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

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

  1. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Rookie -

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    I get when you get traded getting traded from the mavericks.


    But this is L.A. this is the Lakers. Luka was ecstatic to be here.

    there’s only one team in the NBA the L.A. Lakers

    Magic Kobe Luka that’s what it is. Those are the eras.

    going back to Jerry and Baylor.

    there’s being an NBA player then there’s being a Laker. Lukas a Laker in L.A. that’s bigger then anything in the NBA Shai Gianiss Ant Man Wemby thats just the way it is.


    Luka will be fine. Some of yall are young in here. When Shaq was here 1996-2004 he ran L.A. facts.

    so Luka Magic in L.A. will be carrying the NBA. Wait til yall see next year.

    NBA people forget how dominant and great Luka was. With the ball in his hands unguardable. Watch the bubble. Just watch some of his games. I remember playing against him we couldn’t do anything against him. 1-1 unstoppable. Just great player.

    Jordan level at times. You can have all the Cooper Flaggs you want but there’s only one Luka.!!!!!!
     
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  2. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Rookie -

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    They are expecting Vincent to step up. And earn his money. And a big improvement for Bronny he’s gonna be the young guy. We spent a second round pick on him. Bronny and Thiero are coming for defense. Two Klutch guys so they know each other.

    Based on the way Rob is moving that other guard will be signed either Brogdon Milton or Smart. Based on the way Rob is moving it’s probably smart. We have a pretty good relationship with Washington based on trades we made with them Westbrook and Hachimura. We’ll have word soon.


    But waiting on a buyout it’s probably Smart. As much as you know we need the POA they do to.

    Reaves will be helping with the point guard running off the bench.
     
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  3. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Marcus Smart is the perfect mentor for Bronny imo. Not ideal in terms of shooting, but so many positives.
     
  4. LakeShowAZ

    LakeShowAZ - Rookie -

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    This

    It's a privilege to be a Laker and be a part of this storied franchise

    Some players melt in the spotlight and some becomes stars

    Luka will shine for sure
     
  5. sk2408

    sk2408 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    This vast majority of second round picks never become real contributors on good teams. I have high hopes for Bronny and Thiero, but we can't be relying on them to fill any role next season. I keep thinking about how after his rookie year I wanted to pencil Max in as the every-day backup 2 guard in his second year, but he wasn't ready yet. Thiero hasn't even been cleared to play actual basketball yet.
     
  6. sk2408

    sk2408 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Agreed, trading AR shouldn't be some taboo conversation. The reality is that he's the best asset we have on a team that is good, but not great. He's what, a Top 50 player in the league? Top 40? It's hard to say. The Ringer does a rolling Top 100 players ranking (not saying it's a perfect ranking or anything, they're just the only ones I know of that do it and update it regularly) and they have Reaves at #54. Seems low, but the guys right around him are Gobert, Markkanen, Randle, Herro, Draymond...that feels about right? Could he get better? Yeah of course, he's improved every year so far. But he's 27 now, so they're probably isn't a ton of untapped potential. I think it's unlikely he'll ever be a Top 25 guy. Guys in his range get traded. Bane was just traded and I thought it made sense for both parties.

    It's a probably a moot point, though, because I don't think the FO is interested in trading him and I'm not sure the rest of the league values him all that highly. He needs a new contract and the league in general doesn't value scoring guards that aren't All-NBA caliber guys all that highly. Reaves is way better than Sexton, but Sexton got traded for nothing. Statistically, Reaves was pretty similar to Powell last year and Powell just got traded for an expiring John Collins (Powell is of course older). There's been a sentiment that we should only trade Reaves for Top 25ish guy (and even that isn't picky enough for some, who only want to trade him for Jokic or Giannis), but I don't think any other team in the league views him as the centerpiece in a trade for an All-NBA caliber player. So that all means he's probably sticking around for a while, which is totally fine.
     
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  7. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    The truth is, some folks let their personal feelings about past trade ideas like mentioning AR in a deal completly cloud their judgement in what should bee a rational basketball conversation. That kind of emotional attachment can really mess up a message board. Once a player becomes sacred, any discussion that does not fit the fan club narrative gets treated liek blasphemy. Suddenly, you are not just talking hoops, you are on trial for treason. And lets be real, that one dude keeps shifting the topic anytime things get uncomfortable. Its like every time someone questions the roster, he reaches for his emotional safety blanket and changes the subject. I have said it before, I like Reaves. I really do. But acting like he is off limits and that trade talk is forbiddden turns regular basketball talk into group therapy. We all want to improve. Let's not treat every option like its a loyalty test.
     
