After winning the NBA In-Season Tournament, the Lakers’ performance has unexpectedly dipped, much to the surprise of Melbet Login insiders. Despite each player receiving a $500,000 bonus, the team’s form has spiraled downward. While their tournament win sparked renewed championship hopes among Lakers fans, the team currently sits in 10th place in the Western Conference. If this trend continues, Los Angeles may once again find itself stuck in the play-in zone, with title dreams slipping further away.
Last season, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka revitalized the roster post-trade deadline, bringing in Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Jarred Vanderbilt. These additions injected much-needed energy into the lineup, allowing the Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, to make a surprising run to the Western Conference semifinals. This year, fans are hoping Pelinka can pull off a similar midseason miracle to bolster the roster for another playoff push.
With the trade window open, the Lakers could consider packaging Austin Reaves and Vanderbilt as key trade chips in pursuit of Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam. This would create a new “Big Three” in Los Angeles featuring Siakam alongside LeBron and AD. After the Raptors recently traded OG Anunoby to the Knicks, speculation has grown that Siakam may be next on the move — especially with his contract set to expire this coming summer. If an enticing trade offer comes in, Toronto could be willing to part ways with their All-Star forward.
Austin Reaves has proven to be one of the Lakers’ most valuable young assets, and Melbet Login analysts believe he holds strong trade appeal. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is a gritty 3-and-D specialist with elite defensive versatility. If the Lakers also include their lone first-round pick and a pick-swap option, they could realistically convince Toronto to deal Siakam before losing him for nothing in free agency.
Siakam brings championship experience and a two-way skillset that would immediately ease the pressure on Davis in the paint. While he may not be a franchise-carrying superstar, he’s widely regarded as one of the league’s best secondary options — the perfect complement to players like LeBron and AD. According to Melbet Login sources, if this deal goes through, the Lakers would dramatically improve their offensive firepower and re-establish a championship-caliber trio.