Anthony Davis on the inside, which will help Anthony Davis stay healthy during the long season.
Many fan media believe that since it is a trade with the Raptors, it is better to trade together to get VanVleet, who has also been one of the best and most consistent point guards in the league in recent seasons. Siakam and VanVleet are the centerpieces of the Raptors' 2019 championship win, and even Leonard of the Clippers hopes that the Clippers management will operate well and strive for a trade to get both.
The Toronto Raptors get an All-Star-caliber starting point guard
Siakam, 29, has a four-year, $130 million contract due to expire in the 2023-24 season. In recent seasons, the Raptors have expressed a reluctance to continue to renew Siakam on a big contract, and the team is more inclined to trade him away. As a top striker with both offensive and defensive skills, Siakam will earn more than $37 million a year next season.
If Siakam renews his contract early, he will be offered a three-year, $136 million ordinary maximum salary contract. If he waits until next summer to renew his contract, he will get a super maximum salary contract. The Lakers may not consider a sign-and-trade deal with the Raptors because Siakam is too expensive, and even if he performs well, it is difficult for the team to go far without good players off the bench.
The 27-year-old Tangillo Russell is averaging 17.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists this season. Malik Beasley, 26, is averaging 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists this season. Sending two great stars in exchange for a soon-to-be-30-year-old Siakam, the Lakers may not be very happy, preferring to trade for a young player like Gary Trent Jr. or Anunoby.