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

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

  1. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    Yeah, if they choose to go that way, I'm not opposed. I've been talking about getting Ware, Claxton and Robinson/Timelord. Heck, I'm also happy to keep Ayton if we can improve in other places.

    Another potential is Gobert, I think the Wolves want to shake things up and if he shakes loose, he is a walking top 10 defence. Guy keeps himself in really good shape and should have another 3 or so years of elite rim protection. Plus the lobs with Luka... the guy is like the ultimate Luka center.

    We could absorb him into our cap space or do a three team trade sending them Ayton + Jake plus a first and Knecht + Vando plus a first elsewhere.

    Luka (49.5) / Kennard (10) / Bronny (2.3)
    Reaves (37) / Smart (9 MLE)
    Spencer Jones (6 MLE) / Vet Min (2.5)
    Lebron (30) / Rui (15.1) / Adou (2.1)
    Gobert (36.5) / Hayes (6.5) / Kleber (2.5)

    Yeah that's fair. Having multiple 3pt shooters on the floor helps. You'll have space for the primary ball handler, people can't double Luka otherwise he'll throw up the lob. If you take that away, Luka will swing it to Lebron/Reaves who can attack a shuffling defense and if the help is quick, they can pass it to two of the best in shooters in the league in Rui/Kennard and they can also swing it to a SF that can hit at 40%. It's just tough to stop that, it's kind of the OKC model. Sell out to stop our top guy and we'll attack you from across the floor while you're rotating.

    It's up to the coaching staff to put Lebron and Reaves in positions where they can succeed, no? Yes, Reaves had troubles against Minnesota last year, but he was playing with a broken toe, this year he had an oblique strain. I agree with you that at some point injuries are just excuses - I started holding it against AD and moving forward I will with AR too since he is going to be on 30m+.

    However, with saying all that, Reaves still scored efficiently in two out of the four games against OKC and put up a respectable sum in game 3 too. If you're second option puts up 31 points on 10/16, 27 points on 8/16 and 17 on 5/13 over 3 games, you should be in every game and probably win 2 out of 4. We got beat because we couldn't score consistently - Luka should fix this and because we couldn't stop any penetration, whether that's with a big that can dissuade attacking the basket or POA defenders that can slow down ball handlers - I don't really care. Same thing last year, when Ant, McDaniels, DDV, NAW (now Ayo) can just attack you relentlessly at the rim, it's a problem.

    Spencer is a stud, he'd be instantly our best wing defender for 26 mins a game and if he is hitting at 30% and finishing at the rim, he could be a game changer for us.

    Don't really get how leaving Luka and Reaves to defend the team's opposing best ball handlers is a sound strategy - but all good.
     
  2. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    Yeah, so that's why I'm not opposed to him being traded. But if he stays, I think he can improve his shot. I'm not asking him to be a ball handler, just hit open 3's. If you don't think there is a possibility his shot could improve to that level, then we just don't see it the same way and can agree to disagree on this one. I'm not even that invested to be honest, I like Jake, but he is hardly the player I'll die on a hill for when we don't have our top 8 guys set properly. And at 6m whether he is here or not just doesn't bother me that much.


    EDIT: He was still better than DFS...
     
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  3. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Lakers Starter -

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    We’re talking about AD who won us a championship. Not some scrub. The dude was great for us. And went toe to toe with Jokic and won.

    we make trades with teams who trade with us. Washington is a trade partner. AD would be a possibility. s*** Deangelo Russell came back.

    AD and Luka would be great with the pick and roll. Yall talk about Luka protection. You need a guy back there that can guard 1-5. I’ve seen him do it against Curry. And win us a playoff series.
     
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  4. ldawg

    ldawg - Rookie -

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    I would swap Lebron for Davis no question ask.
     
  5. ldawg

    ldawg - Rookie -

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    Austin is out of excuses. he is in his prime. Season before Last Ham, Last season big toe, This season obliques, What will be the excuse next season? Austin was complaining about the refs not his obliques.
     
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  6. VladeD714

    VladeD714 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Well, until a better player becomes available, he's going to be here.

    There isn't anybody "right now" on the trade block I'd trade him for tbh. Don't want Giannis, Kawhi is too old, etc.

    idk any potentially disgruntled start that might want out. it's just a matter of being patient and waiting for the right deal.
     
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  7. Slick2021

    Slick2021 - Lakers MVP -

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    Don't really get how leaving Luka and Reaves to defend the team's opposing best ball handlers is a sound strategy - but all good.


    Yet somehow we've posted back to back 50 win seasons, doing exactly that. There is more than one way to get the job done. We sometimes undervalue the problems we present to opposing teams. I still think we are a few smaller moves away. NOW. After Lebron leaves, we are going need more retooling.
     
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  8. VladeD714

    VladeD714 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Yeah, but bounced in the first round and swept in the second round this year.

    Sucks. I'd like to be playing in June.
     