  8. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    No the point was there were a LOT of trades brought up that were nowhere close to being worth doing considering the value he has to this team and I’m still here for them. So is the FO. ;) And yes he does need to keep improving and have a great year.
     
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  9. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Funny thing is, nobody was even talking about trading Reaves in this convo. You just saw that bat signal and ran in swinging. :Laugh:
     
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  10. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers Starter -

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    Really good and reasonable assessment on the AR topic. Agree completely
     
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  11. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    yeah, I can remember reaves for herb jones and such.

    people reacted because they were trades that made us worse.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
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  12. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Yup saw it waay too many times “for lack of realization of what he brings to this team” including the circle around the campfire this summer that while “fun” I told y’all he’d be here to lace them up. LeBron likes him, Luka likes him, FO likes him and Jeanie likes him …. so unless it really is a GREAT trade becomes available he’s going nowhere.
     
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  13. TIME

    TIME Administrator Staff Member

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    Good take. AR is hard to quantify. He is one of eight players in the NBA to register 20 / 5 / 5 last season if I remember correctly. He did that as a third option. Someone recently posted the stats on the games he was the second option and they ballooned up. Then for the only two games he was the first option he averaged 40. But, we also have his subpar performance in the Wolves series to consider.

    Then there is the chemistry factor. He connects really well with his teammates. There is value in that too.

    Then the salary issue. Up until now, there was no way to match his value in a trade because of his low salary. Trade value will shift once he signs his new contract which will be significantly higher.

    I like AR and hope he is a Laker for life, but if an opportunity to acquire a younger, more athletic 3&D player who fits better next to Luka presents itself, I would not hesitate to pull the trigger.
     
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  14. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    I respect all the AR love but this convo wasn't even about trading him. We were talking about finding a guard to put next to Luka and Reaves to help with point-of-attack defense.Not a "praise AR" group meeting. Just trying to solve a real lineup need.
     
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  15. sk2408

    sk2408 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    So the Beal thing is done now but still no other free agent signings. I think the Warriors are waiting for a decision from Horford, who may just decide to retire. He's been on the east coast since college aside from that one weird stopgap year in OKC, if I were him I don't know that I'd want to head out to a new team on the west coast in my age 39 season. The Warriors have slightly more of their BAE available than we do I think. Maybe they've told Horford the rest of that BAE is his if he decides to play. If he decides to retire, that goes to Melton instead. Melton would rather take slightly more money from the Warriors than he would from us and is willing to wait it out.
     
  16. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Reading back your comment read like no one on the roster was even “average” at “perimeter” defense. Which is waay more than POA centric. You weren’t clear. Then you put it back into context you were talking about just the starting lineup. But still had used the words “perimeter defense” in the original. And that STILL isn’t accurate PLUS threw in the comment we had NO rim protection. Which isn’t true now either since we have a will do anything asked of him Deandre Ayton to finally get to play with his good friend Luka and hopefully stay a Laker doing that, while earning himself an acceptable next contract. In shape …. make that IMO will be the best shape and most motivated of his career just entering his PRIME years. I came in too hard and apologized honestly offering to do better (though haven’t heard from Slick yet. ;)). And then jokingly admitted part of the reason was you having tortured me with all the NOT great AR trade ideas. Since then it’s fair game for you on me now “personally” as wrecker of discussion on this or any forum …. security blankets and all. So that’s how we got back on Reaves. All the while with your not mind readable intent to have meant strictly POA …. we have no one even “average” when that’s clearly (switching BS to simply not true too) with multiple players on the roster we have NOW and the ability of a smart coaching staff to use them in smart lineups and rotations. Plus 2 more days until Shake gets traded or waived to open a roster spot for likely one of those very types the FO is looking at too, along with ALL the other trade assets still available.
     
  17. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Every signing out there ties us to "lose out on this and lose out on that" convos. Not to mention noted we "underwhelmed" with our own. Slightly annoying... Really hope the squad gels, achieve health and slap around these teams that supposedly improved markedly ahead of us.
     
  18. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Damn, that really felt like 37 points in one paragraph all tied up with a little bow at the end. Not trying to rehash old debates. I just said we could use someone who can stay in front of quick guards. Was not expecting it to spiral into a full on AR summit or roster dissertation. Appreciate the passion though. We all want the team to get better.
     
  19. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Yes we do and now YOU can knock off the personal stuff.
     
  20. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    All good man. I'm just here to talk hoops like everyone else. Let's keep it to basketball.
     
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