Lakers Trade IDEAS

[DanishLakerFan]

I’m staring to think that we HAVE to trade Westbrook and operate as a team over the cap. Hear me out.

We have roughly 35 million in cap space not counting our pick and Hachimura’s cap hold. I assumed Damion Jones opts out or we move him and Reeves caphold along with the capholds for the 8 unrostered spots. Now we include Rui’s caphold and the amount we can pay a free agent goes down to 17 million. If Rui takes the qualifying offer that amount goes up to roughly 27 million. The free agency class is pretty ass:

Kyrie-hell no to this nut job
Dangelo Russell-been there, don’t that, pass
Harden-maybe but he plays no defence and has fallen off since the hamstring injury. Plus he might just opt into the contract
Vucevic- pass unless he takes a deep discount
Jerami Grant- he’s delusional and wants 200 million
Caris Lavert-pass
Christian Wood- see Vucevic
Fred Van Vleet- trust me as a Raptors fan you don’t want to pay Van Vleet 30+ million
Gary Trent- he’d be a great fit but he’s looking for a pay raise

That’s it. Those are the headliners. If the Lakers are waiting for a superstar trade, then the summer makes sense because the 23 pick opens up. And you’d have to match salary anyways so going under the cap actually doesn’t make much sense. Trade Westbrook for some longer contracts even if it’s just a straight salary dump. I’d consider trading Beverly and Lonnie Walker’s bum ass as well depending on who you get back for Westbrook but they might help us make the play-in.

I agree and it's been my stance all the way through. Even a simple Hayward for Westbrook swap would be better than doing nothing, because Hayward is less damaging in the playoffs (if we make it) and he can be flipped next season along with 3 picks for another piece.

[TheHartBreakKid]

I’m staring to think that we HAVE to trade Westbrook and operate as a team over the cap. Hear me out.

We have roughly 35 million in cap space not counting our pick and Hachimura’s cap hold. I assumed Damion Jones opts out or we move him and Reeves caphold along with the capholds for the 8 unrostered spots. Now we include Rui’s caphold and the amount we can pay a free agent goes down to 17 million. If Rui takes the qualifying offer that amount goes up to roughly 27 million. The free agency class is pretty ass:

Kyrie-hell no to this nut job
Dangelo Russell-been there, don’t that, pass
Harden-maybe but he plays no defence and has fallen off since the hamstring injury. Plus he might just opt into the contract
Vucevic- pass unless he takes a deep discount
Jerami Grant- he’s delusional and wants 200 million
Caris Lavert-pass
Christian Wood- see Vucevic
Fred Van Vleet- trust me as a Raptors fan you don’t want to pay Van Vleet 30+ million
Gary Trent- he’d be a great fit but he’s looking for a pay raise

That’s it. Those are the headliners. If the Lakers are waiting for a superstar trade, then the summer makes sense because the 23 pick opens up. And you’d have to match salary anyways so going under the cap actually doesn’t make much sense. Trade Westbrook for some longer contracts even if it’s just a straight salary dump. I’d consider trading Beverly and Lonnie Walker’s bum ass as well depending on who you get back for Westbrook but they might help us make the play-in.

I agree and it's been my stance all the way through. Even a simple Hayward for Westbrook swap would be better than doing nothing, because Hayward is less damaging in the playoffs (if we make it) and he can be flipped next season along with 3 picks for another piece.

A simple Hayward for Westbrook swap isn't an option. Rozier, Oubre, or Plummlee would need to be involved for salary cap purposed. Trading Russ without a playmaking/ball handling guard coming back would be a mistake imo. Leaving Lebron stranded with Schroder as the second best ball handler is a losing formula. I mean, we already tried that in 2021 and that didn't work out too well by any means.

If we are trading Russ, I would hope that someone like Rozier or Conley is coming back.

[Pointgod]

I’m staring to think that we HAVE to trade Westbrook and operate as a team over the cap. Hear me out.

