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

But Luka and Austin aren't athletic either right? So basically we are going to have to flip the majority of the roster, in order to compensate for that, post Lebron?

 

They can copy NY build move on from both Lebron and Austin add Sibonis.

well neither is Towns or Brunson. So the others that fill out the roster cant be as such. So yeah flip it.

 

One can be close but still be far. Teams will improve, A team like Rockets may be more healthy. Lebron will be a year older. Teams figure you out. My concern is when and how the success came. To much complaining and trips to the free throw line. Did not get to see how they would have done in amore physical setting. So for me its still hard to say if they were close or still ways off. Lakers beating Rockets with no Austin no Luka can be misleading. Rockets were without KD, Adams and Vanfleet.

 

Haven't done a search on this yet, but has anyone tried this?

82-0.com

Shockingly fun. Took me about 40ish tries to get 82-0.

 

If Lakers dont make any significant noise with Luka/Austin/Lebron just like they didnt with Davis/Lebron/Austin what would one say was the problem. I expect both Lebron and Austin to be back in LA next season. If Smart, Rui, Ayton, Luke returns they will be the same team with a slight tweak

 

How did Lebron and AD not make any significant noise? They won a championship.

What are you talking about here?What's your definition of "significant noise" , and which teams are your putting into this cart?

 

Yes they did. But Davis/Lebron/Austin did not. Being a serious contender making noise. The one year they beat GSW, Grizz, they were somewhat athletic with hustle players. So its kind of strange they never made noise when not being athletic. Not saying they cant it just never happened. In these times they always struggle defensively. Maybe coincidence. Its just like each time Lebron won a title he had another athletic player that ran the floor well.

 

Have me thinking. Rondo, Kyrie Wade all elite ball handlers. Pope, Wade, JR Smith all dynamic. Bosh, Davis, Love talented big man. If looking at the two teams in the finals very similar. OKC, Boston?

 

lol, i could kill an hour there, kept getting some bad spins, though, lol.

 

Miles Bridges available trade.

Domantas Sabonis probably traded. Looking at Charlotte Sacramento likes their picks.

 

LeBrons most likely coming back.

 

Trey Murphy & Miles Bridges TRADE Update

 

Free Agent Update: The BEST Cheap Options!

 

BREAKING Trade & Free Agency Buzz Around The NBA

 

I've come around to being fine with basically any of our free agents leaving. LeBron, Rui, Marcus, Kennard, Hayes.

I'm fine with LeBron going and us truly kicking off the Luka era so long as the FO realizes that we need another like Top 40ish guy in his place. I need a Trey Murphy trade or at minimum bring in Watson and make another significant swing at center.

For Rui, I'd just rather have one or two more athletic/versatile guys in his place even if it (most likely) means a shooting downgrade. Of any skill, shooting is the one thing I think can be improved by virtue of someone coming here and playing with Luka.

For Marcus, I want him back but would be fine if losing him meant locking in a younger, clear member of a closing 5 type guy. I think he ultimately provided the blueprint of a type of guy we need with Luka and Austin, but he may not actually be that guy himself. I also wouldn't put it past him to want to go back to the C Bags tbh, I feel like they could use him.

Kennard I am the most out on, he's the same guy he's always been. Awesome shooter, but not a volume or movement shooter. Can handle the ball but will never do it unless he's literally forced to by injuries. Ultimately, not a Top 8 guy on a contender.

As for Hayes, it's really more about what else we do at the center spot. If Ayton is gone and we make a pretty big swing at center (Duren, Kessler, Gobert), sign me up for Hayes as the backup all day. But if we go for more of a timeshare or committee, it could make more sense for Ayton to be the backup (if he opts in of course) depending on who the other guy is. Then it's up to Hayes if he wants to be 2b or 3rd string.

 

Very good insights, talented players help other talented players win.

 

Agree with everything, especially Bron, Rui and Kennard, it's on point.

On Smart, I absolutely love him and really want him back. But starting to hear some chatter that he might leave and you make a good point. He may well be gone, even more when we are unlikely to give him a raise this year.
I think we will lose A LOT, I think he won us multiple games just by doing multiple winning plays and setting the tone the rest of the team followed.

Sabonis has been talked for Charlotte. That would be awesome as Diabate would probably get available as they won't want to pay him next year, I'd imagine. Hope we get in on that deal

 

ULTIMATE BORING RUN IT BACK PLAN!!!

DRAFT NIGHT
Trade Vanderbilt + Knecht + #25 to New Orleans for Herb Jones and Missi

WHY FOR LAKERS?
Obtain two players that fit needs and are capable of starting.

• Herb fits the need of switchable POA defender who has shown he can shoot good enough. Lakers would have to get him into their new movement lab and fix his shot. He hit only 31% or so past couple seasons. Last seasons he made 1.8/5.9 per 36 minutes. He's not nearly as far off as Vanderbilt, who has hit only about 29% past couple seasons and only has made 0.9/3.2 per 36 minutes. Additionally, Herb has shown solid shooting in the past, as his career 35% 3-pt shooting and 1.3/3.8 per 36 minutes suggest. Vando on the other hand is a career 29% 3-pt shooter on a minuscule 0.4/1.3 per 36 minutes.
• Say what you want about Missi, but he was 4th in blocks per 36 minutes in blocks last season, behind Wemby, Huff, and Robert Williams. He is also shown that he is a good lob-threat, and he was a starter in his rookie season. Still not a finished product, but he checks the boxes.

WHY FOR PELICANS?

• They are rumored to want to trade into the draft.
• Missi doesn't seem to be in their plans, and has burned half of his rookie deal.
• Jones is about to get pretty expensive after next season, and has underwhelmed past couple years. His deal is richer, and two year's longer than Vando's.
• They were one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA, so they take a flyer on Knecht. Chances are he will do much better with a fresh start. Shooting wise, Knecht still wasn't atrocious, hitting 34% last season on his usual high volume per 36 minutes.

FREE AGENCY

• Lebron 2-years/60 million with player option
• Rui 3-years/60 million
• Smart 3-years/24 million (MLE)
• Spencer Jones 4-years/28 million (MLE)
• Tyus Jones 1-year/Vet minimum
• Beauchamp 1-year/Vet minimum
• Reaves 4-years/180 million
• Hayes 3-years/21 million
• 2-way contracts: Okpara, Kaluma, J Gilespie

ROTATION

PG: Luka, Reaves, T Jones
SG: Reaves, S Jones, Beauchamp
SF: H Jones, Smart, Bronny
PF: Lebron, Rui, Thiero, LaRavia
C: Missi, Hayes, Ayton

 

^^^ that's hardly "ULTIMATE BORING RUN IT ALL BACK PLAN".

 

I remember hearing during the season that their net lineup data with Diabate in was crazy. I'd love to have him if they go for Sabonis.

Sabonis in Charlotte is a weird fit to me, but frankly Sabonis is an awkward fit anywhere. On one of the many pods I've listened to over the last couple of days someone said Sabonis is definitely one of the Top 50 best players in the league, but he's maybe the single hardest Top 50 guy to fit into a lineup. I think that's right. If Sabonis is on your team, you kind of have to be a Sabonis team now. Doesn't work for everyone.