RealGM

Who Should the Lakers Be Targeting now?

Need at least 1 center, if not 2 centers

Need a Christie replacement

Salaries to work with:
Rui (17M)
Kleber (11M)
Vincent (11M)
Knecht (4M)
Vet mins (2.5-3m)

I dont see DFS, Vando, or Reaves being moved.

Christie replacement:

Lonzo: Not worth the injury risk imo at this point I think
NaW: I think he is my favorite target to replace Max
Keon Ellis: Maybe a bit too short, but a solid player.
KCP: Having a horrible season, maybe worth buying low if it only costs Rui and a 2nd?
Caleb Martin: Meh

Centers: Need a lob threat
Kessler: Not sure if Utah really cares for our pics anymore, but would move Knecht, 31 1st, unprotect 27, and a swap in 28 for Kessler though
Capela: Most logical/realistic. Rui to a team like Chi who may want a shot at him for a 2nd or so to Atl. And we send a 2nd and a swap? I dont think hes worth a 1st, unless we get some 2nds back
Claxton: Would be great, except I would be a bit worried when we play Jokic. Too skinny. But besides Jokic matchup, maybe the best guy available
RW3: Too much of an injury risk at this point. If we get another 1 of these cheaper $ centers, then maybe I consider it
Jakob: Not enough of a veritcal threat, pass
Day'ron Sharpe: Not really a vertical threat, but more than Jakob and should cost less and makes less $
Myles Turner: Same as Utah, I dont see it realistically




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I think John Collins would be intriguing … yes I know he doesn’t solve defensive issue but offensively a Reaves-Luka-LeBron-Finney Smith-Collins lineup would be pretty awesome.

Not a lob threat but Vucevic just had a triple double today, willing passer, 3 point range, has good hands and instincts. Expires in 2026 so he doesn't mess up cap room going forward.

Targeting = Kessler, Turner, Poeltl top 3, after that, Capella, Day'Ron Sharp?.

Lakers are saying no to Vuc and Jonas

Playoff rotation breakdown...

18 mins: Reaves, Luka, LeBron
10 mins: Reaves, Luka
10 mins: Luka, LeBron
10 mins: Reaves, LeBron


They need 78 minutes of perimeter defense. DFS, Vando, Vincent, Reddish, Kleber, Bronny are their perimeter defense options. They probably can get enough from that to be ok but not great.

The real issue is that they need 48 minutes of production from C. They only have guys that can cover 20 minutes at best and it's not great defense you're getting.

They need to trade Rui for a starting C. Ideally an elite roll man and rim protector.

nzahir wrote:Who Should the Lakers Be Targeting now?

Kessler: Not sure if Utah really cares for our pics anymore, but would move Knecht, 31 1st, unprotect 27, and a swap in 28 for

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Moves like today are exactly why I don’t want to trade with LA or value anything coming from them the way I would with other teams. LA can always get free agents and either GM’s are stupid when they deal with LA or the league is rigged. Either way, I don’t value a FRP from LA anywhere near other teams. So if I was Ainge I would say it’s unprotect 27 pick, unprotected 31st pick, three swaps, and a couple seconds.

In reality this would probably result in 1-2 swaps that aren’t more than moving up 2-5 spots and the 31st pick. Which LA will have built around Luka in 27-28 and have a great team for years to come. So my offer above would be the minimum and I wouldn’t budge. And LA would balk.

Just don’t see a Kessler deal happening.

If the idea is to reorganize around Luka and taking into account the theoretically available players... Nic Claxton is the perfect center... He makes too much money, especially for a rebuilding team and without an elite playmaker who can get the most out of him, I guess it should be achievable.

LAKERS
In:Claxton/Agbaji
Out: Hachimura/Maxi/Knecht/Lakers 2031(Unpro)

NETS
In: Hachimura/Maxi/Knecht/Lakers31(Unpro)
Out:Claxton/Watford/KeonJ/Houston 25(#27)/SRP(Raptors)

They could send Hachimura to the Hawks for the expiration Zeller/Nance/SRP

RAPTORS
In:KeonJ/Watford/Houston 25(#27)
Out:Agbaji/SRP

LAKERS
In: Claxton/Agbaji
Out: Hachimura/Maxi/Knecht/FRP 31

Luka/Reaves/DFS/Brown/Claxton
Vincent/Milton/Agbaji/Reddish/Vandervilt

Lakers should probably trade for Wembanyama now.

Could offer Rui Hachimura + 1 FRP.

This Balances the roster nicely.

Luka
Kleber (11M)
Vincent (11M)

for Giannis