We have roughly 35 million in cap space not counting our pick and Hachimura’s cap hold. I assumed Damion Jones opts out or we move him and Reeves caphold along with the capholds for the 8 unrostered spots. Now we include Rui’s caphold and the amount we can pay a free agent goes down to 17 million. If Rui takes the qualifying offer that amount goes up to roughly 27 million. The free agency class is pretty ass:

Kyrie-hell no to this nut job
Dangelo Russell-been there, don’t that, pass
Harden-maybe but he plays no defence and has fallen off since the hamstring injury. Plus he might just opt into the contract
Vucevic- pass unless he takes a deep discount
Jerami Grant- he’s delusional and wants 200 million
Caris Lavert-pass
Christian Wood- see Vucevic
Fred Van Vleet- trust me as a Raptors fan you don’t want to pay Van Vleet 30+ million
Gary Trent- he’d be a great fit but he’s looking for a pay raise

That’s it. Those are the headliners. If the Lakers are waiting for a superstar trade, then the summer makes sense because the 23 pick opens up. And you’d have to match salary anyways so going under the cap actually doesn’t make much sense. Trade Westbrook for some longer contracts even if it’s just a straight salary dump. I’d consider trading Beverly and Lonnie Walker’s bum ass as well depending on who you get back for Westbrook but they might help us make the play-in.

as a raptors fan... would you trade FVV, Trent, and OG ... for AD, Beverly, jones, and Juan??.... essentially trading OG for AD since FVV and Trent are goners. raptors will have Scottie, AD, and pascal to attract free agents. Lakers get great return.

I’m a Lakers fan first but also root for the Raptors. Putting my hat on as a fan of both teams, I don’t think it makes a lot of sense. I guess from the Raptors perspective they get a legit superstar and address the glaring hole at the Center position. They don’t give up any picks it’s almost a no brainer, but I don’t see the point. AD is guaranteed to miss games and the Raptors have zero guard depth moving forward. What’s the ceiling of that team? Second round? Conference finals? Raptors actually want to resign Gary Trent and might end up just extending Van Vleet to a short term contract so I don’t buy the idea that they lose both of them. I think Raptors need to trade Van Vleet and OG to take a step back to retool with more assets and picks to build a more balanced team. I don’t hate it from the Raptors perspective, but the transaction keeps them in compete now mode.

From the Lakers perspective it makes even less sense. Have zero interior presence and basically become a poor rebounding, jump shooting team and I don’t see how you play Hachimura, Lebron, OG and also Schroeder, Van Vleet, Westbrook. Just too much over lap with poor shooting. This is a step back, especially if we keep Westbrook on the team. Plus we lose a legit, although injured superstar. It’s too bad we can’t trade a lottery protected pick this year because in believe Gary Trent Jr is the perfect fit for the Lakers. Great shooter, can create his own shot, not a great defender but active. He fits perfectly here. And the Raptors would take a first round pick for him and gain some cap flexibility in the process. But no way should we trade the 2027 or 2029 pick for Van Vleet or Trent Jr.

[Pointgod]

I’m staring to think that we HAVE to trade Westbrook and operate as a team over the cap. Hear me out.

We have roughly 35 million in cap space not counting our pick and Hachimura’s cap hold. I assumed Damion Jones opts out or we move him and Reeves caphold along with the capholds for the 8 unrostered spots. Now we include Rui’s caphold and the amount we can pay a free agent goes down to 17 million. If Rui takes the qualifying offer that amount goes up to roughly 27 million. The free agency class is pretty ass:

Kyrie-hell no to this nut job
Dangelo Russell-been there, don’t that, pass
Harden-maybe but he plays no defence and has fallen off since the hamstring injury. Plus he might just opt into the contract
Vucevic- pass unless he takes a deep discount
Jerami Grant- he’s delusional and wants 200 million
Caris Lavert-pass
Christian Wood- see Vucevic
Fred Van Vleet- trust me as a Raptors fan you don’t want to pay Van Vleet 30+ million
Gary Trent- he’d be a great fit but he’s looking for a pay raise

That’s it. Those are the headliners. If the Lakers are waiting for a superstar trade, then the summer makes sense because the 23 pick opens up. And you’d have to match salary anyways so going under the cap actually doesn’t make much sense. Trade Westbrook for some longer contracts even if it’s just a straight salary dump. I’d consider trading Beverly and Lonnie Walker’s bum ass as well depending on who you get back for Westbrook but they might help us make the play-in.

I agree and it's been my stance all the way through. Even a simple Hayward for Westbrook swap would be better than doing nothing, because Hayward is less damaging in the playoffs (if we make it) and he can be flipped next season along with 3 picks for another piece.

