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

It probably is on the low side for Eason, yeah. I'm just not sold at all on the idea of overpaying Keon Ellis so much and I'd rather get creative and find a player who I feel more comfortable committing to a big contract/potential overpay instead, like Eason or Watson.

The argument for Eason being an easier target for us is that he's way more 'replaceable' on Houston than Watson is on Denver, so Houston wouldn't necessarily be opposed to flipping Eason for draft capital, which could in turn help Houston make a big move of their own after the fact if they feel the need to do so.

For the record, I prefer Watson. So if I'm wrong and it turns out to be easier for us to get Watson than Eason, I'll be elated. I'm just sticking with Eason in my speculations/hypothetical roster constructions for the offseason to try and keep it more 'reasonable' in my head.

I really want us to get Watson. I just don't know if we'll get lucky enough to nab him up.

 

This is how it has to be.

Luka 51

Reaves 30

Lebron 18

Lakers can win a championship like this. Luka has to take 50 shots.

from a basketball standpoint Luka has to shoot like Curry meaning Luka has to have everything has to be dictated around him.

Reaves needs his turn.

and Lebron can play the Draymond Green role. Running offense and getting what he can Threes.

 

Let Reaves play the Jaylon Brown role. Ayton can clean up around the Rim. This can win.

 

Anybody is crazy who thinks Shai is the MVP over Luka. Luka is the MVP. It’s clear. This is the guy I saw at the beginning of the season.

 

We need to get this tie breaker. We need the home court against Denver. That’s huge.

 

30-32m for Watson means Denver has to let go of Gordon and Cam Johnson. I’m fine with us locking up our cap space for 48 hours to force them to do that… it’s a big blow to them as a team.

But Houston, I just can’t see them offloading Eason. They’re trying to climb the mountain and are still below the 2nd Apron even overpaying him. Compare that to Denver and OKC who are both over the 2nd Apron… they’re the ones who have to make tough decisions.

For OKC they have 3 team options on Dort, Hartenstein and Kenrich. They’d probably rather get something in return that just letting these guys walk for nothing. A 1st for Dort is great for them, we could probably make them eat Knecht in return.

Heck, I wonder if we could entice them to take 2 firsts, Vando and Ayton for Hartenstein and Dort. That’s 20.5m going out (Ayton and Vando) and 46.7 coming in for a net gain of 26.5m. If OKC waive Kenrich, they’ve lowered their cap by 33.4 and added a decent backup center and another defender plus two future firsts.

If we can resign Hayes for 4m and dump Knecht we’d have 23m-ish in cap space. I’d throw that at Eason/Watson and force their teams to match. Otherwise bring back LeBron for another run. Best case scenario:

Luka / Smart / Bronny
Reaves / Kennard / Bufkin
Dort / LaRavia
Eason or Watson / Adou
IHart / Hayes / Kleber

That’s a pretty tough wing rotation. We improve at center. Maybe we’re still lacking a POA defender but I try to develop Bronny/Bufkin/Manon into that.