Whats the Lakers Next Step?

[Karmaloop]

But why in the world would Washington do this? Smart may be overpaid on his contract, but he is a more useful player than Vincent + Kleber.

I'm not saying the Wiz should do it, but Vincent has played in more games this past season than Smart did the last 2 seasons combined. Smart is the better player, but given his age that injury concerns more of a likely scenario.

[basketballwacko2]

Titles are typically won by having a Top 5 player in the NBA, and LeBron currently shares the court with a Top 5 player in the NBA. I doubt he wants to be traded.

OKC, Denver, and Milwaukee can't or won't trade for LeBron.

That's the issue for him and the lakers. I don't think they will put together a good enough team to get past Denver, OKC or Houston. The got beat in the first round in 2025. A lot will depend on health but I have to think OKC is the favorite to win the West again.

The contender teams don't have the pieces either to match salary or to give the Lakers picks.

IF he stays in LA which is most likely and they don't win the title I think he goes UFA and signs with Cleveland as a free agent in 2026-27 for a small amount and then retires.

I don't think LeBron is going to be playing in the NBA on a small amount of money. It simply isn't worth his time investment to commit to a full season at his age and get paid pennies on the dollar.

LeBron wants to be competitive and be paid top dollar for his services. Once he isn't paid close or at the Max, he is going to retire.

You're probably right about that his ego might not let him take a vet min contract even to go home to Cleveland and help them win a title again.

I don't think the Lakers can put a team on the floor even with LBJ and Luka that can beat OKC in a 7 game series assuming all are healthy. So this might be the last year for LBJ.

It seems to me if he wanted to help the Lakers win a title in 2025-26 he could have opted out and resigned for $30 million for 2 yrs that way he gets his money and the Lakers have the room to bring in enough talent to win.

[Dez]

Has anyone said waive Ayton? I'll give him 10 games before they want him shot out of a cannon.

[zimpy27]

Has anyone said waive Ayton? I'll give him 10 games before they want him shot out of a cannon.

I find that to be very unlikely. Blazers only waived him because they save $10m and have 4 other Centers for their timeline.

He'll be a fine C for the Lakers.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

That's the issue for him and the lakers. I don't think they will put together a good enough team to get past Denver, OKC or Houston. The got beat in the first round in 2025. A lot will depend on health but I have to think OKC is the favorite to win the West again.

The contender teams don't have the pieces either to match salary or to give the Lakers picks.

IF he stays in LA which is most likely and they don't win the title I think he goes UFA and signs with Cleveland as a free agent in 2026-27 for a small amount and then retires.

I don't think LeBron is going to be playing in the NBA on a small amount of money. It simply isn't worth his time investment to commit to a full season at his age and get paid pennies on the dollar.

LeBron wants to be competitive and be paid top dollar for his services. Once he isn't paid close or at the Max, he is going to retire.

You're probably right about that his ego might not let him take a vet min contract even to go home to Cleveland and help them win a title again.

I don't think the Lakers can put a team on the floor even with LBJ and Luka that can beat OKC in a 7 game series assuming all are healthy. So this might be the last year for LBJ.

It seems to me if he wanted to help the Lakers win a title in 2025-26 he could have opted out and resigned for $30 million for 2 yrs that way he gets his money and the Lakers have the room to bring in enough talent to win.

Goes against what he said a while ago. He will always take the most money he can get bc he feels like if he takes a dirk like pay cut other owners will try to use it as leverage against their stars. In his mind, he being a leader for other stars.

Age might eventually change his mind when he ready to retire.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Has anyone said waive Ayton? I'll give him 10 games before they want him shot out of a cannon.

Lakers had to play Alex Len , Jaxson Hayes. Lacked defensive rebounding and a lob threat. Ayton isn’t great but he tiers better than what lakers have and isn’t taking up a large chunk of salary space