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So after the Ayton signing, whats the Lakers next step?

They have the BAE left
They can also trade Rui+2 expirings in Gabe and Kleber, Vando, Knecht, 1st, swaps

They need a 1/2 or a 2/3 defensive minded guy who can also play offense

Realistic candidates:
KCP
Thybulle
Wiggins
Marcus Smart

Non realistic/would cost AR/other team pulls a Nico:
Derrick White
Herb Jones

Any other names I am missing?

well they certainly need another big - not sure who that'll be though

IMO, I like the idea of LeBron to Dallas and I think it rounds out both teams pretty well. Probably not this exactly, but something like:

LAL trades: LeBron
DAL trades: Washington, Gafford, Martin, Hardy, 2029 LAL 1st

DAL
Davis/Lively
LeBron/Davis
Flagg/Marshall
Christie/Klay/Exum
Russell/Williams

And if Kyrie is back in time for the playoffs I think they are a real contender (which I don't think that without LeBron)

Davis/Lively
LeBron/Davis
Flagg/Marshall
Klay/Christie/Exum
Irving/Russell/Williams

For LAL it gets them an actual starting 5 instead of having to rely on Ayton and ... Hachimura?

Gafford/Ayton
Washington/Hachimura/Kleber
LaRavia/Martin
Luka/Knecht/Hardy
Reaves/Vincent

They could follow up with something like flipping Kleber/Vincent/29 1st for Wiggins, or some other wing.

Nothing. They are already perfect.

If someone will offer real value for LeBron then I'd deal him. Extend Luka whenever they can.

I don't see a way to get to contender status this season, but there are lots worse positions than resetting around Luka.

Ideally, LeBron to NY.

Realistically, sign Horford to BAE and Melton to Min

Trading lebron seems like wasting a year of Luka to me. Lakers ended 3rd last season . Don't see why they couldn't win more if they go all on a wing defender.

Smart , KCP, Wiggins would be my targets. See what team stumbles and make trade into the season if no targets avaialbe.

Reaves | Gabe
Luka | Knecht
LeBron | LaRavia
Rui | Vando
Ayton | Kleber

Bench: Bronny, Goodwin, Thiero


Lakers gave BAE to use.

Offer Blazers ... Maxi and SRP for Robert Williams

Offer Horford the BAE at $5M

This exception can also be used in trades for players making up to $5.1m

Maybe target Nick Richards & save PHX some money

Trade for Kevin Love if Horford doesn't sign? Duop Reath?

Send the pick or swaps with the exception/Miltons expiring for a young cheap wing like the Champagnie's or Ben Sheppard

Make us a Smart offer then. Washington doesn't have him in their plans except as an expiring vet mentor.

babyjax13 wrote:IMO, I like the idea of LeBron to Dallas and I think it rounds out both teams pretty well. Probably not this exactly, but something like:

LAL trades: LeBron
DAL trades: Washington, Gafford, Martin, Hardy, 2029 LAL 1st

DAL
Davis/Lively
LeBron/Davis
Flagg/Marshall
Christie/Klay/Exum
Russell/Williams

And if Kyrie is back in time for the playoffs I think they are a real contender (which I don't think that without LeBron)

Davis/Lively
LeBron/Davis
Flagg/Marshall
Klay/Christie/Exum
Irving/Russell/Williams

For LAL it gets them an actual starting 5 instead of having to rely on Ayton and ... Hachimura?

Gafford/Ayton
Washington/Hachimura/Kleber
LaRavia/Martin
Luka/Knecht/Hardy
Reaves/Vincent

They could follow up with something like flipping Kleber/Vincent/29 1st for Wiggins, or some other wing.

The thing is, Lebron has to agree to go to Dallas.

penbeast0 wrote:Make us a Smart offer then. Washington doesn't have him in their plans except as an expiring vet mentor.

If you're angling for any legitimate assets, you're not going to get it. Coming off a season in which he played in 34 games (54 in the last 2 seasons) and due almost $22M, he's closer to a buyout candidate than a player who is bringing anything back.

The problem is what does LA do to fit his salary in; I'd trade him into a TPE for a 2nd. But if we are swapping expirings, then it either has to be another good defense high character guy. If he's salary ballast for taking on someone less valuable then there has to be compensation for that. That's why I said to the guy who said bring in Smart to make an offer. I don't really see anything there that works well.

Send Gabe, Maxi and Milton to the Jazz for Collins. Send Rui to the Bulls for Ayo and Smith. Send Ayo to the Magic for Goga, Sign Coffee with the BAE and Melton to the vet min.

Doncic/Melton/Goodwin
Reaves/Coffee/Brony
LaRavia/Knecht/Thiaro
LaBron/Collins
Ayton/Goga/Smith

penbeast0 wrote:The problem is what does LA do to fit his salary in; I'd trade him into a TPE for a 2nd. But if we are swapping expirings, then it either has to be another good defense high character guy. If he's salary ballast for taking on someone less valuable then there has to be compensation for that. That's why I said to the guy who said bring in Smart to make an offer. I don't really see anything there that works well.

I mean, Vincent plus Kleber works pretty much straight up for Smart. Wiz add an additional 913k on their salary, but that's pretty insignificant and probably could be covered with cash if they wanted/needed. If Wiz want something back involving Smart, it's going to need to be them taking back long-term money. So a team could acquire Vincent and/or Kleber, and the 3rd team sends a bad contract and pick(s) back to Washington.

Sign Marvin Bagley for frontcourt depth

Lakers would give SRP for Smart

One_and_Done wrote:The thing is, Lebron has to agree to go to Dallas.

He's been tied to Dallas since at least 2023. But part of that was almost certainly Luka who he talked about for years as being his favorite player in the league. Obviously Kyrie/AD are also players he's wanted to play with.

I think if he was serious about leaving Dallas is probably as logical a spot as anywhere, but I don't really think he's leaving LA.

Just looking at the current Lakers' roster as currently constructed.

PG: Luka Doncic / Gabe Vincent / Bronny James
SG: Austin Reaves / Shake Milton / Jordan Goodwin
SF: LeBron James / Jake LaRavia / Dalton Knecht
PF: Rui Hachimura / Jarred Vanderbilt / Maxi Kleber
C: DeAndre Ayton

Clearly, the Lakers could use more size so I'd guess they probably are short one more big man. I think they're going to shop their expiring (Vincent, Milton, and Kleber) for whatever useful vet they can get that has a 2nd year on their contract. I think their ideal target would be Andrew Wiggins, but if the Heat continue to insist on Dalton Knecht or a FRP in return for him, they'll pivot elsewhere. Ideally, I think they're looking for a wing defender preferably one with a reliable jump shot. I could see them pivoting to someone like John Collins, but I can't imagine they'd give up much more than a SRP to acquire him. After that, I'd venture a guess they'll just go veteran minimum shopping. Guys like Melton, CP3, etc. will probably be discussed.