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

Yeah, I would go ahead and see if he would take around 4 years/ 70 million. This deal would start at around 15.5 million and go up with 8% raises. But, maybe they land on 4 years/ 76 million, with a first year salary of around 16.9 million. On a team with Lebron James on it, Rui is relegated to 6th man. On a team without Lebron, Rui could start at the 4, if there are sufficient defensive pieces around him. The uncertainty regarding Lebron might have some sort of impact on this decision as well. But if the Lakers could lock him into that 70 million extension, I would say go ahead and sign him now. That's slightly more than MLE, so good value for a 6th man, or eventually going to that PJ Washington role at starting 4. Then there is the team roster uncertainly in terms of the salary cap projected for next season. If we trade Gabe/Kleba/31 1st for that 3 and D POA that we need, and Lebron and Reaves are both back at their max, it would put us 10-20 million or so over the 2nd apron. It would just be too much salary. So Lakers just need to be careful with what they do. I could see how that uncertainty could impact their decision on signing Rui to an extension this season, when there is a chance they might just have to let him walk, unlikely though. It still might be best to see if you could get some good value for Rui in the form of a trade.

 

Since there are not many 3 and D options out there, I would be willing to risk trading the 2031 1st for a player that is a little older than Luka's time line. But, the player needs to be the perfect fit. Derek White fits that criteria. He is in his age 31 season. But in terms of combination of shooting and defense, you would be hard pressed to find a better player. If Lakers are going all in, I suggest the following:

Lakers get: White + Tillman

C Bags get: Hachimura + Vincent + 2031 1st (unprotected) + 2032 2nd + 2028 swap + 2030 swap + 2032 swap.

 

This is an interesting idea. Normally I would say C Bags wouldn't be interested but if they expect Tatum to take a minimum a year to get back to full strength. White age may not fit their timeline anymore.

 

Yeah, I think Lakers' goal is to low-key get the best two-way POA defender possible without giving up Reaves. I think, they have everything else on the table, except for the obvious untouchable players. This includes the 2031 1st (unprotected).

 

He should be. It’s so weird feels like he just finished Euro league Basketball. I’d give him a full week off.

damn did he just play non stop basketball this summer after the season ended?

 

No, he didn't touch a ball for a month or more while he was working on his body and dropping the weight.

 

i'd give up a ton for white, but the timing would have to be like, now. i think he's going to decline soon.

i also just don't see the C Bags letting us have him. our best hope would be boston offloading him and us grabbing him in the aftermath a la them getting holiday from the bucks via portland.

 

Lakers Basketball.

 

Rui is above that pay bracket but below the 30m mark that players seem to be signing for that are starters. Don’t let the dollar amounts fool you though, it’s the percentage of the cap that’s important. Max players are 25-35% depending on age (usually 30-35%). The MLE is about 9%. Good starters are about 15-20%.

That gives us a range of 15-25 million next year. Rui earns 18m now, he isn’t going to sign for less when he is still improving. I expect him to sign for about 15% of cap and Reaves for 20%.

Just keep in mind that the 2nd apron, is 135% of the cap so that’s the figure we’re trying to build to.

Our makeup would be something like (assuming Lebron resigns):

Luka: 30% - 50m
Lebron: 30% - 50m
Reaves: 20% - 32m
Rui: 13% - 22m
POA: 9% - 16m
Ayton: 9% - 16m
7th man: 9% - 15m
Vando: 7% - 12m
Backup big: 5% - 9m

Minimums

You could pick up two MLE players, as an example one good 3&D guard like Ellis and one good wing like DJJ and then a backup big that’s a bit older like a Brook Lopez or Horford.

 

22M seems a little high for Rui. I'm sorry, but I don't think he is an NBA starter on a championship team. Not, with this team anyway. Also, I feel like Reaves could get max offers of 42 million, but might take less money to stay with us, but I think it might be closer to like 36-37 million.

 

Reaves looked good. Scoring at ease. We can stop talking contract. It’s clear he will sign for a lot and it will be here. He looks more aggressive.

I easily see 22 points a game being averaged. 5 rebounds 5 assists.

when Luka plays he’ll be a good compliment to Luka.

we’re gonna really rely on our perimeter defender guys. Thiero Smart Vando Rui.

because we’re gonna need our two main guys playing huge minutes on offense getting us offensive points and usuage. Luka and Reaves. They are going to be a huge part of our offense driving and pick and roll.

they don’t play a lick of defense. LeBrons minutes will take a huge stepppppp back because of his usage and keeping him fresh for the playoffs. We have a goal. And that hinges on Lebron. I think Reaves can play 35 minutes a night.

Ayton I’m looking at a Dwight Howard role control the paint be the lob threat. I like I saw 8 rebounds. We need to board. Didn’t see much offense. But I don’t factor any of his points until I See him scoring with Lebron and Luka.

 

I have Reaves penciled in at 42 million, which is his max (25% of the cap). It would be nice if he would take less, but Lakers probably should plan around him requiring the max. Also, do you think Lebron will be back at his max?

 

No on AR at 42 won’t take that much it was one practice game and still has the entire season and playoffs to prove he gets the 32-34 home town discount to remain a Laker. LeBron at 50 …. No.

 

if lebron re-signs at 50, several other things become impossible, right?

like, ayton can't be signed at 16 without cap space, no 7th man can be signed at 15 because we might not have access to the full mle, etc.

i don't have time to do the math right now, but the cap is projected at 166, first apron 211, second 223.

rui's cap hold is probably irrelevant (as we'll either sign him below that or he'll walk), austin's is like 25? vando and laravia combine to 18.

so, if lebron is in at 50, you're already down to 23 million in cap space without re-signing rui or ayton.

anyway, long way of saying the only path to your numbers is via trades with our current expirings, right? and even then, the ayton slot can't happen.

 

I don't have the info in front of me right now, but if we max out Bron at basically 50, and AR at 42, and extend Rui starting at around 16, and DA 18, we come in like a hair under the 2nd apron, but u think that was only with 12 roster spots or so, including our 2026 1st. So idk what the plan is bit it's interesting we were willing to take on Wiggins 30 mil next season supposedly.

 

Absolutely no way I'm giving Reaves $42 million.

 

yeah, lebron at 50 million is unsustainable, and i'm guessing he realized that this summer when we didn't offer the player option.

i don't think he's getting that. my bet would be closer to 32 than 42, but we'll see. maybe something that averages 40 over 4 years.

 

Idk man, he might cost that much. If he does, then that would likely mean he had a great season, and maybe so did the team. That's not a bad thing. If anything, I think we should plan as if he does cost that much, and same with Lebron. If they cost less, then great, we have more money to play with. That's how I usually look at things.

 

The only sure thing is that Austin is resigning here. He will be back and will get a huge contract.

so the main guys Luka and Reaves are locked up.

Reaves just look like the scoring is coming easy to him. He’ll be a borderline all star this season.

 

I know just one game, but it reminded me how Rui sort of "tries to do too much" on offense sometimes. Here is a comparison for you:

Rui only 43% of attempts from three, but 27% from 0-3 feet, and 18% from 3-10 feet. Also, his defense is not good.

Royse ONeill about 77% of his attempts are from three, and he is a good defender.

I think if we can't get that ideal poa shooter guy, then try to at least turn Rui into a more decisive catch and shooting defensive player.