Can the Los Angeles Lakers land Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet via sign and trade?
If you were to ask any Laker fan what is the team’s biggest weakness some might say the lack of wing depth behind LeBron James, others might say we lack consistent 3-point shooting, and others might point at the center position and say while they love Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee, they would love a dominant center in the mold of Shaq, Kareem or Wilt like the Los Angeles Lakers dynasties of old.
However, the most consistent answer would more than likely be that the Lakers are woefully low on playmakers outside of the league leader in assists LeBron James.
LeBron has been amazingly dishing the ball this season. When he is on the floor the Lakers run like a German pocket watch. Synchronized, efficient, and reliable.
When LeBron is off the floor however, the Los Angeles Lakers offense runs like a Schmolex you’d buy from a sketchy individual in Times Square. Clunky, everything is off and it doesn’t look pretty.
When it comes to the NBA playoffs, this might not be as bad of a problem for the Lakers as LeBron can expect to play virtually every minute per game as that is what is required to win a ring.
But for next season when LeBron won’t be expected to play hard every regular-season game and get everyone involved, it would make sense to bring in a player who can lighten the load for the King and take over secondary playmaking duties while LeBron is either floating in and out of games, sitting on the bench or even sitting out games altogether.
In steps, Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet.
While the Los Angeles Lakers cannot afford to pay FVV on the open market this comingfFree agency (unless he is willing to take a pay cut to join a championship contender), they can however attempt to make a move for FVV via sign and trade.