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

I think everyone just feels like Kessler was the top big man available and the guy Luka apparently wanted. I still wish we had kept Smart even at his age with his injuries but that’s over now.

I think it’s also clear we may not be done yet so I’ll save my full concerns for closer to start of the season.

As we are currently built, I think we will be good in the regular season but again struggle in the playoffs based on lack of defense unless we can bring in some help on that end.

 

Isaac isn’t a bad look. Just other guys ahead of him probably based on injury history and locker room fit IMO.

 

This is better but I’m kind of over this. Lol

 

Didn't he re-sign with the Magic on a 1 year deal after he was recently released by them?

 

Oh yeah. Looks like he did.

 

Cheaper, less hassle will play role. I can see Johnathan and Austin being like LeBron and Austin fighting for second option. I think we should listen to the warning signs

 

This

I feel there are more options and moves to be made

Have to give Rob more time before ripping him to shreds

 

LeBron James' free agency market: What six teams can offer him

Jump to an offer:
76ers | Cavs | Heat
Nuggets | Warriors | Wolves

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49301354/lebron-james-2026-free-agency-market-offers-contract-money-team

 

I saw a clip of McMenamin on ESPN. He was discussing how we only have one roster spot and often for the last roster spot a team might take their time or even leave it open and wait for some mid-season flexibility.

He said that is NOT the case for us, that we view this final roster spot as a critically important piece.

I don’t see any scenario where we go into the season with this roster as currently constructed.

 

I need to know one thing, why are we looking at data on people like they are set in stone? I feel like all summer, the theme has been "Well so and so has been this their whole career!" Now, I get that some things are hard wired, but like...do we really, as a fan base, not have trust in Luka and/or JJ to make some of these people better? That being involved in this new team and growing aspects wouldn't inspire some to Kobe level mentality?

I am not banking it will happen or that ALL WOULD embrace that, just I feel like everyone we have signed or talked about signing, so many people seem convinced to some degree that there can be no change or development. You can't predict the future, I know...but in that same vein, not everything that we have seen before, means that THAT is all there is to come. Things change. People change.

And I don't want this to sound like Red-Rose Glasses optimism. I still think there is a chance this blows up on us. If so, good bye Pelinka and hopefully the next crew can get us with the times and correct the mistakes of this summer, but we don't know that......

What am I missing other than having optimism? Am I missing other facts? Am I just not a data guy? Like, people are seeing things that I am not, and I am not sure what I am not seeing at this rate.

Additionally, if Kuminga isn't that good...then let's move to someone else and maybe save Vando and the SWAP for the Deadline. I am cool with that. If PJ is better, maybe it is worth it. So like, this isn't JUST Kuminga......

Also, also....how many stories have we all heard about someone switching teams, trade or signing, and gotten better than they were expected to, due to the change and staff and team as a whole? Do we not believe that is possible here?

 

There is some random rumors on you tube that Lakers are trying to get both Kuminga and Buddy Hield .Any truth to that ?

 

Not sure if there’s any sourced truth, but I’ve thought maybe we take on Hield with Kuminga if we’re dumping Vando in the process. We save a little on Hield (~$3M) and get a shooter that could benefit next to Luka.

 

Is that the horse teeth guy?

 

Dummy. Bet on himself and lost.

 

.... Yes

 

Great comment. I never understood people going like "oh he was a 12/5 guy, that sucks". Like, players play in different roles, with different teammates, coaches, team goals, etc. Then there's the internal growth from getting older, getting new vets, new life experiences, etc.
In this data-driven world we completely forget the human element and how people grow every day.
When you add to that playing with Luka who is known and a lot of examples of making guys better, a guy can hope. Gafford, PJ and DJJ were having Mamu/Kuminga/Sexton type careers. I'd say Grimes is better than all those guys before playing with Luka. Carr is Lively.