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3 players LeBron James could be recruiting to Lakers during All-Star Break

By Jason Reed

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 19: LeBron James #6 and Stephen Curry #30 of Team LeBron talk with teammates during the NBA All-Star practice at the Wolstein Center on February 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 19: LeBron James #6 and Stephen Curry #30 of Team LeBron talk with teammates during the NBA All-Star practice at the Wolstein Center on February 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet has been fantastic for the Toronto Raptors and is a big example of the savvy front office that is operating up in Toronto. VanVleet has turned from being an undrafted rookie to earning a spot on the roster in Summer League to becoming a role player on a title-contending team to becoming an all-star.

VanVleet has gotten better every single year of his career and he has turned that into an all-star nod this season for the Eastern Conference. He is the only player on this list that was not drafted to team LeBron but that is fine, LeBron can still be laying the seeds.

VanVleet would be a fantastic third star to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, especially as LeBron gets older and his workload gets smaller. VanVleet does not need a massively high usage rate to be successful but he can take some of the playmaking duties away from an older LeBron while also being a lethal off-ball shooter when LeBron is running point.

VanVleet is a 40% three-point shooter who is averaging 21 points, seven assists and nearly five rebounds per game. Better yet, he is a solid perimeter defender, which is something the Lakers are really lacking.

VanVleet is a free agent in 2023 and it will be interesting to see what his market value is at that point in time. While Toronto is going to want to retain him, he may not be a max guy. That could open the door for the Lakers to pay VanVleet as LeBron makes less money.