Is an "all-in" Lakers team a contender? Trade ideas?

[babyjax13]

Simple question, if the Lakers cash in all their assets are they a contender, and what would it look like for them to do so?

I think LAL is potentially one of the more interesting stories this year - they have LeBron and AD, certainly a core of a high-level playoff team if James hasn't fallen off a cliff. But outside of that they have a very below-average supporting cast. They have some assets and moveable salaries, so what could they look like if they really made a push?

[JRoy]

What valuable trade assets do they have to offer?

[babyjax13]

What valuable trade assets do they have to offer?

Of stuff maybe on the table:

Valuable to all teams:
2028 pick swap
2029 LAL 1st
2030 pick swap
2031 LAL 1st

Valuable to most teams:
Dalton Knecht

Valuable to some teams:
Rui Hachimura
D'Angelo Russell

Marginal value:
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Jarred Vanderbilt

Valuable to Utah:
removing 1-4 protections on 2027 LAL 1st

Filler:
Gabe Vincent
Christian Wood
Jaxson Hayes (though they probably don't mind keeping)
Maxwell Lewis

Tradeable later and maybe valuable:
Max Christie


Probably not available but has value: Austin Reeves

[JRoy]

What valuable trade assets do they have to offer?

Of stuff maybe on the table:

Valuable to all teams:
2028 pick swap
2029 LAL 1st
2030 pick swap
2031 LAL 1st

Valuable to most teams:
Dalton Knecht

Valuable to some teams:
Rui Hachimura
D'Angelo Russell

Marginal value:
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Jarred Vanderbilt

Valuable to Utah:
removing 1-4 protections on 2027 LAL 1st

Filler:
Gabe Vincent
Christian Wood
Jaxson Hayes (though they probably don't mind keeping)
Maxwell Lewis

Tradeable later and maybe valuable:
Max Christie


Probably not available but has value: Austin Reeves

Mediocre assets. LAL could try to make a move for distressed assets that might succeed with a change of scenery.

[babyjax13]

What valuable trade assets do they have to offer?

Of stuff maybe on the table:

Valuable to all teams:
2028 pick swap
2029 LAL 1st
2030 pick swap
2031 LAL 1st

Valuable to most teams:
Dalton Knecht

Valuable to some teams:
Rui Hachimura
D'Angelo Russell

Marginal value:
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Jarred Vanderbilt

Valuable to Utah:
removing 1-4 protections on 2027 LAL 1st

Filler:
Gabe Vincent
Christian Wood
Jaxson Hayes (though they probably don't mind keeping)
Maxwell Lewis

Tradeable later and maybe valuable:
Max Christie


Probably not available but has value: Austin Reeves

Mediocre assets. LAL could try to make a move for distressed assets that might succeed with a change of scenery.

I don't think the picks are mediocre. But, I do think they are looking at guys like Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Jerami Grant, etc. as their best "high-end" targets.

[JRoy]

Of stuff maybe on the table:

Valuable to all teams:
2028 pick swap
2029 LAL 1st
2030 pick swap
2031 LAL 1st

Valuable to most teams:
Dalton Knecht

Valuable to some teams:
Rui Hachimura
D'Angelo Russell

Marginal value:
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Jarred Vanderbilt

Valuable to Utah:
removing 1-4 protections on 2027 LAL 1st

Filler:
Gabe Vincent
Christian Wood
Jaxson Hayes (though they probably don't mind keeping)
Maxwell Lewis

Tradeable later and maybe valuable:
Max Christie


Probably not available but has value: Austin Reeves

Mediocre assets. LAL could try to make a move for distressed assets that might succeed with a change of scenery.

I don't think the picks are mediocre. But, I do think they are looking at guys like Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Jerami Grant, etc. as their best "high-end" targets.

I am sure LAL would like those guys. Swaps are close to worthless, and the FRP have questionable value as a top FA destination.

[babyjax13]

Mediocre assets. LAL could try to make a move for distressed assets that might succeed with a change of scenery.

I don't think the picks are mediocre. But, I do think they are looking at guys like Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Jerami Grant, etc. as their best "high-end" targets.

I am sure LAL would like those guys. Swaps are close to worthless, and the FRP have questionable value as a top FA destination.

In the last 10 years the Lakers have missed the playoffs 6 times.

[JRoy]

I don't think the picks are mediocre. But, I do think they are looking at guys like Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Jerami Grant, etc. as their best "high-end" targets.

I am sure LAL would like those guys. Swaps are close to worthless, and the FRP have questionable value as a top FA destination.

In the last 10 years the Lakers have missed the playoffs 6 times.

Sure.

They also had an all time top 10 player sign in FA.

[babyjax13]

I am sure LAL would like those guys. Swaps are close to worthless, and the FRP have questionable value as a top FA destination.

In the last 10 years the Lakers have missed the playoffs 6 times.

Sure.

They also had an all time top 10 player sign in FA.

and immediately missed the playoffs, then won a championship in the bubble (still a championship, obviously),then almost missed the playoffs, then missed the playoffs again, then almost missed in every season since.

