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

yeah,

1. we sort of have a lot of that.
2. it doesn't address defense at all.

and i get that that's not how the question most obviously reads ("play your game" definitely implies offense), but there are more considerations. not to beat a dead horse, but the best luka teams had a secondary playmaker of high quality, lob threats/shot blockers at center, and then a bunch of versatile perimeter defenders, all of whom while not being great shooters, could hit enough to keep defenses honest.

our current makeup has a couple really good shooters but absolutely nobody who can defend anyone (well, the two guys that can don't do anything offensively at all, so they can't be played against good teams). ok, maybe smart counts as two-way that fits the previous luka success mold, but he's older and can't be counted on for 70+ games, 30+ minutes. we need like, three of those guys. don't need to be stars, just your djj, pj washington types (defensive positional versatility, adequate if flawed offense).

i'm still pretty perplexed by the concept of running it back, even understanding the difficulties and being a person who values continuity.

 

Yeah. There are real things this team needs to address. I can't see running it back either. We have to add some pieces.

 

Alright, let's play the Wild Card of what would be nice this summer:

Marvin Bagley III
KCP
Lu Dort
Ayo Dosunmu
Tari Eason
Keon Ellis
Tobias Harris
Walker Kessler
Kevin Love
De'Anthony Melton
Larry Nance Jr.
Jusuf Nurkić
Kristaps Porziņģis
Collin Sexton
Day'Ron Sharpe
Gary Trent Jr.
Peyton Watson
Andrew Wiggins
Robert Williams III

So, if people were signed to the right deals AND we didn't re-sign everyone, honestly I would think 2-3 (MAYBE 4 to 5 if people want some VET MINs) could be had from this list. Some might be better than others, but like........

That might not be a bad list to consider. I also expect MOST, if not all, of these guys to just re-up with whoever they are with currently, but like.....MAYBE something crazy happens?

I think Reaves and LeBron deserve whatever they ask, but like.....I hope they will consider a slight cut just to help make some of this easier. We may never get a summer with cap like this FOR A WHILE........so some help would be nice.

 

I expect a surprising name or two to be bought out.

Also seems to be a lot of smoke around the restricted guys. We will see.

 

I mean, would it even be a TRUE OFF-SEASON if it wasn't "'X' is going to sign with the Lakers this summer"?

 

I would take names like Sharpe, Love and Nurkic out of there. They don't seem to fit the center archetype the Lakers are looking for.

 

I wasn't aware Wiggins has a player option. If Lebron leaves that's a no brainer to give him a longer contract for less money so that he opts out and signs here.

 

Couldn't Nurkic be a good off the bench Center though for the B-Squad? I feel like the times I have seen him play, he's chippy enough to be good and helpful, but again....I would expect him to resign with the Jazz at this rate. I think they like him enough.

Love would also be an off the bench guy, but a PF...not a center. I feel like Love has the Pau and Davis thing where "sure" you could play him at Center, but like.....how about we don't and say we did?

 

game 7 of the 2010 finals was 16 years ago today

easily the most satisfying of the lakers 5 titles in the 2000s

 

And now McMahon is saying the Jazz might go Boozer at #2 because they think he's a great fit "next to JJJ". Maybe Kessler actually is available.

 

Funny because there has been a ton of boozer to Utah smoke for about a week

 

So I’m seeing a lot of stuff.

Here are the wild cards. Marvin Bagley Jr. makes a lot of sense. Came in the same draft with Luka. lol. That would make us have the number 1, 2, and 5. Picks of that draft. Marinate on that.

funny Bagley kind of fits the rolling center pick and roll but he has no defense. I’d take a chance. Also gotta get Robert Williams in here.

KCP seems like a slam dunk to come back. Doing nothing in Memphis playing next to Luka back in L.A. he looks like Finney Smith. I like the pick up. Solid.

and then Ellis on the cheap. So there are things we can do.

centered around the big 3 LeBron Reaves and Rui.

Wow the Warriors wow!!!!!! You made Lebron an offer that he might just have to leave the Lakers. Wait for it. Full MLE 15 million. Bravo Bravo Leo Bravo cause 15 million to have to go up North and play for the Warriors is going to work for him when we can offer 20 million right.


