Trades

[danfantastk32]

Trade 1 ... Lakers Utah - Target Is Kessler.

Lakers In: Kessler, Collins, SVI
Lakers Out: Rui, Reaves, Knecht 1 FRP

Utah Out: Kessler, Collins, SVI
Utah In: Rui, Reaves, Knecht 1 frp

But why? Why overpay with picks and talent? I don't think we should build around Luka personally....but if we are gonna do it, then at least do it right. Lebron is done. He'll be gone in June, or the one after. So we can all get out of "closing window" mode.

No need to try and build a winner this month. Luka is 25...just starting his prime, or maybe not even in it yet. If a good deal comes along, then great...but let's not part with our last tradable FRP and several decent players in this mad rush to try and toss something together for a playoff run. We got zero defense now...and two guys who need the ball. What we need to do now is BUILD this team around our new young star (kinda like the sound of that, not gonna lie). I'm not saying take forever....but we don't need to get scalped anymore, for semi-decent talent. We got time to do it right.

*edit*
Ill add to this: Knecht is the kinda guy you wanna put around Luka. Guys who can catch and shoot, and spread the floor...with some playmaking ability....but who don't need the ball. Cause guess what? They ain't getting it.

[Beethoven]

Rui and reeves for bam adebayo

[LAKESHOW]

Regarding Reeves. I've seen alotta Trade Reeves scenarios, but I think they, the Mavericks, asked for him. I believe they wanted him. I believe they made a play for Reeves. But Rob said no, no deal. I mean no one knows for sure the conversation, but Im gonna lean with that belief. It seems like an obvious ask and request.
Meaning, Rob has believes in Reeves status. Our #3 player. So i don't think Rob will dump Reeves for an extra added piece, let's say a center, but will dump other pieces and try another way.

[Beethoven]

Regarding Reeves. I've seen alotta Trade Reeves scenarios, but I think they, the Mavericks, asked for him. I believe they wanted him. I believe they made a play for Reeves. But Rob said no, no deal. I mean no one knows for sure the conversation, but Im gonna lean with that belief. It seems like an obvious ask and request.
Meaning, Rob has believes in Reeves status. Our #3 player. So i don't think Rob will dump Reeves for an extra added piece, let's say a center, but will dump other pieces and try another way.

Or maybe he's saving reeves for another transaction like for a center. I mean, at this point we have doncic who's several layers upgrade over whatever Reeves does, who doesn't really play defense either anyways.

[DanishLakerFan]

Kevin O'Connor suggested Lakers traded for Buddy and Draymond.
https://sports.yahoo.com/the-warriors-need-to-blow-it-up-why-its-time-to-trade-stephen-curry-and-draymond-green-183726649.html

Both picks,

[DanishLakerFan]

That could still work

[Big_Aristotle]

Luka is a generational talent coming in, and provides a generational opportunity for the Lakers. It's actually almost at the same level as KD to the Warriors for me because of the current roster construction and salary setup. I'll tell you why.

Let's first start with the current Lakers core: LeBron and Luka is the most basketball IQ in two players that has ever shared an NBA court. They each are unstoppable on offense and among the best passers in league history. If they can figure it out on and off the court, the NBA is in deep trouble. You cannot defend them, there is no solution for it.

Then: I can totally see Lebron extend his career as long as possible to make use of the opportunity. They can win championships together if more moves are being made.

And here is why I believe this is a generational opportunity for the Lakers to build an amazing roster for the future. All the following players are on perfectly tradeable contracts providing a **** ton of flexibility and those players' trade value is probably at the highest it has been in the last few years:

- Rui Hachimura: $17 million. Playing his best ball off his career and reliable 3-point shooter. Has good size and strong.
- Austin Reaves: $13 million: very friendly contract value/price perspective. Still young and great playmaker, but a bit redundant with Luka/Lebron to share the ball and has serious limitations on defense. You can't have Austin/Luka as backcourt and expect to be able to defend anything. Fan favorite so a bit tricky.
- Gabe Vincent: $11 million: finally healthy and playing well! Proved his value in Miami playoff series, Great defender and complementary to Luka. You probably want to keep him instead of Austin
- Jarred Vanderbilt: $10.7 million: finally healthy, but too early due to his long history of injuries and therefore more of a salary filler right now. Teams will consider him a risky investment, but since he's playing again it's not necessarily a bad contract where you need to sacrifice a pick just to get rid off. Just not super attractive.
- Dalton Knecht: $3.8 million. Rookie prospect who has proven himself as a great shooter. Definitely has value around the league

Other salary fillers: Christian Wood, Shake Milton, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber (if tradeable).
Other tradeable assets: 2031 first round pick, pick swaps.

You can easily get to a salary range of $40 million to acquire one young amazing complementary talent, or two $20 million packages to get two complementary pieces.

