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

If Lakers absorb Dort's 18.2 million, who would you want to get with the remaining 20 million or so?

 

For me, it has to be a big who can play defense and finish the lobs.
I think the only way to get this ask is via trade. If we can flip Rui plus a couple of the firsts plus throw ins, I think we could be there. I just don’t know which GM is willing to trade with us. It’s not going to be easy.

 

Rui has a 27 million dollar cap hold. So, if we don't renounce him, we wouldn't be able to absorb Dort with 11 million. Jaxon's cap hold in 6.5 million. I'm in favor of signing him for 8 million per year, after we fill the cap room. I think we could get a decent center in the draft. I't a draft rich in lob threat bigs, and those type of player typically adjust to the NBA quickly, give the relative simplicity of their games. We would still need to fill another position, so I'm in favor of going after Ellis or Grimes with the remaining 20 million.

 

I'd love to pick up Grimes in a vaccuum, but I'm wincing at the thought of having such a small starting lineup between Austin, Dort and Ellis or Grimes all being 6'5" or under and all having relatively similar wingspans as their heights. I'd be more open to the idea if one of either Dort or Ellis/Grimes had a wingspan of 7ft or longer, to at least compensate for the height differential. Heaven forbid we draft a Center who's under 6'10", like Morez Johnson Jr. or Flory Bidunga, in this scenario.

Again, IMO the play is to trade for Dort, draft a Center or two and figure out whatever it takes to have enough cap space still afterwards to get to an agreeable contract price for Tari Eason in a S&T with Houston. Eason brings needed size to the roster to balance things out alongside Luka to where we can potentially draft a somewhat undersized Center and not have to worry too much about it overall.

 

That's a good plan. Do you have some backup plans?

 

I think we have a legit shot with Luka this season. With Luka shooting the ball. If the ball and offense is revolving around Luka we can win it all. Some people don’t see it from basketball. Luka has to shoot at a high volume for the Lakers to win. Because that pushes the tempo of the game. Less dribbles more shots. Shoot shoot shoot push pase. When Luka is shooting like that it’s on a string and the defense doesn’t know where the ball is going. That’s how we beat the Twolves twice. And that’s how the Lakers beat the Twolves. And that’s how the Mavs beat the Twolves. Push the ball and just shoot hoist it up. Luka and Austin are playing how Kyrie and Luka played. It keeps the defense on skates. At that pace Edwards can’t slow it down and go to work on offense . Because the tempo is so fast he’s running around chasing Luka and Reaves. Like he was chasing Luka and Kyrie. If Jj reddick was smart. He would show the team that tape. And say that’s how they should play.

Lebron just fit in do a little bit of everything.

and you’ll win your championship.

Yall talk about the Lob threat. Ayton can be the lob threat because the ball is moving so fast. The lobs are going to be open. In an offense like that I’m a lob threat. Just be at the rim and you’ll get the ball.

that’s the secret of Luka.

 

The only backup plans I can think of at the moment are either:

• Go after Andrew Wiggins somehow
• If we get Dort and either Ellis or Grimes, drafting at least one defensive anchor 7ft+ sized Center is a non-negotiable mandate, to help clean up any size issues at the perimeter defensively with a dedicated rim protector

 

I’m not hopeful that a rookie center taken late 1st or 2nd round will have much of an impact for a season or two. In general, it’s going to be the defensive side where they’ll struggle. Most big guys take a little while to learn how to play defense effectively without fouling constantly in the NBA.

It’s one of the reasons I’d want an established big man, albeit a role playing one. I might be in the minority but I’d be interested in going after Claxton.

 

Good point on the wingspans. Ellis has the same wingspan as Cason Wallace (6'8.5). Luka has the same wingspan as SGA (6'11) But, Jalen Williams has a (7'2) wingspan though, compared to Reaves (6'6.25). So, I get your point on wingspans. Eason has a 7'2 wingspan.

(1) Draft Night: Trade the 2031 1st to OKC for the 18th pick and the worst of their 2027 1st's. Draft lob-threat bigs with #18 and #23.

(2) Tell Houston you are going to offer Eason a descending offer sheet starting at 35 million. Contract is 4-years and 124 million. Agree to sign-and-trade with Houston. Send them either the 18th or 23rd pick and the 2033 1st. If they want players, go ahead and give them, just not Thiero. Likely deal is something like the 18th pick and the 2033 1st to Houston.

(3) Sign Kennard with the room exception.

(4) Sign Goodwin for vet minimum.

(5) Sign Robert Williams with vet minimum.

(6) Sign Clarkson with vet minimum.

(7) Sign Aaron Holiday with the vet minimum.

(8) Waive Ayton and Knecht.

Role
Scorer: Luka 36 min, Reaves 12, Clarkson
Shooter: Reaves 24, Kennard 24
POA: Smart 28, Goodwin 20, Holiday, Bronny
Tough Wing: Eason 28, Thiero 20, LaRavia, Vanderbilt
Lob Threat: Hayes 18, Cyril 18, Williams 12

Just keep in mind, in this scenario, you are essentially choosing Eason over Dort AND Ellis.

 

why the hell would jordan goodwin sign for the vet minimum - he's going to get a good deal from somebody

 

Damn, yeah you are right. Who's a decent backup POA for the vet minimum?