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

At this point, Robinson is my favorite non-draft Big target for us in the summer. He's got health issues, so we'd need to keep Hayes and Ayton and do Center by Committee, but unless OKC randomly decide to let Hartenstein go for whatever reason, we're not getting a better Big than Mitch imo. He's enough of a lob threat to work offensively next to Luka, is a great rim protector and is probably second only to Steven Adams in terms of getting offensive rebounds. Those are all huge qualities for us to be aggressive in pursuing this summer.

 

You hold onto DK and hope he grows a brain.

 

Yeah Rob is a good get. I imagine he will have suitors on the teams with the big MLE but hopefully we can sell our project.
His health is a concern and your idea of keeping DA and Hayes makes sense from a personnel perspective, although I think DA might check out mentally if he's a yo-yo between starting and DNPs depending on Mitch's health, as I'm guessing Hayes would always keep his backup job

Mitch is a good player for OKC, Spurs and Denver matchup so it's an interesting name to keep an eye this summer

 

i'm still a no. i want that future first for something else. no way i'm trading two firsts for missi.

 

Yeah, Robinson is a beast. If we are unable to get a big at draft time, maybe that's the play for us? But he likes costs 15-18 million, so likely wouldn't be able to get a Keon Ellis in that case. But rookie bigs translate faster the NBA than other positions, so maybe better to draft a big than a guard or forward. I like Bidenga, and I am coming around on Krievas. It's just with Krievas you don't get the lobs, and wity Hayes you sont get the rim protection, so each player us incomplete. Would rather have at least one player that could do both. Luka has the special skill of lob passing and getting and not having a player like that I feel liek you are wasting an opportunity. Bidunga just comitted to Louisville thoigh.

 

What a weird deal … errr no deal that was with Mark Williams. No brokee yet season and a third (hypothetically) we would have had him.

 

True, which is why I still personally want us to also draft a Center this year too, so that we can potentially move off of DA or let him opt out of his player option and have a young Big prospect to be able to develop as part of the rotation next to Mitch and Hayes.

As you noted, Bidunga is staying in college for another year, so we're not drafting him this summer, I think. As for Krivas, lobs aren't the main part of his offensive game, but it is something he's apparently been working on a bit BTS (I'll need to find the Arizona article I saw a few weeks back that mentioned this) and I'd imagine something he could get the hang of enough playing next to Luka for a whole season.

 

Yeah that can be an approach. But drafting a big + adding 15-18M of Robinson's contract doesn't leave much space to get wings, assuming we keep Smart and Kennard. Likely we can only get 1 wing after that, and that includes Bron coming back.

With the options available I think I rather go all-in on getting 2 or 3 wings with our cap space and picks. Leave the center position as is or maybe trade Ayton or Vando for one.
I think we will need a strong center to maximize Luka's window but I don't think there's one available this summer. Hence, prioritizing wings as we need an upgrade there + replace Bron and Rui that I'm ready to let go.
I'm looking at Ware, Sarr, Duren or Allen. Duren might not be available but the others may as soon as the deadline. And this year we get a combination of Watson/Ellis/Eason/Dort/Herb that guarantee the wings for the next 3-5 years, together with Luka and AR.

We need that continuity that the best teams have like Denver, OKC and Boston have with their top4 guys. Spurs have built theirs too

Hence why I'm less inclined to spend much on a stop gap center.
Draftibg one may work, young centers are certainly trendy, but historically it's a hit or miss position. Some great college centers got quickly unplayable in NBA. It's a big risk.

 

Yeah, it might come down to like Robinson vs Ellis, for example. Robinson protects the rim and catches lobs, but Ellis prevents players from getting to the rim, and shoots threes. Also, Ellis is good insurance if Smart gets hurt. Depends on how Lakers feel on Robinson vs Ellis, and what we do in the draft. Hopefully Ayton/Hayes/Krivas at the 5 would be enough. Thiero provides an excellent lob-threat off the bench, to go along with Hayes if Hayes is not starting.

 

Robinson, Dort, or Ellis are in the price range that allows you to sign Lebron to a respectable contract of 20-25 million and Smart for 10-12 million. More expensive options like Anunoby, Bridges, Allen, Kessler, Claxton, etc. complicate this plan. Robinson or Ellis are in that sweet spot for us financially for possibly that 5th starter spot.

 

OR ..... as almost ALWAYS happens ..... a complete surprise out of left field from Rob. Plus has the council of this guy this year:

 

Yeah that would be great information. If Krivas is on the board, and is the best rim protector available, that may be the best bet. Also, his screen setting is really useful for Luka and Reaves. That kid is huge. If Carr is on the board, you definitely have to take him. Also still look into moving up, although many have said OKC won't help us. Mara is the best possible option, and I would trade up for him of we could.

 

Yeah, Bennett is going to want to make a big splash for his first draft to take us from rags to riches.

 

I would think the new ownership would get this. The Dodgers farm system has always been top notch and while they do get a lot of their players from other teams, they develop a fair amount of them as well.

 

Yeah this is something that should be acknowledged. LeBron isn't signing for the vet min or even the MLE. I think Austin has improved and LeBron has declined such that they're roughly the same caliber of player now, so you're not getting LeBron for MLE money or less while Austin is getting a deal starting at $35 million APY. I think something around $20-25 million reflects some additional decline for next season, but acknowledges how good a player he still us. If you go below that, I think you start to risk the farewell tour in Cleveland or the Expendables movie scenario in Golden State. I also don't see any way we become a legitimate contender next season without LeBron around. If he's gone, there's just no way to get even close to making up the talent gap with our resources.

 

Just block him.

 

Naw blocking's for wussies.

 

One of your most ridiculous statements. He will not play if he is hurt still, he is NOT going to risk his future for this year.

 

Ugonna Onyeso is a 6-11 big who had 5.7 blocks and grabbed 9.5 rebounds per 36 minutes this past season. I think this guy might be end up being our pick. He protects the rim and throws down lob-dunks. He's a shot-blocking machine.