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

If Jaxson doesn't have to start he should be able to have a really strong year doing whatever is asked of him, especially when out there with Luka as a vertical threat and often against other bench players rather than starters which turned out to be too much for him especially in the playoffs.

But I too am intrigued by what Maxi can give us while he's still here.

 

Three-team trade:

LAL gets: Nesmith

UTA gets: Knecht, 2027 LAL 1st (1-4), 2028 LAL swap, 2030 LAL swap, 2030 IND 1st (top-13 protected), 2031 LAL 1st (unprotected)

IND gets: Kessler, Vincent, 2026 LAL swap, 2032 LAL 2nd.

LAL gets highly switchable 3 and D player they need.

UTA gets young shooter in Knecht, and get a significant pick haul.

IND gets franchise big man in Kessler. Would be a good long-term combo with Haliburton. Vincent helps short-term in the backcourt.

 

Congrats Russell on the engagement.

 

Lebron would destroy any of those wings on Houston.

 

Teams I’m worried about OKC Minnesota Denver Golden State

 

The firecrackers are going to implode! That is all...carry on.

 

It is likely then that you have notes on the squad forever known as the "Emotionals".

 

I'm with Slick on this. I like what we have as well. Let's not outsmart ourselves. Unless it was AI, Vando's shot is better. Vando with even a decent shot really tilts the scale the Lakers way. The attention Luka will demand will make it hard to double LeBron. Luka doubled hits LeBron, LeBron takes it to the hoop, he either draws help, in which case he hits a wide open guy. If no help, he scores or gets fouled. KISS is often the best plan. Ride the L & L Express along with some creativity on defense to a championship.

 

Yeah, I saw the Vando footage, but you know how that goes. Hopefully it translates to the games. I think it will. We just need him to significantly increase his volume, while simultaneously bringing up his percentage a little bit. If he could increase his volume to about 1.5 out of 4.5 threes (33.3%) per 36 minutes, that would be huge. Defenses wouldn't be able to sag off of him as much anymore, and we likely would not have to pursue any additional POA players (within reason, and depending on other factors). But, you could never have too many of those guys. OKC showed that. But in terms of keeping our core together with continuity, and our assets, then this would be the ideal scenario. Next, we have Theirro waiting in the wings, who is already a much better offensive player than Vando, except for the three-point shooting, which is about the same. His shooting looked good on video too, so you also have that.