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

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

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  1. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

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    very interesting which is completely different than media is showing

    Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić are among the stars who defend against other stars the least.
    Curry, James, and Dončić rarely take on opposing stars on defense.
    Sportradar released a chart showing how often star players guard other stars. Here, “star” refers to the top 30 scorers of the current season.
    Since defensive matchups often depend on size, the y-axis shows time spent guarding big men, while the x-axis shows time spent guarding other stars.
    Players who guard star opponents the least—and also don’t often defend big men—include: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Norman Powell, Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell, Deni Avdija, Michael Porter Jr., Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, and Kevin Durant (highlighted in purple on the chart).
    Those who most often defend big men are: Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam, Julius Randle, and Jalen Johnson (blue dashed).
    And players who defend stars the most include: Franz Wagner, Lauri Markkanen, Keon Johnson, Jalen Brown, Zion Williamson, James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, (surprise and Austin Reaves.)
     
    KuzmoBall17, Jan 15, 2026 at 1:34 PM
    #7501
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  2. LakeShowAZ

    LakeShowAZ - Lakers 6th Man -

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    NBA trade deadline 2026: One player to watch on all 30 teams

    Los Angeles Lakers

    https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47600410/nba-trade-deadline-2026-morant-kuminga-sabonis-all-30-teams-player-watch#lal
     
    LakeShowAZ, Jan 15, 2026 at 2:26 PM
    #7502
  3. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    The graph is interesting, but it is hardly a groundbreaking analysis. “Stars who guard bigs” are mostly bigs themselves.

    “Stars who do not guard stars” tend to be high usage offensive players who need to conserve energy (Luka), or some combination of smaller, slower, or older players, which naturally places them in that category (Steph/Bron). This is how you "hide" them.

    “Stars who guard stars” are usually strong defenders who can still carry an offensive load, players who manage their minutes carefully, or, in some cases, players who struggle defensively and therefore... are not really asked to (or capable of) guard(ing) anyone in particular.

    Austin ends up in this group almost by default, since Luka is our primary offensive weapon and typically guards mid sized players, while LeBron is older. Someone has to take on the perimeter star, and that responsibility simply falls to Austin. It is the same reason Harden often shows up in this category, and yes, that comparison stings a bit. But you can't hide everyone and AR gets the worst assignment and gets carved up by small, mobile players.
     
    karacha, Jan 15, 2026 at 2:52 PM
    #7503
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  4. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    Glad we're responsible for breaking the Grizzlies. Again.



     
    JSM, Jan 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM
    #7504
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  5. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Not even sure what this really means, of course his camp would like it, but the Pelicans are the ones who would have to have interest.

     
    Weezy, Jan 15, 2026 at 4:14 PM
    #7505
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  6. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    Odd indeed. That only matters if A) he's a FA. B) He has the ability to demand a trade and force his way somewhere.

    He's neither
     
    JSM, Jan 15, 2026 at 4:17 PM
    #7506
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  7. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    The Kings have to make a move! They've won 3 in a row since Lavine came back (beaten the Lakers, Knicks, and Rockets so it's real lol). I know the lottery odds have been flattened but they will lose spots at this rate.
     
    Pioneer10, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:17 PM
    #7507
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  8. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    very kangz to discover a (semi) winning formula 40 games in.
     
    abeer3, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:22 PM
    #7508
  9. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Smells like a smoke screen.
     
    showtime24, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:42 PM
    #7509
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  10. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    JSM, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:51 PM
    #7510
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