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

f*** him. But good job. I like the mindset we’re in. I’ve been calling for this. Mark Walters knows what he’s doing. This is it. Bring in new scouts new executive vice president under Rob.

now just do it with the guys from OKC and San Antonio.

 

You can definitely make it work. From memory I was proposing a double trade that netted us Portis too.

Trade 1: Reaves (41), Ayton (8.1), Knecht (4.2), Vando (12.4) for Giannis (58.4) and Portis (14.5)

Luka (49.5) / Kennard (10) / Bronny (2.3)
Smart (10) / Ellis (5.1)
Lebron (26) / Adou (2.1) / Jake (6)
Giannis (58.4) / Rui (16)
Hayes (6.5) / Portis (14.5) / Kleber (2.5)

You end up playing small a lot with Luka, Smart, LeBron and Giannis with a 5th guy.

 

Peyton Watson today at the Lakers training facility wearing Kobe gear

 

it’s confirming Wemby is a different guy. With different guys you always have a shot. It’s not about money. It’s about greatness. This dude’s gonna clear a billion off the court.

1975 Kareem was different 1979 Magic was different 1996 Kobe was different 1984 Jordan was different. 1996 Shaq was different. 2003 Lebron was different these guys have other things that drive them. So greatness is what drives them. I’m not saying it’s gonna be him to the Lakers. But with guys like that you never know.

 

you should be our GM.

 

stop playing with us.

 

Ohhhh boy

 

It's happening.

 

Do not let him leave the building.

 

Probably, but if I'm the Lakers and am helping Miami secure Giannis in a Bucks trade by sending out First(s) to Milwaukee, I'm probably making the asking price for what the Lakers get in return to be Wiggins and Ware. Maybe Miami send out Herro and Jaquez, in addition to their #13 pick in this year's draft to Milwaukee in lieu of Ware?

 

New report this morning saying lakers won’t make substantial changes to the roster, with pursuing RFA’s like Watson, Duren and Kessler not likely.

I think Detroit would be silly to let Duren walk. Utah we know want a kings ransom for Kessler and I highly doubt Denver lets their best young player in Watson walk.

The next best free agents (without player options or RFA’s) are:

- LeBron James
- Austin Reaves
- Ayo Dosunmu
- Norman Powell
- Rui Hachimura
- Tobias Harris
- CJ McCollum
- Kelly Oubre Jr
- Marcus Smart
- Coby White
- Quentin Grimes
- Luke Kennard

We have 3 of the top 5 free agents this year and 5 of the top 12. I assume we just retain those guys and try to add one more if we can and/or make a trade.

 

i think we need to make sure denver feels pressure to blow up their roster to keep watson, and same with dosunmu in minny. these are two direct competitors that should have trouble returning their teams UNLESS nobody challenges them.

this is why i think operating over the cap should be plan b.

 

Our offer of 3 first rounders and cap space for Giannis is kind of the floor for what they’ll want. Our best offer is 3 first rounders and Reaves - who’s worth another 2 firsts easy.

But I imagine there’s better out there though.

Heat could offer 3 firsts, Wiggins, Ware and Herro.

 

we can't really "offer" reaves without some delicate conversations (that could upend our offseason if handled poorly).

that said, is cap space and three firsts worse than wiggins/ware/herro/3 1sts? i'm not sure, lol.

 

If both those teams match, you’ve renounced your rights on LeBron, Rui, Kennard, Hayes and Smart probably opts out.

I like the concept of forcing those teams to make tough decisions. But do our free agents sign elsewhere? Maybe LeBron and Smart could do us a solid and wait 48 hours? Hayes should do so as well.

Kennard is probably lost as a result. But we could offer Watson 30, Ayo 20 and be close to offering Rui 15? It just means if we win Watson and Ayo, Lebron has to take the Room if he wants to stay and Smart is gone or vice versa.

I still think we’ll bring everyone back and the fans will be disappointed.

 

If you flip Hero and Wiggins for a first each, it’s 5 firsts and Ware. I think that’s significantly better. Then the bucks can still rent out there cap space for picks.

If they’re smart they accept the Heat offer, send us Wiggins for our junk and a first. Send Herro to Detroit for picks. And rent out their cap space to a team for an additional first. They should tank and rent out cap space yearly like OKC did, in 5 years they could have a new young team and franchise player if they get lucky.

 

If they do the Heat trade, we should send Vando, Ayton, Knecht and Jake plus 3 firsts and some swaps for Wiggins and Ware.

If you operate over the cap you can bring everyone back.

Luka (49.5) / Kennard (10) / Bronny (2.3)
Reaves (41) / Smart (9.1) / Vet Min (2.5)
Wiggins (30.2) / Thybulle (6) / Adou (2.1)
Lebron (30) / Rui (15.1)
Ware (4.7) / Hayes (6.5) / Kleber (2.5)

 

how are the Heat going to build around Giannis and Bam? That's a super clunky fit, both are non-shooters.

and if they are trading Bam, can we have him?