Free agency and team building going forward

[Astaluego]

JJJ would be an insanely good pairing with Luka and Reaves after Bron is out. He’d be the perfect choice. Keep Hayes, Rui, Knecht, Vincent and DFS. Add Marcus Smart.

I think the Grizzlies are paying JJJ...they have to, they got rid of the Smart/LaRavia salaries I guess to pay him...he's been by far their best player by far...I wanted a Poelt/Zubac/Robinson archetype big, but seeing how good the Lakers defense is with a lot of mobility and versatility, switching etc...I'm starting to convince myself that maybe in that style of play Claxton could be an ideal fit.

Vando to KINGS
Maxi/Knecht to NETS
Claxton to LAKERS

[stan francisco]

JJJ would be an insanely good pairing with Luka and Reaves after Bron is out. He’d be the perfect choice. Keep Hayes, Rui, Knecht, Vincent and DFS. Add Marcus Smart.

I think the Grizzlies are paying JJJ...they have to, they got rid of the Smart/LaRavia salaries I guess to pay him...he's been by far their best player by far...I wanted a Poelt/Zubac/Robinson archetype big, but seeing how good the Lakers defense is with a lot of mobility and versatility, switching etc...I'm starting to convince myself that maybe in that style of play Claxton could be an ideal fit.

Vando to KINGS
Maxi/Knecht to NETS
Claxton to LAKERS

I’m not saying in any way that it’s possible. Talking ideal fits, not reality.

I think Hayes is whom we need.

Edit: when Bron retires, we’ll sign the best FA we can get.

[DNP-Old]

LAL out: Vanderbilt and a 1st
LAL in : Goga

CHI out: C.White
CHI in: Vanderbilt, LAL 1st and ORL 2nd

ORL out: Goga and a 2nd
ORL in: C.White

[Doug_12]

LAL out: Vanderbilt and a 1st
LAL in : Goga

CHI out: C.White
CHI in: Vanderbilt, LAL 1st and ORL 2nd

ORL out: Goga and a 2nd
ORL in: C.White

I'd love Goga, but would the other teams do it? (Especially the Bulls.) Wouldn't Knecht+Milton+swap be more valuable for any team than Vanderbilt?

[Doug_12]

JJJ would be an insanely good pairing with Luka and Reaves after Bron is out. He’d be the perfect choice. Keep Hayes, Rui, Knecht, Vincent and DFS. Add Marcus Smart.

I think the Grizzlies are paying JJJ...they have to, they got rid of the Smart/LaRavia salaries I guess to pay him...he's been by far their best player by far...I wanted a Poelt/Zubac/Robinson archetype big, but seeing how good the Lakers defense is with a lot of mobility and versatility, switching etc...I'm starting to convince myself that maybe in that style of play Claxton could be an ideal fit.

Vando to KINGS
Maxi/Knecht to NETS
Claxton to LAKERS

I also think MEM wants to pay JJJ (so as 29 other teams), but would JJJ want to resign w/ them? I mean LA is probably the best FA target and if we have Luka, Reaves and cap space for another perennial All-Star, wouldn't it be more appealing than staying in Memphis?

[Apz]

But for rhose saying to wait for 26, u think luka resigns this summer if team doesnt try to get better? Like, he wants to win now. What makes him not go the lebron route and just play out next season to see what lakers do in summer of 26 before committing anything? And when gone that far, maybe he just signs 1+1 like lebron done to keep the pressure up? Winning is all he care about now, why sign longterm if team is going nowhere? Better keep his options open

[Astaluego]

JJJ would be an insanely good pairing with Luka and Reaves after Bron is out. He’d be the perfect choice. Keep Hayes, Rui, Knecht, Vincent and DFS. Add Marcus Smart.

I think the Grizzlies are paying JJJ...they have to, they got rid of the Smart/LaRavia salaries I guess to pay him...he's been by far their best player by far...I wanted a Poelt/Zubac/Robinson archetype big, but seeing how good the Lakers defense is with a lot of mobility and versatility, switching etc...I'm starting to convince myself that maybe in that style of play Claxton could be an ideal fit.

Vando to KINGS
Maxi/Knecht to NETS
Claxton to LAKERS

I also think MEM wants to pay JJJ (so as 29 other teams), but would JJJ want to resign w/ them? I mean LA is probably the best FA target and if we have Luka, Reaves and cap space for another perennial All-Star, wouldn't it be more appealing than staying in Memphis?

