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

Well thing about it for a sec. Each time Lakers faced an elite team in the playoffs. The results have been 1 game won at best. The team consisted of Lebron/Austin and at times either Davis or Luka. Denver, wolves and now Okc. 1 month of solid play does not erase that. Hustle, energy defense has been an ongoing issue. That's 3 straight seasons 2 post seasons wins for Austin.

 

And think about “this” for a second how you’d be OK with THIS plan to fix it all.

 

get to work rob

with luka's recent health history, there really isn't much time left to win it all with him

 

I have to agree.

I think the timeline to win with Luka is the next 4-6 years. After that, I'm not going to trust his body.

If the Lakers can snag 2-3 titles in that timeframe, that would be a job well done. Anything less than two would be a failure.

 

okc's not going anywhere for a while. let's just aim for one

not to mention that pelinka doesn't exactly have the best track record when it comes to surrounding his stars with talent

 

if that length and athleticism can't defend POA, that lob threat better be a 100% healthy version of robert williams that plays 82 games, 36mpg!

 

Because I would rather give Luka the pieces that fit him and if he gets injured and the team falls to lotto you get a high pick out of it rather than be good enough to fail in the 1st round minus Luka. The team won't win a title without its best player. Not sure if I did a good job explaining. Ex Spurs were good with Robinson not a true lotto team but a down year they ended up with Tim Duncan.

 

I was thinking maybe there some players who are good but payed and have expectation are too high (i.e. Gordon in Orl as a #1 instead of a #2). So i looked up Keegan Murray - potential supposed 3 and D guy, bad franchise maybe there somethingd but then saw his advanced stats and quickly left thinking about Kings lol

 

Hmm Dean Wade is an UFA - he would be a big upgrade on the Vando/Jake archetype. very good defender and you have to guard him on offense. Unlike a guy like Ellis he's actually starting. I don't think he should be a starter but he just a better player then Vando and Jake. Solid upgrade

adding ellis with a guy like Wade gets your rotation calibre defensive guys up significantly. Different defensive looks

 

Kegan Murray was a player I was hoping Lakers can snag from Kings

 

it's not a bad idea, and i do think that's the path. my guys that fall into that aaron gordon category would be suggs, quickley, and maybe dejounte murray. all risks. all accused of being overpaid or not quite meeting expectations, all could fit very nicely into our starting lineup with luka/reaves/lebron.

would be great if we could use some space and vando and a couple 1sts to get any of them, imo. then bring back as much as you can.

though it sounds like we're maybe prioritizing center again.

 

I've been enamored with quickley for awhile - his numbers seem to match what you want. Good individual defender and the ability to hit contested jumpshots.

A rotation of Luka, Lebron, AR, Smart, Quickley, Wade, Rui, Ayton, Hayes. That's a very good 9 man rotation there. Good depth, a lot of different offensive and defensive looks

 

From Toronto - do you take a swing at RJ barrett? he's a guy I would throw the draft picks at for sure. He's going to want to get paid and i think he's a guy you want as a 2 or 3. SOlid defender, good across the board on offense. Is he real match with Barnes whose the clear franchise piece up there - not so sure but he makes a lot of sense with Luka

 

in your scenario, you're assuming smart and ayton both opt in and wade is room exception? i think smart opting is highly unlikely, though i'd love it.

 

yeah, he'd be another that fits into this category. toronto would want you to take ingram, though, lol. not into that anymore.

 

I hate him lol
Had him in a couple fantasy teams in different years, he is so inconsistent. He found something in Toronto but is still very up and down.
Ignoring my emotions he is an interesting fit, quite athletic, attacks the basket and has developed his 3 shooting. Not a good defender per se but can hold his ground with his athleticism.
In the right context he can maybe thrive but would personally stay away from him

 

The big Key Lukas gotta play.

Lob threat this. The team would’ve been way better if Luka played.

Lukas gotta play. He tore his hamstring.

 

That's great, Magic.



Just teasin'

 

Totally get it he's not an aesthitically pleasing player. I've liked his defense when watching, but the advanced metric don't like his D. However, He's athletic, good scorer, can shoot, doesn't need to have the ball, he can hold his own athletically on defense across mulitple positions. This is a big one for me with Lebron Luka being big forwards I want a guy who is positionally flexible.

Barrett gives you a chance to play size across the boards that can actually handle most switches - Lebron, Luka, RJ, Smart with a Dean Wade? for example that is a lineup coaches aren't going to be thrilled about attacking unless you have a true post up big