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

Lou Dort couldn’t throw a pea into the ocean these playoffs- I’m out on him.
Robinson and Williams are way too injury prone.

 

We aren’t getting Kessler.
Rob would get fleeced if we tried to trade with them since we are operating from a position of weakness.
Stewart, I like. Maybe just try and flip Ayton later in the season for a better big. Hayes is not what we need- he is an awful, awful defender.

 

That's recency bias. FWIW, Dort was 42/105 the previous four years playoffs, that's 40%. He had a bad playoffs this year, but his history doesn't suggest somebody that chokes in the playoffs.

 

Latest from Fischer

 

Lou Dort and Beef Stew on the same team would be crazy. I'm here for it though.

 

I don’t want to root for dirty players

 

Then dont look at it as being dirty but defensive and physical.

 

Dirty is dirty, and trying to injure opposing players because you can’t stop them playing them straight up is never ok. Shame on those who would excuse such antics.

That is deep in that man’s character. If he tried that stuff on the street in the wrong neighborhood, he’d get shot.

As far as I’m concerned, if he was banned from the league, the league is better off. If any of this can be said about any player, I don't want him on my team, and all time greatest franchise in the history of sports. Don't lower your standards out of desperation to compete at the highest level a little sooner than we have earned the right to.

Signing Lou Dort would be a very bad sign in my opinion that the integrity and history of our beloved franchise no longer matters and it's all about money. If that happens, it will be a sad day in Lakerland, but maybe a happy day for certain fans who do not carry the same ethical standards.

I don't mean that as a personal attack brother, but I don't understand wanting a guy like that on your team if you have ever competed in athletics. Play hard. Play fair. But don't try to injury guys. That's beyond unacceptable.

 

We finally got a reliable 3 point shooter that doesn't melt in the spot light in Kennard

Do we really want to trade him?

@abeer3 added you to get your feedback

 

Stewart is only 6' 8"

How is he going to hold up if hes going up against taller players?

Does he have the arm span and jumping ability to make up for it?

Is he a fierce rebounder?

Don't know much about him

 

Stewart is built like the strongest security guard you've seen. He's likely one of the strongest dudes in the league.

He's not huge but he plays big because he is so bulky. He can handle bigger centers because of his strength and will bully smaller ones (in height and frame). He's a good rebounder and rim protector. Can shoot too

He's not technical nor a genius but in a specific role like he would have here, he would do well.
Ideal backup big to give options in the playoffs when you need a stretch 5.

He lacks talent to be a starter level center in a contender, similar to Gafford. Like Gaf, he would be a good addition to the core rotation and increase the physicality of our group. If one of them come, they probably get the starting nod but will more a stopgap solution

 

pika got to some of it. he also plays bigger than his height due to the long arms, so his standing reach is pretty close to say, daniel gafford's. obviously nothing close to the verticality on either end, though.

i didn't expand much in the earlier post, but while i like him, i don't see how he fits as a starting center. he was played off the floor in the playoffs this year, but there was word that he was dealing with an injury.

but if it's him and hayes as your center rotation...eh. he's better than ayton simply because you don't have to wonder if he's going to show up mentally night in and night out.

would really depend on the price. if you're switching him for vando, essentially, that makes sense to me.

i'm less excited about it than i was when AD was here and i was hoping we'd try to be a big, tough, defensive team. my initial positive reaction is mostly just about the fact that smart's toughness really seemed to impact the team, and having one more guy like that might be useful, generally speaking.

 

Collins is interesting. I think we are doing our due diligence with all options which is good.

I’m honestly positive on our chances of upgrading this summer. Pressure is on for Rob and any other front office holdovers who want to stay in the new regime. I expect them to respond accordingly and get some stuff done.

 

i know it's not happening, but if the clippers really took a big swing and changed up their roster, collins, dunn, and djj all look really good here.

