According to the latest news, the Lakers are actively moving forward with a trade to get VanVleet. The Raptors guard performed well with the Toronto Raptors last season, averaging 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 39.4% from the field and 33.9% from three-point range.
VanVleet has a player option this summer and can step out of his contract to become a full free agent. From a salary perspective, jumping out of the contract and then renewing the Raptors is the best option for VanVleet, who can sign a five-year, $233 million contract if he stays in the Raptors, and $173 million for up to four years to other teams. The Raptors are basically going to rebuild next season, which makes VanVleet possible. Because since it is to be rebuilt, spending 233 million to renew VanVleet does not make much sense for the Raptors.
Even if the Lakers give up Beasley and Bamba's contracts, they will not give up renewing Russell's contract, and there is not enough space to sign VanVleet directly. So if the Lakers want to get VanVleet, they need the help of the Raptors. Lakers reporter Dan Woike reported that finding a suitable point guard is a focus of the Lakers' offseason. The difficulty of pursuing Irving allowed them to shift their goals, and VanVleet has become the number one target for the Lakers. The Lakers offered the Raptors a 2-for-1 offer, specifically for the Lakers to send Russell and a 2024 second-round pick to get VanVleet. For the Lakers' offer, the Raptors management is still under consideration. If the deal goes through, VanVleet will join James to play for the Lakers.
VanVleet is more affordable than Irving, and his defense is better than Irving's. Most importantly, the Lakers don't have to worry about VanVleet not playing. Owen is really strong, but he's too good at getting things done. James is old, thick eyebrows are not a player with a high attendance rate, if you exchange for Irving, once Irving makes some kind of moth, then the Lakers can't even make the playoffs, how to talk about competing for the championship? VanVleet is different, he has a high attendance rate, and the Lakers don't have to worry about him getting things done.
Isn't it a bit unreal to trade just Russell + 1 second-round pick back for VanVleet? The upside for the Lakers is that VanVleet could jump out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. Once VanVleet jumps out of contract and leaves, the Raptors get nothing. In a trade with the Lakers, the Raptors can also trade back Russell and 1 second-round pick.
Los Angeles Times reporter Jowan Buha reports that Lakers management and Rich Paul have reached some kind of tacit agreement on VanVleet's salary contract. The Lakers will give VanVleet a big multi-year contract, and Rich Paul, VanVleet and Lakers management hit it off. After the completion of the deal, the Lakers will form the Super Big 4 of Reeves + VanVleet + James + Thick Eyebrows. If the deal goes through, the Lakers will have a strong fight for a championship.
Lakers reporters reported that although James has always hoped for Irving, he also agreed with the Lakers to pursue VanVleet. Pelinka's trade to send away Wilson proved his ability, and after going through Wilson and Russell, Pelinka decided that VanVleet was the safer, wiser solution. VanVleet's consistency, defense and below-cap contract extension are all the best options for the Lakers.