2025-26 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by TIME, Jun 24, 2025.

  1. JLaker17

    JLaker17 - Lakers Starter -

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    Ayton should want talent around him + exposure, so I am not sure Indiana is it. People do get blinded by the short term though (Indiana more money).
     
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  2. wallangong

    wallangong - Lakers 6th Man -

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    I can understand why Ayton might chase the money if it's a multi-year deal, but I don't get it from Indy's perspective. They're not going to be good next year. Maybe not horrible, but without a PG they won't contend. They might be a little better with Ayton, but why not lean into the suck and get a better draft pick?
     
  3. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Do we still get him into LA for a meeting and Jeanie and Mark sandwich hug plus a fist bump from his stablemate Luka?
     
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  4. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    yeah, i think we're screwed. hopefully one of those trades comes through.

    i don't think they like to tank. don't rule out spite as at least a secondary motivator here, too.

    the question is how many years are they offering. if it's two...mayyyybe ayton takes the risk with us. but if it's three or more, he'd be dumb to turn it down, imo. you can get traded later, but you need that bag now.

    edit: it's going to be funny a year from now when teams are trying to get off some of these centers because a team beat them with smallball in the playoffs, lol.
     
  5. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Yeah. I’d think 3 or 4 years would be really hard for Ayton to turn down.

    I’ll be all the way honest here and say that they might be saving us from ourselves in the long run. Ayton has valid issues and I’m not sure how well he and JJ would mesh.

    I support taking a swing at him as a buy low opportunity but if we can land a big through a trade I’d be fine with that as well.
     
  6. Slick2021

    Slick2021 - Lakers MVP -

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    On another note...

    1. I really think that the small ball era, is about to be coming to a close. There are several reasons.

    This 3 ball thing is getting out of control. It's just not producing a great product IMO, the scrubs are pulling up for 3's, on 3 on 1 fastbreaks., that s*** is ridiculous, WWE, NBA 2K, video game style basketball. Guys are getting hurt left and right (big time stars at that) with this step back heavy stuff, this move is extremely popular, because it gives separation for that 3 attempt. You guys notice all these (calf issues being common now?) Calf strains seem to mysteriously develop, into Achilles tears, far too frequently to be just be a coincidence.

    The League isn't going to outlaw that move, but I can see Silva being OK, with allowing more physical play on the perimeter, (and in general)moving forward. The game shifts with the talent, there are more quality size coming into the League. Fans don't always want to accept it, but style of play in the NBA, has always been influenced, by who the superstars were during any particular time. The League office, may never come out, and just say that specifically, but it's been going on since the beginning of the league.

    I don't see a future Steph Curry , or Dame Lillard, with any of these young guys. OKC wasn't a small ball team model, they don't get that ring, without thier two bigs playing well. That's why everyone in the West, is looking to stack bigs, preferably bigs with different skill sets.
     
  7. Slick2021

    Slick2021 - Lakers MVP -

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    We have new ownership now tho. TBH. It's not a slam dunk, that Rob is safe moving forward, let alone JJ. Everything changed with getting Luka, and the team being sold. Now... I still totally believe, that our gameplan going into FA, was to aquire two quality bigs. We can still do that, and everyone will be happy IMO. But I am definitely of the mindset, that this is Rob's make or break moment, with this new ownership.

    Failure is not an option, and it will be absolutely be punished...IMO
     
  8. Kobe Bryant 8

    Kobe Bryant 8 - Lakers Starter -

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  9. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers Starter -

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    But does Indy have 20mil+ in cap space? How? Even without Turner, they shouldn't have that much no?
     
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  10. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I agree. That kind of adds to my thoughts here. If I’m in a make or break situation would I want my fate to be partially riding on Ayton’s shoulders if I were JJ or Rob? For me it’s a no.

    We’ve seen plenty of guys crumble under the bright lights of LA. Can Ayton handle it? Hopefully but I’d be hesitant to bet my job on it
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2025 at 10:24 AM
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  11. Holleewood

    Holleewood - Rookie -

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    Kessler started following Luka, Lebron and other Lakers on Insta. Is there a trade happening?
     
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  12. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    1. i'm a fan of zagging when others zig, so if there was a way that we could get serious talent upgrades that didn't necessarily result in a center, i'm not opposed. obviously, i'd like at least one legit center on the roster, though. i just think it's a copycat league, and innovators can always capitalize. like what if we traded for john collins, ran him at center and signed ben simmons on a vet min. suddenly, you have a roster of all 6'5" to 6'9" guys, many of whom are good defensive rebounds and many of whom can handle the ball and run. not going to happen, but i'd enjoy the attempt.

    2. i'm actually a little scared of what rob might do to try to save his job and if that might make things worse, tbh. my hope is that the new owner will step in and stop something he thinks could harm us long-term. but my fear about that is that his most trusted advisor right now in basketball matters might be magic johnson...
     
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  13. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Feels like a lot of “funny money” being used out there and guys finding 20 mil in their couch if I’m being honest. I’m waiting for a guy like Marks or Picnus to break it down because I’m not really getting how these teams are making some of this work.
     
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  14. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I hope so. Lol.
     
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  15. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    :ShaqOh2:
     
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  16. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    been wondering about this since they traded for nurkic. not that you can't have a backup center, but just that it seemed weird.

    if it happens, it's going to take everything we've got. wonder if we'd roll collins into it in exchange for our expirings.
     
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  17. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Yeah I haven’t thrown that out there because I know the board will go crazy but there’s no doubt Magic is involved. They are friends and business partners.
     
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  18. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    separate from all this: chris boucher is still a FA, and i'd like him on a one-year vet min. he's declined, but he's a good smallball big. i wanted paul reed for that role, but he went for a bit more than i expected.
     
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  19. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Which other Lakers? That's crazy out of the blue! Unless you're just looking for clicks here?

    :Hungryfordoom:

    How bout HillbillyBogey??

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    I mentioned this early on fearfully.
     
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