This is where you can't be satisfied and be greedy. The GM has to use this opportunity and go after the players that are an amazing fit (think Walker Kessler, Myles Turner, ...). Don't go for B- or C+ solutions. Now is the time.
Oh, and if Lebron decides to retire, his salary comes off the books and they have clear cap space to operate in while continuing to build around Luka as cornerstone franchise player.

Let's not screw this up please. Trading for Doncic was an amazing accomplishment by Rob, but what follows next is as-important as the first move. Or even more important.

[DanishLakerFan]

Any chance the Lakers and JAzz already have a deal in place for Walker Kessler?

But have it on hold until the dust settles and LA made another move or two.

I mean, the Jazz did help facilitate the Luka-deal which in all likelyhood will decrease the value of the likely post-lebron '27 pick they own and i'm not sure JHS and a few late 2nd rounders that essentially can be bought is going to be worth it.

[-Spyda-]

What with the Pistons bigs ?
Jalen Duren ? Isaiah Stewart ?
I think Duren can be great her

[tamaraw08]

What with the Pistons bigs ?
Jalen Duren ? Isaiah Stewart ?
I think Duren can be great her

I really like Duren but Detroit is finally not tanking this season, currently at 7th place so I can't see them trading away their starting center.
Stewart is just 6-8, too short to cover legit bigs imo. He can defend some centers with his physicality but the guy is a borderline dirty player.

[tamaraw08]

Any chance the Lakers and JAzz already have a deal in place for Walker Kessler?

But have it on hold until the dust settles and LA made another move or two.

I mean, the Jazz did help facilitate the Luka-deal which in all likelyhood will decrease the value of the likely post-lebron '27 pick they own and i'm not sure JHS and a few late 2nd rounders that essentially can be bought is going to be worth it.

I'm guessing Ainge is asking for BOTH Knecht and Reaves PLUS the 2031 pick with NO PROTECTIONS.
I'm also guessing Rob is spreading rumors that he's looking somewhere else and might just take a lesser offer to get either Poeltl or Rob Williams so Ainge would lessen his demands.
That 2031 pick would be very valuable post-Lebron IMO.

[LAKESHOW]

Well, We've gotta few days of furious work needed by Rob. Or it's Max Kleber or bust! Lol

[BliscoSantos]

I think the best move right now for the Lakers would be to be patient,not rush things/trade their only assets for mediocre upgrade...everyone now gonna drive the price up in trades cause they think LA is in a rush

[SlimShady83]

I'm guessing Ainge is asking for BOTH Knecht and Reaves PLUS the 2031 pick with NO PROTECTIONS.
I'm also guessing Rob is spreading rumors that he's looking somewhere else and might just take a lesser offer to get either Poeltl or Rob Williams so Ainge would lessen his demands.

Exactly this, which Is why I'm using the FRP...

[SlimShady83]

What with the Pistons bigs ?
Jalen Duren ? Isaiah Stewart ?
I think Duren can be great her

I really like Duren but Detroit is finally not tanking this season, currently at 7th place so I can't see them trading away their starting center.
Stewart is just 6-8, too short to cover legit bigs imo. He can defend some centers with his physicality but the guy is a borderline dirty player.

I like Duren as well, but don't see them trading him, why I never mentioned him

[DanishLakerFan]

Any chance the Lakers and JAzz already have a deal in place for Walker Kessler?

But have it on hold until the dust settles and LA made another move or two.

I mean, the Jazz did help facilitate the Luka-deal which in all likelyhood will decrease the value of the likely post-lebron '27 pick they own and i'm not sure JHS and a few late 2nd rounders that essentially can be bought is going to be worth it.

I'm guessing Ainge is asking for BOTH Knecht and Reaves PLUS the 2031 pick with NO PROTECTIONS.
I'm also guessing Rob is spreading rumors that he's looking somewhere else and might just take a lesser offer to get either Poeltl or Rob Williams so Ainge would lessen his demands.
That 2031 pick would be very valuable post-Lebron IMO.

Not sure. At that price I think a lot would be possible.
Personally, I'd give up 2031, remove protection on 2027 and possibly throw in a 2026 swap for Kessler.

[Syko_boB]

Dennis Smith Jr, Torrey Craig, Lonnie Walker

One of them from FA to fill Max's role

[stan francisco]

Knecht and Reaves is way too much for Kessler. No.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Best simile so far: the Mavs trading Luka for AD is like The 1972 Jackson 5 trading Micheal Jackson for 1989 Queen’s Freddy Mercury

[SlimShady83]

Best simile so far: the Mavs trading Luka for AD is like The 1972 Jackson 5 trading Micheal Jackson for 1989 Queen’s Freddy Mercury

Sorry Bro that trade Is too much, might have to throw In some draft capital