Los Angeles Lakers: Free agents to replace Avery Bradley if he leaves

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet is easily the best player on this list but it is more of a dream scenario than anything, hence why he is the last player on this slideshow. It definitely is possible that VanVleet finds his way in the purple and gold, but only if that is where he wants to play and he orchestrates it.

But hey, it is 2020 and NBA players have more power than ever before in where they end up. It could happen.

There are two ways this could happen, one that is very unrealistic and one that is realistic only if VanVleet wants to be a Laker. The unlikely outcome is that the Lakers bring VanVleet in on the mid-level exception, which likely won’t happen as he is going to get much more than that on the open market.

The more realistic path is VanVleet signing a new contract with the Toronto Raptors and orchestrating a sign and trade, again, only possible if that is what VanVleet wants.

This allows the Raptors to get something for losing VanVleet as well as making it financially possible for the Lakers to afford VanVleet. The package could be something along the lines of Danny Green, Quinn Cook, Kyle Kuzma and the 2020 first-round pick for VanVleet.

That is more than fair enough for someone who would be a free agent and would give the Lakers a legitimate third star.

VanVleet is averaging 17.8 points and 6.7 assists per game this year. He is shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc and has posted a 1.4 DBPM.

Next. Why the Lakers should explore trading Danny Green. dark

He would be the ideal third star for the Los Angeles Lakers. The only question is if VanVleet wants to be a Laker, and if he does, is he willing to do what it takes to make it happen?