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

Yeah, we are top heavy with a bunch of pieces that don't go together. Been that way for awhile honestly. Time to put together a cohesive and functioning roster

 

Lakers could ask Ayton to opt-out of his 8.1 million player option, and promose to pay him the full 9.4 million room-exception. Ayton gets a 1.3 million raise for his trouble. Thats about 14%.pretty significant. Now, it would have to be only a one-year deal, so his status doesbt change much other than we wouldnt be able to trade him until December 15. Lakers could also chose to do this instead with Smart. That would give the Lakers an extra 8.1 million or so to work with in free agency.

 

you're cutting kennard loose there, though--which guy would you rather have?

though i guess given our recent history, we're probably not super committed to keeping kennard anyway.

if we want ayton's space, we could probably get him to take a buyout at like 6 million (vet min for him is 3, and someone will give him that for sure, imo, so he makes a million here), then stretch that. it doesn't give us the full 8, but it could give us about 6.

we could also just roll his deal into a trade where we take someone into space, but the other team has to eat his contract to help offset. the most sensible one here would be cleveland for jarrett allen (they get a playable center back who's probably better than they could get on the open market). but if lebron's going there (he is), that's a no go, as it seems pretty clear lebron is probably the guy who hates ayton the most.

 

I like Kennard but I come to terms with possibly letting him go. Yeah, the buy out route for Ayton would be preferable. Lakers could do the opt-out and room MLE thing with Smart. Not that Smart is so much better, but we utilize his opt out as a path for some additional room. Can't do that with Kennard. Lakers could also renounce Hayes and his 6.5 million cap hold, and sign him with with room-exception, but he might actually get higher offers, and I wouldn't want to risk it. I rather just sign him to 10-12 million with bird-rights if need be.

 

Was THIS what the Lakers saw .... asking for a friend? Sumptin' in da feet?

......the metatarsals are five long bones located in the midfoot, positioned between the tarsal bones (ankle/heel) and the phalanges (toes). They form the structure of the forefoot, help with balance and walking, and are commonly associated with injuries like stress fractures or pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia).
Key details about the metatarsals:

• Location: The main part of the foot, running from the midfoot to the base of the toes.
• Number: There are five in each foot, numbered 1-5, starting from the great toe side.
• Function: They provide structure and support for movement and balance.
• Common Issues: Metatarsalgia (pain), stress fractures, or fractures from

 

Ideal path would be to surround Luka and Reaves with an elite rim-protector/lob-catcher and two lock-down defenders who could also shoot at least 35% from three at decent volume.

Possible Rim Protector/ Lob Catchers

• Kessler
• Missi
• Claxton

Possible Lock-down defender/ Shooters

• Ellis
• Watson
• Eason
• Dort

Other possibilities:

• Murphey
• Grimes
• Allen
• Wade
• Trent
• Carr (NBA draft)
• Lopez (NBA draft)

Side-Note: Both Watson and Ellis are elite shot-blockers for their positions.

 

C D. Ayton Out
F L. James Out
C M. Kleber Out
good that is Indiana