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

A bruising lob-threat would be ideal, but maybe kind of a unicorn. Is that what Gafford qualifies as? If not, the Luka 23-24 Mavs didn't have any bruisers.

 

Yeah Gafford is a mad man. He strikes me as someone capable of killing someone lol I remember a play in that run with Luka where he goes to the ground in a tough fall and he celebrates the and-1 in a way that frighten me

Paul Reed is still a guy I would love to take a look at. Another team where he ends up 3rd string but he always plays well when getting the minutes and already outplayed Stewart a couple times these playoffs.
I think he would be available at the vet min as the 3rd string center who can win the backup spot if Hayes drops.
He's a good lob threat, good rebounder, high energy and I noticed he bulked up since Philly.
I think he would conquer that backup role and honestly I see he as the ceiling to be the starter if all goes well. Type of gamble I want to do with the vet mins

 

That Dallas team had 3 lob threats at the 5: Gafford, Lively, and Powell. And also had lob threats at other positions in players like DJJ and PJ.

 

Yeah, Reed is a good defender too. Another rare player that could play differernt types of defenses.

 

I really don't know who lakers can realistically get. It's going to be interesting. But early indications has this team looking very similar next season unless LeBron leaves. Austin and Luka are sure to be back and Lakers are leaving it up to LeBron. Then if Ayton opt in and they resign Luke and Rui you're looking at just minor tweak.

 

https://www.essentiallysports.com/n...akers-suffer-humiliating-sweep-rui-hachimura/

 

i was thinking you might be able to pry him or bitadze away (though luka was beefing with him last we saw him, lol).

don't think wcj is the guy orlando moves on from, though.

i don't think gafford is a bruiser.

i think mitchell robinson is a bruising lob threat, sort of in the mold of younger deandre jordan. he's just injured so often...

 

If Lakers really want to follow the 23-24 Mavs model to appease Luka, then they get multiple lob-threats at the 5, not some combination of lob-threat and floor-bound bruiser.

 

i don't know that we're following that exact blueprint. luka asked for mark williams, and he's more like ayton than lively or gafford.

 

I think Rui might be a bigger priority for Luka over AR. Get it done for 16-18 million.

 

wolves will sign him to a big deal, imo. i think he was a pre-agency trade.

i suppose a starting salary around 30+ would put a little fear into the wolves, though, as they're about 30 under the second apron. and he's UFA.

how much would you be willing to pay him?

 

Williams is pretty vertical though. Gets 3 dunks per 36 minutes. He has a huge standing reach, so excellent catch radius. Hardly had to jump to dunk. He's much more of a verycal threat then and Ayton. But we backed out of the trade and we are not getting him. But I get why you would use him as an example, we targeted him. I also heard names like Claxton and Okongwu I think.

 

Okungwu. We targeted him and Atlanta declined.

I think Nic Claxton is the guy to get. That’s who Luka wants.

Lob threat.

Robert Williams I think Brook Lopez will come here on a 1 year deal.

I just don’t see a market for Ayton why would he opt out. I actually see him opting in.

LeBrons gonna round it down to the clock.

Reaves and Hachimura will be fairly quick deals.

I see the Lakers prioritizing flexibility.

Health is the most important thing. They won’t bend over backwards to make a trade.

Kelel Ware would be a lob threat target. Do the 2031 picks get it done. And a Dalton Knect package?

Gaffard can become available but at what price?

Does smart price himself out? I know they want him back.

I’m sure the Lakers will try to draft a lob threat also there are a couple in College.

Mitchell Robinson has to be a must for the Lakers to sign.

 

Damn Tony Hawk..we can't get everybody! Give me your 3 most wanted. Regardless of position.

 

i think you'd have to go over 25 to get him. i'd consider it. if we found a way to basically keep all the folks we liked this year and just add ayo, that would be great. would also weaken minny.

 

Ayo is basically Jrue Holiday and you're going to be getting him at his prime 26-30. Way worth it for $25 million. I think he'll go for more.

Would be tough to choose between him and Peyton if both are options.

Peyton's height makes him more versatile but I think Ayo is a better player overall.

 

peyton has the higher ceiling, but he's RFA, and i think denver will do anything to keep him away from us in any case.

ayo is a UFA, and minny would have to get really uncomfortable if we made a 25+ offer.

 

I like Ayo too. There are a few kids out here in reach, that I wouldn't mind picking up. This is going to be a fun offseason; plenty of musings, speculations, and occasionally dust ups on deck. Fun times