A simple Hayward for Westbrook swap isn't an option. Rozier, Oubre, or Plummlee would need to be involved for salary cap purposed. Trading Russ without a playmaking/ball handling guard coming back would be a mistake imo. Leaving Lebron stranded with Schroder as the second best ball handler is a losing formula. I mean, we already tried that in 2021 and that didn't work out too well by any means.

If we are trading Russ, I would hope that someone like Rozier or Conley is coming back.

Theres a three team trade where we get Hayward, Mason Plumlee and Eric Gordon for Russ and Lonnie Walker IV. We get size, scoring, playmaking and Hayward can give you 30 minutes. Charlotte clears a bunch of capspace. I just can’t figure how to make it work for Houston. To make the salary work Houston needs to get Oubre, who’s a great tank commander but horrible for development. Maybe Charlotte adds in Kai Jones and or Bouknight, a couple seconds for a first round pick from Brooklyn, Milwaukee or Philadelphia’s via Houston.

[loveshaq786]

Westbrook, Beverly, walker,and jones and a UNPROTECTED first.... to Chicago for lavine, derozan, and caruso

Chicago dumps all major salary

trade lavine and juan for FVV and Trent straight up

[TJM217]

I’m staring to think that we HAVE to trade Westbrook and operate as a team over the cap. Hear me out.

We have roughly 35 million in cap space not counting our pick and Hachimura’s cap hold. I assumed Damion Jones opts out or we move him and Reeves caphold along with the capholds for the 8 unrostered spots. Now we include Rui’s caphold and the amount we can pay a free agent goes down to 17 million. If Rui takes the qualifying offer that amount goes up to roughly 27 million. The free agency class is pretty ass:

Kyrie-hell no to this nut job
Dangelo Russell-been there, don’t that, pass
Harden-maybe but he plays no defence and has fallen off since the hamstring injury. Plus he might just opt into the contract
Vucevic- pass unless he takes a deep discount
Jerami Grant- he’s delusional and wants 200 million
Caris Lavert-pass
Christian Wood- see Vucevic
Fred Van Vleet- trust me as a Raptors fan you don’t want to pay Van Vleet 30+ million
Gary Trent- he’d be a great fit but he’s looking for a pay raise

That’s it. Those are the headliners. If the Lakers are waiting for a superstar trade, then the summer makes sense because the 23 pick opens up. And you’d have to match salary anyways so going under the cap actually doesn’t make much sense. Trade Westbrook for some longer contracts even if it’s just a straight salary dump. I’d consider trading Beverly and Lonnie Walker’s bum ass as well depending on who you get back for Westbrook but they might help us make the play-in.

Thank you for this. I feel like people want to trade just to make a trade. D'Angelo Russell I might think about if the price is right since he is having a solid season but overall will pass.

[TheHartBreakKid]

Lol Kyrie has demanded a trade from the Nets

[tdfoss1]

Lol Kyrie has demanded a trade from the Nets

This would be my #1 option.

[loveshaq786]

Lol Kyrie has demanded a trade from the Nets

This would be my #1 option.

why Brooklyn wants ayton is beyond me...

AD, beverly, Juan, jones .... Kyrie, claxton, Warren and seth

or Kyrie and seth.... for Westbrook, Jones, Juan and Two first

[zuju]

Everyone is focusing on kyrie. If kyrie leaves, KD is next unless an all star player come.

Maybe we can try a KD trade. Not on the expense of AD or LBJ imo.

The whole trade market may shake. There will be a lot more option than Kyrie.

Kyrie is so toxic that we have to avoid. If we really trade for him, what we can hope is LBJ can contain him and make him accountable to the team.

[DanishLakerFan]

Everyone is focusing on kyrie. If kyrie leaves, KD is next unless an all star player come.

Maybe we can try a KD trade. Not on the expense of AD or LBJ imo.

The whole trade market may shake. There will be a lot more option than Kyrie.

Kyrie is so toxic that we have to avoid. If we really trade for him, what we can hope is LBJ can contain him and make him accountable to the team.

One of the reasons why they should have traded for Myles and Buddy last summer is that it would allow the Lakers to potentially offer AD in a KD-trade.

At this point i just hope they do something. Kyrie has been fantastic this season and would be a huge upgrade.

