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

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

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  1. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

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    very interesting which is completely different than media is showing

    Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić are among the stars who defend against other stars the least.
    Curry, James, and Dončić rarely take on opposing stars on defense.
    Sportradar released a chart showing how often star players guard other stars. Here, “star” refers to the top 30 scorers of the current season.
    Since defensive matchups often depend on size, the y-axis shows time spent guarding big men, while the x-axis shows time spent guarding other stars.
    Players who guard star opponents the least—and also don’t often defend big men—include: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Norman Powell, Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell, Deni Avdija, Michael Porter Jr., Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, and Kevin Durant (highlighted in purple on the chart).
    Those who most often defend big men are: Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam, Julius Randle, and Jalen Johnson (blue dashed).
    And players who defend stars the most include: Franz Wagner, Lauri Markkanen, Keon Johnson, Jalen Brown, Zion Williamson, James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, (surprise and Austin Reaves.)
     
    KuzmoBall17, Jan 15, 2026 at 1:34 PM
    #7501
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  2. LakeShowAZ

    LakeShowAZ - Lakers 6th Man -

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    NBA trade deadline 2026: One player to watch on all 30 teams

    Los Angeles Lakers

    https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47600410/nba-trade-deadline-2026-morant-kuminga-sabonis-all-30-teams-player-watch#lal
     
    LakeShowAZ, Jan 15, 2026 at 2:26 PM
    #7502
  3. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    The graph is interesting, but it is hardly a groundbreaking analysis. “Stars who guard bigs” are mostly bigs themselves.

    “Stars who do not guard stars” tend to be high usage offensive players who need to conserve energy (Luka), or some combination of smaller, slower, or older players, which naturally places them in that category (Steph/Bron). This is how you "hide" them.

    “Stars who guard stars” are usually strong defenders who can still carry an offensive load, players who manage their minutes carefully, or, in some cases, players who struggle defensively and therefore... are not really asked to (or capable of) guard(ing) anyone in particular.

    Austin ends up in this group almost by default, since Luka is our primary offensive weapon and typically guards mid sized players, while LeBron is older. Someone has to take on the perimeter star, and that responsibility simply falls to Austin. It is the same reason Harden often shows up in this category, and yes, that comparison stings a bit. But you can't hide everyone and AR gets the worst assignment and gets carved up by small, mobile players.
     
    karacha, Jan 15, 2026 at 2:52 PM
    #7503
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  4. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    Glad we're responsible for breaking the Grizzlies. Again.



     
    JSM, Jan 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM
    #7504
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  5. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Not even sure what this really means, of course his camp would like it, but the Pelicans are the ones who would have to have interest.

     
    Weezy, Jan 15, 2026 at 4:14 PM
    #7505
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  6. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    Odd indeed. That only matters if A) he's a FA. B) He has the ability to demand a trade and force his way somewhere.

    He's neither
     
    JSM, Jan 15, 2026 at 4:17 PM
    #7506
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  7. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    The Kings have to make a move! They've won 3 in a row since Lavine came back (beaten the Lakers, Knicks, and Rockets so it's real lol). I know the lottery odds have been flattened but they will lose spots at this rate.
     
    Pioneer10, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:17 PM
    #7507
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  8. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    very kangz to discover a (semi) winning formula 40 games in.
     
    abeer3, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:22 PM
    #7508
  9. showtime24

    showtime24 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Smells like a smoke screen.
     
    showtime24, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:42 PM
    #7509
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  10. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    JSM, Jan 15, 2026 at 5:51 PM
    #7510
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  11. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    The Dodgers just got Kyle Tucker so I’m excited.
     
    Kobeluka99, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:33 PM
    #7511
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  12. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    What is everybody’s thoughts on this point shaving thing? It’s disgusting. Pieces of s***s. All those guys who participated should be permanently banned from any NBA or professional sports.

    Watch ABC world news tonight they actually show the players shaving points it’s obvious.
     
    Kobeluka99, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:35 PM
    #7512
  13. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    I mentioned GG on here weeks ago for us to acquire him.
     
    Kobeluka99, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:35 PM
    #7513
  14. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Whether it’s GG Jackson or Jonathan Kaminga you have to get a young athletic wing two in that mold. Because the league is to young.

    look at what the hornets did to us tonight. Brandon Miller young Miles Bridges young Lamelo Ball young Kon Knepel young.

    they’re all young Teams we play OKC San Antonio Houston Minnesota Phoenix Denver

    so we have to acquire it. Who’s the only other teams old that we can play with Clippers Warriors???????? I’m just saying.
     
    Kobeluka99, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:39 PM
    #7514
  15. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    I will give Slick credit. It would make sense to get a Nikola Vucevic and yeah maybe package him with a Dalen Terry.
     
    Kobeluka99, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:44 PM
    #7515
  16. Mone 24

    Mone 24 - Rookie -

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    The season is over, there's no point in deluding ourselves that a few trades can fix it.

    In fact, to do something decent now (and by decent I mean decent, not sensational) you have to add more than the expiring players and give away some picks now seems like a huge load of b******* to me: I'd leave it to future management to rebuild this roster decently, without taking away any more assets.

    I hate to say it, but what we need to do here is acknowledge how dysfunctional this roster is for the 2026 NBA and go into tank mode, getting rid of LeBron and the whole Klutch bandwagon, which is also pretty boring.

    We've reached the point where even with 40 points from Luka we can't win against the Hornets. What are we talking about?
     
    Mone 24, Jan 16, 2026 at 12:00 AM
    #7516
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  17. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    i'm f***ing done with pelinka

    worst supporting cast in the league year after year. it's just embarrassing

    luka's going to be run into the ground just like lebron was because of pelinka's inability to put together a competent bench

    no trade is saving this team
     
    432J, Jan 16, 2026 at 12:03 AM
    #7517
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  18. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Need to give him Timme’s 2-way contract

     
    Weezy, Jan 16, 2026 at 3:17 AM
    #7518
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  19. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    given how far off we are, this may be the only deadline move i endorse.
     
    abeer3, Jan 16, 2026 at 4:07 AM
    #7519
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  20. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Walter should just focus on putting a group together to take things over once the season is over and a multi year strategy to build up the roster.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Jan 16, 2026 at 4:46 AM
    #7520
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