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  9. Slick2021

    Slick2021 - Lakers MVP -

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    Thinking that we are getting past the 2nd rd, without Luka is just being unrealistic.
     
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  10. VladeD714

    VladeD714 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Uh, he was here last year and we got bounced in the first round. Does that count?

    As for this year, I never expected it, but to not win a game? Kind of embarrassing really.
     
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  11. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    We can't afford AD. Unless you want to let one of Lebron or Reaves go.

    Honestly, AD is in the past. It’s time to move on.
     
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  12. Slick2021

    Slick2021 - Lakers MVP -

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    I'd trade Reaves for AD. Hell yeah. He's only 32 and played 71 games the year before the trade, and 41 with us before the trade. I discount the stuff in Dallas and Washington. The major injury was a finger or something, plus the tanking element. I'd roll that dice but, he'd have to extend at a lower rate for 3 or more seasons. He always seems to be ready to go, by the time the playoffs come tbh, except that Phoenix series.
     
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  13. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Lakers Starter -

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    I don’t know. ADs a gamer. Ads problem was he had Deangelo Russell behind him or In front of him he had a guy who wouldn’t show up and Lebron.


    Luka is a different beast. He makes him an All Star MVP candidate. I’m just saying. I’d make a move for him then overpay LeBron or Reaves.

    but if he’s available. I’d like to get him. I just think one of the big pieces we’ve missed is Center. Our interior has been shot and he sures up alot of problems.
     
  14. ldawg

    ldawg - Rookie -

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    Yes but i think this makes us stagnant. Bad enough to be a bad team but at the same time not good enough to be a great team. I am ok with that if they also have young players in the making. I dont expect a title every year.
     
  15. Slick2021

    Slick2021 - Lakers MVP -

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    I might be interested in Zach Lavine, if the Kings take back, at least half of that contract and give me thier two 2nds (34 and 45.) We might be able to move up in the draft. Lavine at 24M, and a draft pick in the teens, is not terrible. We'd also have a 49M expiring contract, to shop at the deadline.
     
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  16. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    Taking back AD isn’t so easy. Washington would have to take Reaves at the full max and then Vando and Knecht. The guy is making 58.5m.

    Luka (49.5) / Kennard (10) / Bronny (2.3)
    Smart (9) / Jake (6) / Vet Min (2.5)
    Spencer Jones (6.1) / Adou (2.1)
    Lebron (33) / Rui (15) / Vet Min (2.5)
    AD (58.5) / Ayton (8.1) / Hayes (4.5)

    We could do Reaves, Vando & Knecht plus 1 first for AD. Basically if we don’t win a championship with this team, we better hope Adou develops into OG Anunoby otherwise we are bare of talent.

    But we probably have two good years to win if everyone is healthy. I would give Kennard, Smart 3 year contracts with a team option in year 3. Give LeBron a two year contract. AD has two years left on his deal.

    Rui I would give a 4 year contract with a TO in year 3 and a PO in year 4. Spencer I would give him a 4 year with a TO in year 4.

    If we could get Ellis for the vet minimum that would be great too.

    Would be cool to see AD and Ayton together, maybe they could build some chemistry.
     
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  17. ldawg

    ldawg - Rookie -

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    Ayton, MPJ, Rui, Luka, Austin. JJ import a real offense with ball movement remove hero ball chucking. Bench Hayes, Theo, Adou, Laravia, Thubulle, Smart
     
  18. ldawg

    ldawg - Rookie -

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    Ayton, Gafford, Wiggins, Luka, Smart bench Hayes, Rui, Lariva, Austin, Ellis.
     
  19. ldawg

    ldawg - Rookie -

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    J Allen, Rui, Luka, Kelly porter jr, Austin, bench Hayes, Adou, Jake, Tybulle, Smart
     
  20. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

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    .


    ‍‍️
    Go parlay prince

    A bettor at DraftKings Sportsbook is one Spurs win away from turning a $2,500 futures parlay into a staggering $1.7 million payday.

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    Team USA men’s hockey to win Olympic gold (+180)

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    Knicks to win the Eastern Conference (+330)

    Spurs to win the Western Conference (+850)

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    Team USA topped Canada 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 22 for its first Olympic gold medal since 1980. Michigan plowed its way through March Madness before beating UConn 69-63 in the national championship game on April 6. The Knicks then swept the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, clinching the series on Monday to return to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.

    ��
    When the Western Conference Finals were knotted 2-2 entering Game 5, DraftKings offered the bettor a cashout worth $502,583.66 — but he turned it down.

    San Antonio lost Game 5, 127-114, dropping to 3-2 in the series, and the cashout value dropped to $293,273.26.

    The bettor declined the offer again, and the Spurs clapped back with a commanding 118-91 Game 6 victory on Thursday to force a winner-take-all Game 7 in Oklahoma City.

    DraftKings has since raised the cashout offer to $612,212.95, though the bettor told the sportsbook he still isn’t interested.
     
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