It is an unstable, poorly run organization that doesn't put together coherent teams. The wildcard is always free agency, but while they won a championship outside of that one good run the entire thing has been a failure that has missed the playoffs twice. They might miss them again this year, and they certainly don't have a bright post-LeBron future without some extremely good luck (that admittedly is more possible because they are Los Angeles).

[giberish]

In the last 10 years the Lakers have missed the playoffs 6 times.

Sure.

They also had an all time top 10 player sign in FA.

and immediately missed the playoffs, then won a championship in the bubble (still a championship, obviously),then almost missed the playoffs, then missed the playoffs again, then almost missed in every season since.

It is an unstable, poorly run organization that doesn't put together coherent teams. The wildcard is always free agency, but while they won a championship outside of that one good run the entire thing has been a failure that has missed the playoffs twice. They might miss them again this year, and they certainly don't have a bright post-LeBron future without some extremely good luck (that admittedly is more possible because they are Los Angeles).

Perhaps the most relevant is the post-Kobe run than involved a bunch of lotto picks and 3 straight #2 picks. Any elite players looking to change teams are going to want a stockpile of youth/picks/assets to add other guys. It will take the Lakers a while to get that.

Of course this is also why the Lakers should be careful about not shipping out those future 1sts - especially for guy who really aren't difference-makers like Grant or LaVine.

Granted LaVine should be gettable for just matching salary, but that probably doesn't help the Lakers as the resulting team ends up with major depth issues.

[babyjax13]

Sure.

They also had an all time top 10 player sign in FA.

and immediately missed the playoffs, then won a championship in the bubble (still a championship, obviously),then almost missed the playoffs, then missed the playoffs again, then almost missed in every season since.

It is an unstable, poorly run organization that doesn't put together coherent teams. The wildcard is always free agency, but while they won a championship outside of that one good run the entire thing has been a failure that has missed the playoffs twice. They might miss them again this year, and they certainly don't have a bright post-LeBron future without some extremely good luck (that admittedly is more possible because they are Los Angeles).

Perhaps the most relevant is the post-Kobe run than involved a bunch of lotto picks and 3 straight #2 picks. Any elite players looking to change teams are going to want a stockpile of youth/picks/assets to add other guys. It will take the Lakers a while to get that.

Of course this is also why the Lakers should be careful about not shipping out those future 1sts - especially for guy who really aren't difference-makers like Grant or LaVine.

Granted LaVine should be gettable for just matching salary, but that probably doesn't help the Lakers as the resulting team ends up with major depth issues.

Which is why the thought experiment is interesting, I'm not sure I see a path with their assets to be a contender, so it might make sense to do as they are and just be a play-in team till LeBron retires.

[zimpy27]

Yes they can be a championship team or top 3 favourite this season with moves and health.

[psman2]

Yes they can be a championship team or top 3 favourite this season with moves and health.

Well what moves? That is what OP wants to explore.

[Godaddycurse]

I think they may try to do what the mavs did last trade deadline if the team is healthy and in playoff hunt. ie add a C and defender

[zimpy27]

Yes they can be a championship team or top 3 favourite this season with moves and health.

Well what moves? That is what OP wants to explore.

I think one of Ingram or Butler as a target to join Reaves, Christie, LeBron, Davis.

You then need to work out your bench depending on what you give up for Ingram or Butler but that's the first move.

[jbk1234]

Not really sure why Reaves is off the table here. As a part time starter, he averaged 12 ppg on meh efficiency and his defense is only passable in the regular season. His career stats are right there too. He's already 26.

[SkyHook]

Yes they can be a championship team or top 3 favourite this season with moves and health.

I applaud your optimism, but I just don't see it. I'm picking them as a play-in at best team for yet another season. LBJ & AD were both the healthiest they've been in years last season and it wasn't remotely enough. They have some assets, but I'm not sure that I'd classify any of them as stellar. I just don't see a potential move that makes them into a contender.

[zimpy27]

Not really sure why Reaves is off the table here. As a part time starter, he averaged 12 ppg on meh efficiency and his defense is only passable in the regular season. His career stats are right there too. He's already 26.

Because he's more valuable to a team trying to contend than not given that he is 26, point is to improve the Lakers. He's a locked in starter.

[SkyHook]

Yes they can be a championship team or top 3 favourite this season with moves and health.

Well what moves? That is what OP wants to explore.

I think one of Ingram or Butler as a target to join Reaves, Christie, LeBron, Davis.

You then need to work out your bench depending on what you give up for Ingram or Butler but that's the first move.

I'd be interested to see what a potential Ingram or Butler looks like to you. I played around with it a bit and don't see a deal to satisfy NOP or MIA.

[psman2]

Not really sure why Reaves is off the table here. As a part time starter, he averaged 12 ppg on meh efficiency and his defense is only passable in the regular season. His career stats are right there too. He's already 26.

I think efficiency is his strength --.613 TS% last year and .633 for his career is not something I would describe as meh efficiency for a guard.

I think if a real star is on the table then he would be for sure available if desired and needed to make the deal work. Likely won't be needed to land the Ingram type of star.