2. The Los Angeles Lakers have the perfect contracts to trade
Not only did the Los Angeles Lakers set the team up to remain flexible next summer by agreeing to one-year contracts, but it also allowed the front office more of an ability to trade some assets at the deadline.
Making sure a deal is possible contractually is the first step in the trade talks process and most teams cannot get a deal done because they do not have any in between contracts. Some teams have massive superstar salaries, like LeBron’s alongside minuscule contracts, like Kyle Kuzma.
The Lakers have a few contracts right now in that sweet spot in between that makes a deal all the more possible. Not only are the Lakers in the sweet spot on most of these contracts, but they are also all expiring, so a team would be willing to take on a slumping player if it means a future draft pick or a young talent.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a $12 million deal, Rajon Rondo $9 million, Lance Stephenson $4.45 million and Michael Beasley $3.5 million.
Caldwell-Pope and Rondo have the easiest contracts to move with KCP becoming the leading candidate to get dealt. Regardless, there are multiple options the Lakers can utilize contractually in a trade.