The Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly going to be players at the NBA trade deadline. Not only is the team looking to maximize its chances of winning the NBA Championship this season, but now the team is looking to add as much talent as possible to survive both LeBron James and Anthony Davis being out.
The Lakers can survive one of the two being out no problem. With both of them out, there is a real chance that the Lakers could fall down the Western Conference standings and have a tough first-round playoff matchup.
Even worse, the Lakers could fall low enough to be forced to participate in the play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seed. The Lakers would need just one win to secure a playoff spot but two losses would kick them out.
Thus far we have been focusing on who the Los Angeles Lakers may look to bring in at the trade deadline.
Now it is time to focus on who the Los Angeles Lakers may trade away.
On the Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst said that the Lakers are open to trading KCP this season. These comments are telling and they showcase that KCP’s tenure with the Lakers is not guaranteed even if he just signed a new contract with the team.
But is it the right move? Are the Lakers right to be shopping KCP and should fans celebrate if he is traded from the team at the deadline?
Yes, and well… yes. Trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this season is absolutely the right move for the Los Angeles Lakers. Here is why.