Lakers: Ranking best assets that can be traded for a superstar

The Lakers may not want to trade Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but they could

Besides Davis and James, you could argue that shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is among the untouchables when it comes to being a potential Lakers trade asset. Caldwell-Pope has been a stabilizing force in the Lakers’ rotation the last four years. Along with point guard Alex Caruso, you would expect that quartet to be back in Lakers uniform next season to go win a title.

However, the Lakers do need to consider what value Caldwell-Pope could provide on the open market. While he was a former lottery pick out of the University of Georgia by the Detroit Pistons, Caldwell-Pope is not expected to become an All-Star-level player in the second half of his career. With that in mind, he could be the necessary piece to help the Lakers go acquire a third superstar.

Caldwell-Pope is on the books at a shade over $13 million for 2021-22. While the 2022-23 part of his Lakers deal is non-guaranteed, he would cost the Lakers about $14 million in what could be the final year of his contract before hitting free agency ahead of 2023-24. If the Lakers are that serious about trading for a third star, they must consider the possibility of trading Caldwell-Pope.

Overall, the Lakers have the assets to go get a third star, but doing so will come at a great price. Expect either Caldwell-Pope or Kuzma to be going the other way, as well as a future first-round pick. A sign-and-trade involving Horton-Tucker is alluring, but do not count on it. While Gasol is expendable, he would be more of a throwaway in a potential blockbuster trade to make it work.

Who else could the Lakers potentially be parting ways with in an attempt to go get a third star?