2026-27 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jalen-duren-seeking-close-40-090950613.html

 

I see Orlando waived Jonathan Isaac? Any interest in him?

 

I totally agree. I'm just thinking how do you scrape something out of nothing here? Can you overpay for norman powell and get dean wade adn run it back?
Throw in Thybulle and you get definitely improve on defense across mulitple positions and powell is jut flat out better then Rui.

It's not a slam dunk but at least you're doing the old Pacers trick of just getting better year after year.

 

A great vet minimum prospect IMO.

 

lol, no, i was joking that my theory is that we're going to offer him MORE than that.

 

I also think he's going to get max or near the max for multiple reasons. Yes he sucked in the playoffs but:

- market is thin for centers
- coming off an All Star and All-NBA season
- averaged 20/11
- only 22 years old so he has plenty of time to improve

he's still one of the best center prospects out there, if not us, some other team will probably max him.

 

yeah, the nets could let sharpe walk and offer him a max. or even just put sharpe off a couple days while detroit considers matching (we could try to steal sharpe then).

but i think it's us. i think we're trying to get them to do a S&T by offering duren a max, and i think they're thinking about which option is better (overpaying duren or taking the L). i agree with slick (and the writers, etc.) that duren isn't worth his supermax, but that's what it takes to operate in free agency these days.

 

Nets didn't pick up Ziaire Williams, becomes a free agent.
Good vet min reclamation project. Has the wing frame we need. Him or Isaac would be nice adds to boost our athleticism in the wings at the end of the bench

 

Kobe Luka been touting ziaire, and I’d like him, too, as a larabia type signing.

I think Isaac is done.

 

If the plan is to go for Duren, we might as well trade for Sabonis. Duren isn’t top tier defensively, and he isn’t even great offensively. 40m is a huge overpay, just go get Sabonis who is a little worse defensively but way better offensively.

Or get Kessler who is elite defensively.

 

Just offer him the max and try to sign and trade for him. It's a lot if money, but it's justifiable from a Lakers standpoint.

• Luka is a force multiplier for this type of arctype. Duren may be the best lob-threat that Luka has ever played with in his life. Could bring him from a 24ppg per 36 minutes guy to Shaq level offensive numbers.
• The maximized output justifies the contract more than it would for the Pistons.
• Will only be in age 23 season next year
• Is durable
• Elite rebounder
• Character guy
• He was supposedly on Luka's short list, and I heard a rumor Detroit said to leave him alone. So this move could help ensure Luka stays too

 

Uggh isn't Sabonis 30 and coming off a meniscus injury - uggh. That seems like a terrible fit for a center with the defensive concerns with Luka/AR

Is Kessler is even available.

Duren is 22, I could see why you'd take the risk of an overpay TBH. His trajectory is on the rise despite the bad playoff performance and you wonder how he'd like with 3 playmakers around him not just one.

Beggars can't be choosers is the bad taste in my mouth but if you got an owner with deep pockets I could see them doing this

 

Go read some Detroit fan opinions. They’re hoping they trade Duren for Herro and Turner. They’re wondering what else they have to add to make that work as they feel they’re making off like bandits.

Most of them don’t mind if he leaves and don’t want to overpay at any cost.

I don’t think Kessler is available, but if you’re going to try to max Duren, max Kessler first.

 

except us. So Abeer heres the million dollar question. If we’re holding the 1st round pick from Dallas for Gafford. What and who are we holding the 1st round pick for?

 

Isaac can take whatever minutes Vando would get

 

I think people are massively overlooking the fact that he is 22. Most guys at 22 are just entering the league or in their rookie year. This kid is already all-NBA.

 

I watched those Detroit games so I feel for those fans: I get it but If you really can get Duren it's kind of worth the overpay from the lakers perspective?
You really don't have much room for adding assets, you maxed out Reaves already which is an overpay so that will make trading him or adding more assets more difficult going forward, you could lose Lebron who despite the Lebron haters really was back to an All NBA tlaent by the end of the year?

It's not great but I could see this being a move the Walter led Lakers would be willing to do. You get a 22 year old who was an all nba center to pair with AR and Reaves and you're hoping in the playoffs he'll be better not from experience but also not having to relieve Cade as a secondary offensive guy. I know the Lakers are going for titles and it's the playoffs or bust but man Duren was really good during the regular season

 

I find it weird that with the free agency movement. You haven’t heard a peep about any of our guys. Which leads me to believe that Rob is working on stuff for all of them.

1.Lebron if it was smoke. He’d have a deal by now and wouldn’t care. Some overly zealous team like Detroit would’ve offered him major cheddar to come be their OG vet to put them over the top.

2. Rui it’s been quiet.

3. Marcus it’s been quiet opt out or opt in.

4. Ayton it’s been quiet. Opt out or opt in?

Porzingis I like him and am an intrigued but haven’t heard nothing on that front.

Why would you bring in Mitchell Robinson without keeping Ayton? That’s risky. Hayes Robinson both bad free throw shooters. And no offensive post presence.


Mitchell Robinson doesn’t make free throws and that’s a real thing. So how much can we actually play him.

I like Lawndale but I want Pottier to. Those are all backup alternatives.

 

Austin is better but one makes 33mil the other is set to make 46mil. One will give you more room to build out the roster moving forward. Teams are actually shedding money where they can to avoid high payrolls.