Sure some of this was leaked by Lebrons camp at Klutch for our negotiation. Since we’re in Negotiations with Lebron. Makes no sense for him to go to the Warriors.

He has it all here and at this point I think Lebrons focus is the career after Basketball and that’s here in L.A. and his best shot at competing is with Luka.

Also Kessler. He doesn’t like the 140 million offer and it’s some beef. Maybe a little of that beef is them bringing in Jaron Jackson Jr. so how’s he playing They got Markanen and they gotta bring Bailey along. he’s probably thinking I gotta showcase myself and I want more money. He probably wants more money. But it’s legit beef.

players Luka Reaves LeBron tamper make him make it real uncomfortable for Utah. And get Dannys a** to send him over here. I won’t believe it though to good to be true.

And Ballmer Steve Ballmer. I get it now. It was never about winning. It was about one man’s fondness for another man. Kawhi knows he’s got Ballmer by his balls no pun intended and that’s why he got him to ship Shai out so he could bring in Paul George. That’s why he got the under the table money payout from aspiration because Balmmer wants Kawhi with the Clippers. Steve Ballmer says no trade will involve Kawhi Leonard and wants to build around Kawhi Leonard.

There will be fireworks Clippers fans you don’t want to hear it. Laker fans get ready for the Golden Clips. lol. I think the Clippers are going to trade for Gianiss. And I think Gianiss is coming to the Clippers to play with Kawhi and Garland.

what does it look like??? Number 5 pick. Future pick. Probably Mathurian and Derick Jones. Milwaukee wants picks they want draft capital. They are probably thinking as far as Miami goes they aren’t great players they’re good. Herro Ware and Jacquez what’s that???


With 5 and another pick you can potentially get a player who can change your franchise. Maybe there’s a guy they really like that they can think. My thinking it’s Fleming who looks like a superstar to me and is flying up draft boards. We shall see. The draft is going to be next week. Should be fun. That’s all I got.

 

Marcus Spears basically just said LeBron and Kevin Love are done deals

 

Kevin Love where, here?

 

I'm cool with that..I don't know about Love, but I haven't heard a better option than Bron coming back yet, and until we find a replacement for LeBron, I don't think the Luka/Austin combination, scares anyone in the Western Conference TBH.

 

Yeah, Love at PF that should be fine. He provides shooting and rebounding. I mean for the minimum you cant have everthing. That's a good skillset combo that we don't really have - he's more well-rounded than Rui when you think about it, because he could rebound. Solid place-holder for Thiero when you think about it. Thiero might not be quite readt, but shiudl be reafy to step in when Lebron and/or Love retire. Could also play alongside 4's with shaky to horrible jumpers, like Vando, LaRavia, and Thiero. Decent signing, and nice full-circle moment for him. Youy know they get all feelings in the NBA. I could see folks complaining about his lack of lateral quickness though.

 

Love is as washed as Kleber. Good 3rd string 4/stretch 5 that brings experience. Can play spot minutes but is not part of the rotation nor relied upon on a regular basis

 

PG: LUKA 36, REAVES 12
SG: REAVES 23, X 25, BRONNY
SF: X 24, X 24, THIERO
PF: LEBRON 33, LOVE 15, VANDO, LARAVIA
C: X 18, X 18, HAYES 12

We have 5 holes (By order of importance):

• Starting Center (Rim-protector / Rebounder / Lob-catcher)
• Starting SF (3 & D POA specialist)
  
• 2nd unit center (Rim-protector / Rebounder / Lob-catcher)
• 2nd unit SF (3 & D POA specialist)
• 2nd unit SG (3 & D or playmaker with some shooting and D)

 

Yeah he'd basically just be the new Kleber. Won't be playing most of the time but could surprise you for a few regular season games if other guys are hurt.

This feels like a cost of doing business with LeBron this summer. You want me to commit to re-signing at a lower number early so you can pursue trades/signings? Fine, but you have to bring in my guy on a minimum. It's whatever, so long as we have at least 10 guys that can actually play ahead of him.