The Los Angeles Lakers left the 2024-25 season with mixed emotions. They made their blockbuster move for Luka Doncic and set themselves up for the future. But the sting of a five-game first-round playoff loss to the Timberwolves still lingers.
The front office has since made smaller, calculated additions. Veteran guard Marcus Smart. Big man Deandre Ayton. Versatile wing Jake LaRavia. All solid pieces. But for fans hoping for a star-level swing on the trade market, the summer has felt quieter than expected.
There’s still time. And one trade pitch from Jacob Rude of Silver Screen and Roll could add both sentiment and substance — by bringing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope back to Los Angeles.
Lakers Could Reunite With Caldwell-Pope
GettyKentavious Caldwell-Pope with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Rude’s idea sends Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber to Memphis in exchange for Caldwell-Pope. The veteran 3-and-D guard was a key part of the Lakers’ 2020 “Bubble” championship run and has since bounced between four different teams.
“Lakers fans have seen how well KCP plays next to stars firsthand,” Rude wrote. “Even if his game has dropped off, he’s still a 3&D wing and you can never have too many of those. It’s a far more useful way for the Lakers to spend their money than on Vincent and Kleber.”
From the Grizzlies’ perspective, KCP holds a player option for next season, and swapping him for two expiring contracts could save long-term money. For the Lakers, Vincent is more expendable with the arrival of Smart, while Kleber — a power forward who appeared in only one game last season due to injury — may also struggle for minutes this year.
Front Office Likely Waiting Before Making a Move
While a Caldwell-Pope reunion could make sense, the Lakers appear in no rush. One Western Conference executive believes the front office is in “wait-and-see mode” with the current roster.
“They have not been attacking the trade market by any stretch of the imagination,” the exec said. “Most teams now are in a sort-of wait-and-see mode, and I would include the Lakers in that. They want to give it some time before they make a trade.”
Vincent averaged just 6.4 points per game last season but remains a trusted veteran presence. His $11.5 million salary for 2025-26 could make him a useful trade piece later in the year.
Jarred Vanderbilt is another name to watch. He’s flashed defensive upside but has appeared in only 91 games across two-plus seasons in Los Angeles.
For now, the Lakers’ roster looks set. But a familiar face like Caldwell-Pope could be exactly the type of boost that turns a good team into a contender.
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