Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles working to deal for Trevor Ariza

Anyone feel bad for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope?

I mean how would you feel if you played Memphis in the last game and was knocking down shots like this…

Finding your rhythm and having the Grizzlies so shook that you get Josh Hart out of HIS slump for the game…

Then you’re on the plane back to Los Angeles and there are rumors that you are being possibly traded to the most dysfunctional team in the NBA, where their two young stars are openly beefing in front of the media. This is not Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal folks. This is DeAndre Ayton and Devin Booker, who you helped beat down say about a week ago.

The sad thing is that I saw this coming. I’ve said this since Magic Johnson put this squad together, that all of the veterans who were signed to one-year deals were cap space holders for future deals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed a one-year $12 million dollar deal this summer. Trevor Ariza signed a one year $15 million dollar deal with the Suns. If the Lakers throw in a future draft pick, things should be done smoothly

However…

KCP has a de facto no trade clause in his contract that says he has to give up his early “Bird” rights if he is traded before the deadline.

Which means he does have veto power and has a say in where he wants to go.

I’m not an NBA insider by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m going out on a limb to say that KCP does not want to leave the Lakers for a team in Phoenix who has lost 22 of their last 26 games. To take this further, the last two games the Suns were basically finished by the 1st quarter.

So, for this to work, how can KCP be moved to get Trevor Ariza in?

LeBron James’ association with Klutz Sports

It seems all of the Lakers rumors for player acquisitions are based off on two theories…

One, players are close friends of LeBron James (Carmelo Anthony) or…

Two, the players are affiliated with Klutch Sports (Anthony Davis).

Major speculation about the amount of money that KCP got was based on him being part of the Klutch Sports roster which is headed up by Rich Paul, who is a lifelong friend of LeBron James. The Lakers will try to work with Paul to get Caldwell-Pope to a team that will increase his exposure for a big payday for his next contract.

Hence there is a third team that is needed in the deal for this to go through. KCP is not going to Phoenix.

But look out for this team being a possible third squad. I said earlier in this piece that I believe the Atlanta Hawks will be the team.

If the deal goes through, I see the Atlanta Hawks trading Jeremy Lin to the Phoenix Suns.

I say that considering they need a point guard badly and that in paramount in any deal. (For the record, I need people to relax if they think Lonzo Ball is going anywhere) Plus, the Suns badly need veteran leadership. If you like Trae Young’s play, you need to know that Lin had a part in that.

I see KCP going to Atlanta, where he can get 20-25 minutes a night and the Hawks can get his salary off the books after the season. Lin was never staying in Atlanta, they are in the “Zion Williamson” sweepstakes. If they can sneak a draft pick just to play along, don’t put it past them.

The Lakers get Trevor Ariza, and keep their cap flexibility for this offseason or a future move this season if needed.

If not…Philly may  be the squad!

KCP goes to Philly and gives them the shooter they have been chasing all season…

Markelle Fultz goes to Phoenix because…rumors are floating out there and the Suns are crazy enough to make the deal. They can sell the Fultz name of being a playmaker to the fans and pay him on the cheap…along with that draft pick.

Get all of that? There’s going to be a pop quiz.

Again until December 15th, this is only a rumor. Done deal or not. Why? The NBA says so.

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