The Grizzlies can pay him a lot more money than any other team.

[Doug_12]

I think the Grizzlies are paying JJJ...they have to, they got rid of the Smart/LaRavia salaries I guess to pay him...he's been by far their best player by far...I wanted a Poelt/Zubac/Robinson archetype big, but seeing how good the Lakers defense is with a lot of mobility and versatility, switching etc...I'm starting to convince myself that maybe in that style of play Claxton could be an ideal fit.

Vando to KINGS
Maxi/Knecht to NETS
Claxton to LAKERS

I also think MEM wants to pay JJJ (so as 29 other teams), but would JJJ want to resign w/ them? I mean LA is probably the best FA target and if we have Luka, Reaves and cap space for another perennial All-Star, wouldn't it be more appealing than staying in Memphis?

The Grizzlies can pay him a lot more money than any other team.

Let's assume he doesn't meet the supermax criteria, how much more could MEM offer him? (Honest question, I don't know the CBA inside out. My initial assumption is that both teams can offer him the standard max)

[Doug_12]

But for rhose saying to wait for 26, u think luka resigns this summer if team doesnt try to get better? Like, he wants to win now. What makes him not go the lebron route and just play out next season to see what lakers do in summer of 26 before committing anything? And when gone that far, maybe he just signs 1+1 like lebron done to keep the pressure up? Winning is all he care about now, why sign longterm if team is going nowhere? Better keep his options open

Those can both work imo: Luka signing 1+1 and we are targeting the '26 summer. He can of course choose to go and team up w/ other good players somewhere else, where there is enough cap space. But doing it in LA is just easier imo.

[Astaluego]

But for rhose saying to wait for 26, u think luka resigns this summer if team doesnt try to get better? Like, he wants to win now. What makes him not go the lebron route and just play out next season to see what lakers do in summer of 26 before committing anything? And when gone that far, maybe he just signs 1+1 like lebron done to keep the pressure up? Winning is all he care about now, why sign longterm if team is going nowhere? Better keep his options open

Those can both work imo: Luka signing 1+1 and we are targeting the '26 summer. He can of course choose to go and team up w/ other good players somewhere else, where there is enough cap space. But doing it in LA is just easier imo.

I have been following Luka's career practically since he debuted with Real Madrid and the idea that Luka is going to be changing teams like any mercenary doesn't make sense to me at all... he would have been delighted to spend his entire career with the Mavs.

[Astaluego]

I also think MEM wants to pay JJJ (so as 29 other teams), but would JJJ want to resign w/ them? I mean LA is probably the best FA target and if we have Luka, Reaves and cap space for another perennial All-Star, wouldn't it be more appealing than staying in Memphis?

The Grizzlies can pay him a lot more money than any other team.

Let's assume he doesn't meet the supermax criteria, how much more could MEM offer him? (Honest question, I don't know the CBA inside out. My initial assumption is that both teams can offer him the standard max)

I'm not sure how much LAL could offer him...but he'll be eligible for 35% of the Grizzlies' cap space...I couldn't say, but I do think that adding up the total amount, Memphis can definitely give him a large enough amount.

[Doug_12]

The Grizzlies can pay him a lot more money than any other team.

Let's assume he doesn't meet the supermax criteria, how much more could MEM offer him? (Honest question, I don't know the CBA inside out. My initial assumption is that both teams can offer him the standard max)

I'm not sure how much LAL could offer him...but he'll be eligible for 35% of the Grizzlies' cap space...I couldn't say, but I do think that adding up the total amount, Memphis can definitely give him a large enough amount.

I'm pretty sure that 35% applies only if he meets the supermax criteria.

[DNP-Old]

LAL out: Vanderbilt and a 1st
LAL in : Goga

CHI out: C.White
CHI in: Vanderbilt, LAL 1st and ORL 2nd

ORL out: Goga and a 2nd
ORL in: C.White

I'd love Goga, but would the other teams do it? (Especially the Bulls.) Wouldn't Knecht+Milton+swap be more valuable for any team than Vanderbilt?

I don't know if the other teams would do it, but I think that CHI would prefer my version. Milton has no value. A swap from LAL has little, if any, value to CHI. I also think CHI would prefer a future unprotected LAL 1st to Knecht, but again I don't actually know what they would like.

