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

No more draft compensation. I think Lakers do not have any tradeable 1sts or 2nds right now.

They gotta find a way to move out of Vando... Unless Ayton+Vando are somehow included?

 

Was waiting on Boston to do something

 

Don’t like that it took both of our 1sts since now it’s impossible to dump Vando, but at least we got our center. Don’t care about the pick swaps. We should be good in that timeline.

Still a lot of work to do though for Rob to save his job. Let’s see what dominos fall next.

 

Mitchell was paid $16 million per season. I'm fine with Kessler getting what he got tbh. Tough market for center talent and the Lakers got the best in this free agency.

But what moves can they make to get off of Ayton + Vando now?

 

Thats is a move i was not making. that is a high price to pay.

 

Thrilled we didn't go the offer sheet route cause we were going to get slaughtered there with the market leaving us behind.

I like the price. AAV of $32.5m is good and gives us some wiggle room that Duren wouldn't have. We need Kessler's defense (and a lot more).

BUT both first unprotected AND swaps. DAMN MAN! That's as expensive as it gets.

Rob now

 

Praying that means a third team is involved and taking some salary from us lol

Yeah this is definitely a very steep price and probably an overpay that a more shrewd GM could have found a way to get done in a more efficient transaction … but I really like Kessler and think as soon as this time next year after a season playing alongside Luka we’ll be looking back at this as a steal at least in terms of the AAV of the contract

 

That is a a ton for someone that played 5 games last season.

 

We gave up the picks but got him on a lower number. I get the sticker shock, but Kessler was 14 and 10 in his 5 games last year and 11 and 12 the year prior. I think it's reasonable to say he could be a 16 and 12 guy with Luka and Austin feeding him. Pair that with strong defense and that's easily a $30 million a year player.

 

i get that they need to make big moves like this, but that's such an overpay. good lord

 

You guys gotta take into account Lakers had to overpay a bit to keep Walker off the offer sheet. They knew Jazz wouldn't be able to match and they can't wait one week for Jazz to decide to. The pressure was on the Lakers. Either you offer low and give Jazz time to match or you overpay to bypass that offer sheet so you can now get the other pieces in free agency before they all get snagged up.

Getting walker one week later from today but missing out on other top free agents would've been a nightmare as well.

 

Well we got our guy. At least that part is done.

 

wow i cant believe we did that.

 

And while I agree that it was a bit of an overpay, I think the need to wrap this up forced our hand a bit.

 

Just saying something similar.

 

f*** Yeah Let’s Go come on Cookie Turn up!!!!

 

Walker Kessler to the Lakers done deal.

 

4 yrs. 134 million.