While Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has expressed a desire for stability this offseason, the franchise is also looking to enhance its roster. After coming uncomfortably close to another NBA Finals trip, the Lakers aren’t far from reclaiming the league’s top spot.

Internally, D’Angelo Russell is the most frequently mentioned name. D’Lo has emerged the most likely candidate to be sold in pursuit of an upgrade after laboring in the final series of the postseason.

Also Read: Who is Lloyd Klein, former boyfriend of ‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein?

Fred VanVleet is one player who has been connected to the Lakers in the past. The Raptors guard, and perhaps more importantly Klutch client, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after failing to reach an agreement with Toronto during the season.

After a mutual decision by VanVleet and the Raptors to hold off extension talks that would’ve potentially landed him a four-year, $114 million contract, which is considered below his market value, Toronto remains in the mix to re-sign the 2022 All-Star guard.

Also Read: Magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes the Gulf of California

However, several other teams, including the Rockets, Lakers, Suns, and Magic, have been linked to VanVleet as potential suitors, while other playoff-caliber teams could emerge as sign-and-trade options.

VanVleet is expecting a contract worth $30 million per year. It doesn’t take a cap experts to see that acquiring him is a challenging prospect for the Lakers.

Effectively, the only way it’s conceivable is via a double sign-and-trade for D’Lo and VanVleet, which necessitates a number of events. Most importantly, Toronto must be interested in D’Lo as a free agent.

Also Read:Dani Carvajal scores deciding penalty as Spain wins UEFA Nations League | Watch Video

Even if everything works out and the Lakers are able to trade for VanVleet, it creates a whole other set of problems for them in terms of roster expansion because doing so would put them over their hard-cap size. With Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura being restricted free agents, it might be difficult to keep both of them, especially if one receives a sizable offer sheet.