 

I believe I’m one of the few posters who wanted to go over the cap and retain both Kennard and Rui. I think we’ve got the beginnings of a really solid bench between Kennard, Smart and Rui. If we could add Thybulle/Spencer Jones and Isaiah Stewart to that, it would be a phenomenal bench in my opinion.

I was suggesting we trade Kennard because Detroit wants shooting. But if we can do it for Vando and Knecht, even better, sign me up.

As for Stewart, he plays defense like a poor man’s Ben Wallace, aggressive, tough, high motor interior defense. You’re going to have to work to score on him and he’ll challenge everything and block shots too. He is on the smaller side height wise but has bulk and wingspan. As a backup center he is as valuable as Mitchell Robinson to me. Offensively, he spaces the floor with decent 3pt shooting. Not the best rebounder but he does box out.

I won’t keep harping on about it but I do believe a Claxton and Stewart center combo is elite. It would cost this year’s #26, a future first and probably Vando, Ayton, Knecht and Jake.

Could leave us 1 pick, the MLE and a roster of:

Luka / Kennard / Bronny
Reaves / Smart
x / x / Adou
Lebron / Rui / x
Claxton / Stewart / Hayes

 

I like that Stewart’s Jamaican lots of Jamaican restaurants in L.A. juicy’s on Washington.

Stewart is what we need passion grit toughness. He’s a Charles Oakley. Jordan needed that. He’ll protect Luka and work his a** off.

He’s undersized but so was Ben Wallace. He can’t be the answer to your center. But part of a piece. Stewart and Williams Stewart and Robinson. Keep Ayton as some insurance.


I’d love to have Ayton as my starter and have Stewart and Hayes. I think with Ayton you gotta have the Center you can throw the ball down to in the post and score with. And who can make free throws. Ayton is still a skilled big. I point to the Houston series. You want to have that big that makes the other big work.

I think Ayton gives you alot. Those bigs don’t grow on trees. Towns had a horrible Indiana series and then bounced back the next season. I just think adding around Ayton with a Stewart and a Robinson or Williams will still give us variety.

Because those bigs don’t score a lot consistently but they have energy and you need that balance. Remember we got the scoring out of Luka and Reaves and Lebron. We don’t need much scoring out of Ayton just enough in stretches.

Stewart is the perfect guy to light a fire under Aytons a**.


We can still satisfy the Luka archetype with Williams or Robinson. Ainge is going to want a lot for Kessler.

How about Wendell Carter??? Is he available?? But all good. I’m just not pushing Ayton to the curb.

Here are some facts on Ayton 27 Luka’s age. 7,0” skilled. Serviceable Center. Can give you 20-10. Lazy takes plays off. Plays with Fire can’t be stopped on a court. Damn Phil Jackson would’ve been the perfect coach for Ayton. He’s a bit of a p**** cat.


Dort would be perfect for Luka and Reaves. Perimeter defenders who are protecting these guys. Who can hit an outside shot. Hey if Vando could make a shot he’d be the guy but he can’t. Maybe see if Vando can play. This pickup would be huge Dort. And I hope we get him. Championship changing type of play.


We can’t be OKC but we can become a more balanced team as they are.

Luka
Reaves
Dort
Lebron/Hachimura
Ayton/Stewart

not bad. Williams Robinson to balance it out and Ellis. This gives a OKC light team. And it’s up to Reddick to coach them up.


Luka/Bronny /Kennard
Reaves/Ellis
Dort/Smart/Thiero
Lebron/Hachimura
Ayton/Stewart/Williams

We get tougher we get defense. We get deeper

 

Utah can actually have some use for Vando and Knecht if they draft Boozer, even Ayton!
Vando can be an interesting fit with JJJ and Knecht will be on a prove it contract. He has the whole year to fight for a guaranteed contract. Ayton is also a possible fit with JJJ.

Wouldn't mind sending a 1st or couple swaps to Utah for Kessler. They may lose him for nothing next year.


I think Turner ends up in Boston. I like the fit there