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

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by TIME, Jun 24, 2025.

  1. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Messages:
    4,123
    Likes Received:
    7,021
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
  2. Juronimo

    Juronimo - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    2,657
    Likes Received:
    7,294
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    plays with one's and zero's
    Location:
    the sky's the limit
    Offline
    I guess he got bored playing with ****
     
  3. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Rookie -

    Joined:
    May 19, 2025
    Messages:
    672
    Likes Received:
    632
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Offline
    its gonna be hard asking 38 year old Kevin Durant to be 25 year old Kevin Durant and carry you’re team.
     
    svtzr and abeer3 like this.
  4. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Rookie -

    Joined:
    May 19, 2025
    Messages:
    672
    Likes Received:
    632
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Offline
    Difference with us is our team is being led by Luka Doncic a 26 year old superstar.

    and their team is being led by Kevin Durant a 38 year old superstar.

    huge difference. Oh yeah btw the way we have a 40 year old hall of famer LeBron James in a supporting role for Doncic to make that 38 year old Durant have to guard him.

    who does Luka have to guard Van Fleet?
     
    lakerjones and abeer3 like this.
  5. Wino

    Wino - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2017
    Messages:
    3,478
    Likes Received:
    7,673
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    La Jolla
    Offline
    are you still sore over the black olives issue?
    [​IMG]
     
  6. sk2408

    sk2408 - Lakers 6th Man -

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2022
    Messages:
    1,530
    Likes Received:
    3,718
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    I don't think the positional stuff will be an issue for the Rockets. They can play really big with FVV/Amen/Durant/Jabari/Sengun, or they can go a little smaller with Eason or DFS in there for Jabari. Playing the 2 vs. the 3 vs. the 4 doesn't really mean anything offensively. KD is still coming off pin downs and doing his iso stuff regardless. Amen is going to do the same stuff offensively whether he's playing the 4 (next to Jalen Green and Brooks like he was last year) or at the 2 (next to KD and Jabari/Eason/DFS like he did this year).

    Defensively is where that stuff matters more, but they're versatile enough to deal with it. Amen can guard anyone 1-4. Jabari and KD are going to be in helper/low-man roles. VanVleet will be guarding at the POA or in a chaser role. DFS and Eason can come off the bench and be wing stoppers or helpers as well.

    I am in no rush to play that team lol, they're going to be a pain in the a**. They have a ton of size, rebounding, in defense that will help them rack up regular season wins. They're banking on having a Top 3 defense and being able to patch together a competent halfcourt playoff offense. I think they're a bad matchup for us. I like our chances better against Denver tbh.
     
    Kobeluka99, Panko and abeer3 like this.
  7. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

    Top Poster Of Month

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    30,821
    Likes Received:
    83,970
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    ironically, their weakness is sengun at center defensively. they made up for that last year with athletes 2-4 and a bulldog in fvv. i think this is why they've invested so much in backup center.

    i do think the meshing of playing styles that pika mentioned is an issue. if they underperform, imo, it will be because they couldn't find the right pace.

    i'll reiterate my ongoing (in this thread and spanning years before) lack of concern about shooting. we won our last ring being a bad shooting team. yeah, we lost to denver twice because we couldn't shoot, but, imo, if we were as good defensively as we were when we won the ring, it wouldn't have mattered. if you have two bona fide offensive stars that require a double team and a top-5 defense, you're going to be a tough out. that's an easier build than these C Bags/okc 5 two-way players, most of whom can shoot rosters.

    the clippers are trying it again with harden/kawhi and a bunch of defenders, and i think it's exactly what i would do in their position. i don't think we can do that this year, but going forward, we need to be looking at defense, defense, defense around luka and austin (or the second star austin is traded for).
     
