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

Neither player may not be able to walk for free. Their teams can match. So Lakers have to hope either team is open to a sign and trade.

 

I still think Lakers will retain Rui and may be keeping in contact. They have his rights.

 

So you think these are jerk off meetings with Duren?

 

Jerry West was a closer. I want to see Rob Close.

 

A big problem for the Lakers is if they offer Duren or Walker an offer sheet, their cap is tied up until July 8th the earliest.

So they can't use that frozen cap to sign other free agents which puts them in a really bad spot if the top players continue getting signed and role players get snagged for cheap.

This could very well end badly for the Lakers if they don't get Duren or Walker and end up wasting a week watching free agents get signed.

Honestly, I would ditch the Duren/Walker negotiations and focus on getting Watson. Then hit up Milwaukee and offer Knecht, Ayton, Vando, and two first rounders for Kuzma, Ware, and Jaime.

With the remaining money, sign Sandro, Quentin, Smart, Hayes.

Frontcourt: Ware, Hayes, Sandro, Kuzma,
SG: Bronny, Reaves, Quentin, Carr
PG: Luka, Smart
SF: Watson, LaRavia, Adou, Jaime

Lots of wing perimeter talent and scoring. Defense ain't gonna be pretty but hopefully they're at least average

 

restricted free agent

 

Lakers have to offer a large contract to scare off Pistons. With that Lakers big 3. Durden 36mil, Austin46mil Luka 50mil, Rui just might have to skip town and Lakers sign John Collins.

 

Leverage