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

But this HAS to mean either Vando or LaRavia are likely being traded with Bronny and whoever to make the Kuminga Room, right? Or if not Kuminga....whoever is coming? I am hearing Peyton's name getting tossed around a smidge. I am not holding a lot of stock in that, but still.................

 

Great pickup IMO. Should be able to provide us with defense and solid shooting off the bench.

 

Cleveland is going to welcome him home.

 

doesn’t have to be Kuminga, but a player like that (someone who has shown ability to start at forward) is an A offseason, and not getting that is a C+ offseason.

Williams is definitely a guy I think could really pop here between Luka and reaves. Djj-ish upside.

 

I like Zaire Williams. Helps our bench and perimeter defense. I mentioned him as one of the young guys. Very good player to add. Young wing. Finish it off with Kaminga.

 

Kessler looks all buisness. Very very good pickup. It’s good to have a Center that’s going to make sure the paint is taken care of.

 

Had the same thought.

I think it means Vando will be out in some way or form. Although the 3/4 position are pretty much the same, we have now Mamu, Williams, Jake and Thiero that can all eat minutes at the 4. If you add Vando...
All of them except Mamu can play the 3 too, but I think we will want to add another wing and use Vando spot

Really like Williams pickup. In terms of value, he's my 2nd favorite after Grimes. I think both can have great seasons in our setup

 

Yeah, that would be ideal. Better to have Ziare, a minumum contract signing as the 9th or 10th man, instaad of relying on him to start.

 

I've been trying to do the math, and I still don't really see a realistic pathway for Kuminga to get a better deal than we can offer.

If we do a sign-and-trade where we start Kuminga's salary at around $16-17M, we can maintain some first apron tax flexibility this season and pretty much still have full access to the MLE next summer. This would require us doing a sign-and-trade where we sent out either just Vanderbilt, or a package where we sent out some combination of Hardy, LaRavia, Knecht.

For Cleveland to match that and still have the room under the first apron to re-sign Harden to the number they've rumored to agree on (around $28-30M AAV), they would have to do a sign-and trade that either sent out Jarrett Allen, or some combination of Strus, Schröder, Merrill. Those are all real rotation pieces though, not end of bench salary dumps. I don't really see why Cleveland would be so high on Kuminga that they'd want to do that.

Our offer at that $16-17M range would outbid any remaining MLE teams (there aren't too many) and I think we still provide a better opportunity and fit than any of the other teams that could realistically sign-and-trade for that range (maybe Milwaukee or Charlotte because they have large TPE's)

Unless negotiations turned toxic and Kuminga/Lakers have really soured on each other, I'd be willing to bet that we still end up landing Kuminga.

Agreed that another starting level 3/4 instead of Kuminga would be just fine, but I still think it ends up being Kuminga.

 

Yeah the vision seems to be very clear. I'd add to the young and athletic, the ability to be multi-dimensional. All guys can shoot, pass, dribble. I think we will be a very potent offense, likely top3 of the league.
I'll wait for when we close business to give an overall review, but I'm warming up to what we are doing and gotta say there's a clear vision by the FO and JJ. I like when there's a plan. I'll even say it's quite incredible considering how short is our FO

I'm a bit worried with the lack of defensive focus on these signings, but it seems, we're planning to reply heavily on Kessler and hope Grimes, Ziaire, Thiero and Carr develop in those roles.

 

[
QUOTE="LTLakerFan, post: 613048, member: 81"]

[/QUOTE]


Kiss of death...lol.

 

Kuminga is not looking for a lot money
He refused to sign in GSW last season .

Golden State Warriors have offered the restricted free agent a two-year, $45 million deal, but Kuminga has rejected it due to the team option in the second year and the removal of a built-in no-trade clause, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Warriors insider Anthony Slater.

Kuminga is reportedly seeking more security and flexibility, preferring a player-friendly contract that allows greater control over his futur

 

I feel like they are also trying to figure out how to sign 1 Undrafted dude and then change someone to a two-way it feels like.

then we have our collective 14 and we go about our lives.

 

My guy is signed
. Boom

 

I really like the Williams signing. Today’s NBA you’ve got to stockpile guys 6’6- 6’9 that are athletic. Bring in a starting 4 and flip Bronny for a vet minimum big on whatever team he’s traded to and this team is looking much better.

 

You add a PJ Washington to this group. Check ball. It’s a legit team with legit depth. Even Kuminga there is still that possibility just more unknowns but with greater upside.