2026-27 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

How are you going to convince a player that said he dont think they are contenders, He was the best player in their playoff run but have to accept the least amount of money. You dont see how that wont sit well with him? He would rather play for less elsewhere than be disrespected.

 

This did not come from Lebron himself but its safe to say he wanted Austin in a Manu role off the bench. His agent did not say that out the blue. Also have to look at Lebron body language and what he said after the playoffs.

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LeBron James reportedly felt disrespected after the Lakers asked him to accept a pay cut, especially considering Kobe Bryant received a fully guaranteed 2-year, $48.5 million extension late in his career.
Adding to the tension, the Lakers reportedly met with Luka Dončić last summer to discuss their vision for the 2026 offseason—and LeBron James was not included in those long-term plans.........
Lakers are committed to Austin Luka the best thing to do was for a Lebron split....

Lebron is not the avg 42 year old and in his mind still a top 20 player. If you look at what Kawhi signed Lebron was not going to be happy. Had Austin Took less like Brunson maybe then he would have felt a little better taking less. ... This all started Last summer when JJ challenged Austin. The pecking order.

 

I don’t blame him for feeling this way…but also…Bron……are you shocked? It’s fine now, but like also……I feel like you can’t be super hurt by this too.

whatever. To each their own.

 

That’s a damn good roster. That’s the best roster I’ve seen posted on here. Where’s Carr?

 

Let’s f***ing go!!!!! Get it done Robbbbb!!!!!! If we come out with Duren Grimes Mando and Kaminga. I’ll pack Lebrons bags for him.

 

I just want to be younger more explosive and more athletic.

 

My bar to clear on whether this is a good or bad offseason is this team:

Luka / Smart / Bronny
Reaves / Kennard / Carr
(MLE) / Jake / Adou
Lebron / Rui
Claxton / Ayton / Hayes

+ retaining a first

I don’t see how we do that unless we get 2x RFA’s - a wing and a center

 

Honestly this could be a disaster with the way the aprons work - if you have to spend that much money luka, ar, and a center whose not named wemby or jokic that could kill your cap space.

I would really think long and hard about changing the mindset and just getting assets: guys like Zion who you can rehabilitate, first rounds picks for salary dumps you can then dump in a year or two

 

Since Lakers are committed to Austin Luka the best thing to do was for a Lebron split. It became toxic

I think if Austin was an established allstar player and they made a deep playoff run maybe Or took less than max maybe it sit better with him. But this was not going to go smooth the way it went down.

 

remember now JJ got extended, Austin got max, Luka got an extension and he was asked to take a pay cut. All while carrying the load late in the season and playoffs. So he seem to be the only person being squeezed. only person that must sacrifice.

 

Lakers and Clippers both tearing it down.

 

Zion dont fit. He is just a dunker.

 

Dude..the Kang has already left the building. That horse is dead AF now.

 

Lakers? They just signed Austin to a Max and have Luka. This was in motion since last summer. They are building around Luka not tearing it down. But they have to take steps.

 

This was always going to happen if LeBron left, sadly.

Just not enough salary cap to cover his absence. And with everyone else wanting more money and an entire roster to fill out, you just don't have the capacity to fill every role. All the while, there are younger and better teams that have better contracts.

Take for example, OKC. Better overall roster, cheaper, and more long-term assets.
Same with Spurs and Minnesota.

LeBron was key to everything because he could cover Luka/Reaves having bad games and at the same time, be a swiss army knife. It will not be easy to replace a guy who can do everything on the court.

Lakers have to really hope they nail some exceptional value down in these free agent signings. Hopefully a few guys they sign can outplay their contract value and they can build on that. I'm really hoping LaRavia and Adou can step it up. If Adou can be the "OG Anunoby" type player for the Lakers, now we're talking. If Carr can be a lethal 3/D 40% sniper, you can work with that. But if all three of them are duds, man, it's going to be a brutal season.

 

If he was willing to do that. If Lakers have all 3 on 50 mil your looking at a 1st round exit team. Maybe second depending on the 1st round opponent.

 

I think what we are not seeing is Austin was on a bargain contract. once he got paid his market or above market value it was bout to happen, Even Smart was under paid not even counting Ayton. Last years teams was it. to keep this team together everyone not named Luka would of had to accept less. Similar to NY

 

Finally Slick speaks !!!!!!!

 

We looking like a lottery/play in team right now. However we have the rest of the week to sort it out. We shall see what Rob's master plan was shortly. The 27 FRP goes to Memphis if it falls outside of the top 4, and we don't have a 2nd rd pick. Gotta hit big by Saturday IMO.