  8. sk2408

    sk2408 - Lakers 6th Man -

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2022
    Messages:
    1,530
    Likes Received:
    3,718
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    Yeah the play style point was an interesting one that I didn't acknowledge. They remind of that 2016 Thunder team that was absolutely massive with Russ/Roberson/KD/Ibaka/Adams, with Kanter coming to replace or even play with Adams sometimes too. That team was 10th in pace in the regular season, but in the playoffs really wanted to slow it down and lean on their size, offensive rebounding, and the sheer talent of Durant and Westbrook in the halfcourt. The Rockets were actually also 10th in pace this past regular season, but in the playoffs they really slowed it down because they thought their best shot at beating the Warriors was in a rock fight.

    I think the idea will be to try and get easy opportunities in transition in the regular season, but in the playoffs really grind things to a halt.
     
    Panko and abeer3 like this.
  9. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Messages:
    4,123
    Likes Received:
    7,021
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    Word around the league surrounding Love is that he wants to end up in Los Angeles, sources said. There were some rumors that Love would want to go to New York, although there doesn't seem to be much interest brewing from the Knicks.

    Both the Clippers and Lakers still have one open roster spot. But if the Lakers were to pursue Love and reunite him with LeBron, they would need to move off another contract since they are hard-capped at the first apron and just $1.1 million from this mark. When looking at the Clippers, they are basically in the same situation, as they are $1.2 million from their first apron hard cap.

    The two other teams with open roster spots that allow Love the opportunity to be a part of a winning organization are the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors. There has not been any reported interest between Love and these two teams, as these are just potential options for the veteran to possibly explore as he looks to depart the Jazz.
     
    Panko and abeer3 like this.
  10. FrontOfJersey22

    FrontOfJersey22 - Lakers All Star -

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2021
    Messages:
    6,181
    Likes Received:
    10,757
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    Why even add K Love at this point?
    We don’t need another water boy.
    This team should be done with adding washed players.
    Rob went down that route before.
    I would much rather have someone young to develop moving forward than a guy who may help win us a handful of regular season games.
     
    Kobeluka99, Panko and LTLakerFan like this.
  11. CarolinaLakerFan

    CarolinaLakerFan - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2014
    Messages:
    2,162
    Likes Received:
    6,670
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    South Carolina
    Offline
    If we’re gonna waste our last roster spot I’d much rather we do it on Ben Simmons or Bol Bol than K-Love.
     
    Kobeluka99, Panko and sirronstuff like this.
  12. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    32,726
    Likes Received:
    79,100
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Your time is running out Ham
    Location:
    Laker Purgatory
    Offline
    Assistant Coach maybe if he wants to come and be on the bench
     
    Kobeluka99 and Panko like this.
  13. Kobeluka99

    Kobeluka99 - Rookie -

    Joined:
    May 19, 2025
    Messages:
    672
    Likes Received:
    632
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Offline

    No no no no I like you. But don’t like the post. Here’s why I don’t care what anybody says. The Rockets. I repeat The Rockets have no answer for LeBron James.


    King James. Nobody on the rockets can guard LeBron James for four games. Don’t get it twisted we had no Center last playoffs.

    Who deals with Ayton???? Segun Adams Capella??? Ayton will put seguns a** on the bench with 4 fouls.

    you mention Thompson I guess he’ll get Luka.

    Lebron kicked torched Finney Smiths a** in practice. I’m not worried about Jabari Smith.


    What about Rui???? What about Reaves. Reaves will have a great series. We’re versatile as f***.

    we’re the one team that will make Durant tired having to play defense.

    and you want Denver???? Nope. With Jokic Brown Murray Johnson and Gordon a bigger defender for LeBron????


    Give me Houston I’ll have Luka deal with Van Fleet. I’m not concerned with Houston. I relish it. Bring them on.

    We have enough shooters threes to negate Kevin Durant scoring bunches.

    I was not impressed with Houston against Golden State. They remind me of the Portland Trail Blazers. 2000 a young team up and coming with Bonzi Wells Rasheed Wallace and Jermaine O Neal with old a** Scottie Pippen.

    remember one thing my brotha. They gotta play us to.
     

Share This Page