[Doug_12]

LAL out: Vanderbilt and a 1st
LAL in : Goga

CHI out: C.White
CHI in: Vanderbilt, LAL 1st and ORL 2nd

ORL out: Goga and a 2nd
ORL in: C.White

I'd love Goga, but would the other teams do it? (Especially the Bulls.) Wouldn't Knecht+Milton+swap be more valuable for any team than Vanderbilt?

I don't know if the other teams would do it, but I think that CHI would prefer my version. Milton has no value. A swap from LAL has little, if any, value to CHI. I also think CHI would prefer a future unprotected LAL 1st to Knecht, but again I don't actually know what they would like.

Yeah makes sense. BTW I more meant offering Knecht, Milton, swaps plus a 1st, rather than Knecht being an alternative for the future 1st. I'd offer this package for Goga without hesitation...

[DanishLakerFan]

Let's assume he doesn't meet the supermax criteria, how much more could MEM offer him? (Honest question, I don't know the CBA inside out. My initial assumption is that both teams can offer him the standard max)

I'm not sure how much LAL could offer him...but he'll be eligible for 35% of the Grizzlies' cap space...I couldn't say, but I do think that adding up the total amount, Memphis can definitely give him a large enough amount.

I'm pretty sure that 35% applies only if he meets the supermax criteria.

Finding a young 3s/D guard this summer, then signing Jaren Jackson Jr as a FA in 2026 with Lebron and Austin sticking around would be best case scenario, but you kinda expect Memphis to give JJJ a max extension.

[Doug_12]

I'm not sure how much LAL could offer him...but he'll be eligible for 35% of the Grizzlies' cap space...I couldn't say, but I do think that adding up the total amount, Memphis can definitely give him a large enough amount.

I'm pretty sure that 35% applies only if he meets the supermax criteria.

Finding a young 3s/D guard this summer, then signing Jaren Jackson Jr as a FA in 2026 with Lebron and Austin sticking around would be best case scenario, but you kinda expect Memphis to give JJJ a max extension.

Along those lines, if we could lure NAW from the Wolves for around 5-6 mils/year, that'd be huge for us. Then a smart trade for someone like Goga and we are in a good position to build a solid team around Luka.:

We would have a payroll of
Luka: 49 mils
Reaves: 15 mils
Vando: 12.4 mils
Bronny: 2.2 mils
NAW: 6 mils
Goga: 7.6 mils
to start the 2026 offseason. That's 92.2 million, w/ the cap projected to be around 165-170 mils. We can afford two high level player like JJJ and Bridges and then use the MLE and the BAE for someone chasing a ring (maybe someone who can both contend and play with his son in his last season would also consider it :wink)

[Astaluego]

I'm pretty sure that 35% applies only if he meets the supermax criteria.

Finding a young 3s/D guard this summer, then signing Jaren Jackson Jr as a FA in 2026 with Lebron and Austin sticking around would be best case scenario, but you kinda expect Memphis to give JJJ a max extension.

Along those lines, if we could lure NAW from the Wolves for around 5-6 mils/year, that'd be huge for us. Then a smart trade for someone like Goga and we are in a good position to build a solid team around Luka.:

We would have a payroll of
Luka: 49 mils
Reaves: 15 mils
Vando: 12.4 mils
Bronny: 2.2 mils
NAW: 6 mils
Goga: 7.6 mils
to start the 2026 offseason. That's 92.2 million, w/ the cap projected to be around 165-170 mils. We can afford two high level player like JJJ and Bridges and then use the MLE and the BAE for someone chasing a ring (maybe someone who can both contend and play with his son in his last season would also consider it :wink)

It looks good and I really like your NAW objective. Plus I think the Wolves will have to let him go, especially with Randle accepting his PO and Naz (who has already rejected his PO) needing a new contract... I also think NAW will get more money (around the full MLE) in the range of similar archetypes (Donte/Vincen) and I definitely think the Grizzlies won't let JJJ go to FA.

[Beethoven]

Durant in the summer.

[LakersSoul]

I know we love the flashy names but might be smart to extend AR and keep our payroll flexible.

Draft a lob-threat center and/or trade for a contract controlled center.

Keep adding long wings

[LakersSoul]

Draft: (late second or as undrafted FA)

1. Raynaud (stanford)
2. Ivisic (arkansas)
3. Yang (China)

Trades:
1. Kessler
2. Mark Williams