[NCHeels2008]

I agree and it's been my stance all the way through. Even a simple Hayward for Westbrook swap would be better than doing nothing, because Hayward is less damaging in the playoffs (if we make it) and he can be flipped next season along with 3 picks for another piece.

A simple Hayward for Westbrook swap isn't an option. Rozier, Oubre, or Plummlee would need to be involved for salary cap purposed. Trading Russ without a playmaking/ball handling guard coming back would be a mistake imo. Leaving Lebron stranded with Schroder as the second best ball handler is a losing formula. I mean, we already tried that in 2021 and that didn't work out too well by any means.

If we are trading Russ, I would hope that someone like Rozier or Conley is coming back.

Theres a three team trade where we get Hayward, Mason Plumlee and Eric Gordon for Russ and Lonnie Walker IV. We get size, scoring, playmaking and Hayward can give you 30 minutes. Charlotte clears a bunch of capspace. I just can’t figure how to make it work for Houston. To make the salary work Houston needs to get Oubre, who’s a great tank commander but horrible for development. Maybe Charlotte adds in Kai Jones and or Bouknight, a couple seconds for a first round pick from Brooklyn, Milwaukee or Philadelphia’s via Houston.

Bouk is done in Charlotte and would be a great Monk-like flyer for LAL

[mcscotty]

This Kyrie situation could be another diversion tactic. Wouldn't be surprised if he signs a max extension with the Nets the day after the trade deadline.

[tamaraw08]

Everyone is focusing on kyrie. If kyrie leaves, KD is next unless an all star player come.

Maybe we can try a KD trade. Not on the expense of AD or LBJ imo.

The whole trade market may shake. There will be a lot more option than Kyrie.

Kyrie is so toxic that we have to avoid. If we really trade for him, what we can hope is LBJ can contain him and make him accountable to the team.

One of the reasons why they should have traded for Myles and Buddy last summer is that it would allow the Lakers to potentially offer AD in a KD-trade.

At this point i just hope they do something. Kyrie has been fantastic this season and would be a huge upgrade.

A Focused Kyrie is a huge upgrade indeed but he’s a ticking time bomb. It’s not a question of if but when, will he start having these crazy thoughts, missing multiple games for no valid reasons etc. Signing him long term is such a huge risk imo.
FVV is no Kyrie but he is still a good alternative and is a much stable one. Now that Rich Paul is his agent, Rob would have an idea if he would have in mind a reasonable contact in the future.

[wco81]

If Nets don't trade Kyrie by the deadline, will he sit out?

[loveshaq786]

If Nets don't trade Kyrie by the deadline, will he sit out?

It would be best if he asked for a buyout. that would be a dream scenario. that way we can throw the farm at KD. WESTBROOK and 2 unprotected firsts

[wco81]

Point is, Kyrie bailed on Lebron in Cleveland, bailed on the Celtics and now appear to be ready to bail on KD.

He gets a guaranteed $200 million contract, what's going to keep him from saying something stupid again, or just taking some games off?

And then eventually bailing on the Lakers?

He has a certain history.

[Pointgod]

Point is, Kyrie bailed on Lebron in Cleveland, bailed on the Celtics and now appear to be ready to bail on KD.

He gets a guaranteed $200 million contract, what's going to keep him from saying something stupid again, or just taking some games off?

And then eventually bailing on the Lakers?

He has a certain history.

It’s not only likely to happen it WILL happen because Kyrie is a self centred drama queen. The minute he signs that contract there’s literally nothing to stop him from disappearing from work for a week or offending some group with his idiotic musings. How do people forget this is second trade demand in less than a year? He tried before, didn’t get any takers and is now trying again.

[tleikheen]

In 31 games Kyrie's contract is DONE...... It isn't bailing out on the Nets when you're contract has run it's course. He missed games ,no doubt but he has been under contract for 4 yrs which will be done in 31 games . If KD's or Lebrons contract is finished and they sign on with another team ,it isnt bailing out on your former team.
For the games over his 4 yr run with Brooklyn ,Kyrie was close to 50/40/90 in shooting and still just 30 yrs old.

[wco81]

So if the Lakers give up the assets to get Kyrie, are they willing to commit $200 million fully guaranteed to him?

Forget about whether he would get the Lakers another title this season. He may but then he may get up to his usual shenanigans again in future years.