Lakers Rumors: Three unlikely trades next season that are actually likely
By Jason Reed
Despite just signing Caldwell-Pope to a one-year, $18 million dollar contract the Los Angeles Lakers very well could part ways with him after just half a season. The Lakers are free to trade Caldwell-Pope after October 13, giving the team plenty of time to work out a deal before the February trade deadline.
The purpose of bringing KCP in is clear, they want to give Lonzo Ball as many weapons as they can to help ease the transition into the NBA. Being a great scorer, KCP provides just that for the Lakers as he gives Ball a reliable option in the back court to score off the tail end of assists. This is not a long-term investment, but Los Angeles can turn it into one.
The Spurs are obviously one of the best teams in basketball and may be the only ones in the West capable of dethroning the Warriors. Although the Rockets and even Timberwolves are more talented now, under coach Greg Popovich the Spurs have consistently given the Warriors headaches.
If it wasn’t for a dirty close out by Zaza Pachulia on Kawhi Leonard, that Western Conference finals very well could have gone differently.
Still, the Spurs are to want to stock pile as much as talent as they can to help take on the beast in the West. Bringing in KCP gives the Spurs a significant scoring upgrade over Danny Green, while the Lakers only have to pay one season of Green’s $10 million contract while also getting a first round pick in next year’s draft, something they don’t have.