NIC CLAXTON has to be the Lakers next move, right?

[Karmaloop]

Goga is their answer....ORL desperately needs playmaking and shooting, so would compromise their starting C and hope to work on the C spot in the summer.

ORL sends: Goga, Jett Howard
LAL sends: Reaves, Knecht

I've got Reaves as substantially more valuable than Goga. Not throwing in Knecht for the hell of it.

[Skybox]

Goga is their answer....ORL desperately needs playmaking and shooting, so would compromise their starting C and hope to work on the C spot in the summer.

ORL sends: Goga, Jett Howard
LAL sends: Reaves, Knecht

I've got Reaves as substantially more valuable than Goga. Not throwing in Knecht for the hell of it.

I disagree.... Goga's defensive rating is exceptional (particularly at the rim) and he's a very willing screener, offensive rebounder, and sure handed drop-off finisher...and getting better all the time. Reaves is an awful defender but offers good, not elite, playmaking and shooting. Given the Magic's dependence on Paolo & Franz as the primary playmakers, Reaves might be enough of an offensive player to lift the backcourt. I would guess that Goga, doing well playing with 2 good young frontcourt playmakers will look even better playing with the 2 BEST frontcourt playmakers (other than Jokic). Goga's got 2 more years on a descending deal ($9m, 8.3, 7.6), Reaves is only under team control for this year and next ($12.9, 13.9) followed by a Player Option. Their relative value is certainly debatable, given Reaves' upping his scoring numbers this year, but I think fit is a big factor in this one. Both would likely look even better. With the addition of Luka, Reaves' contributions would likely be compromised a bit...In ORL, he'd get a lot of touches and open shots, like he presently does in LAL.

I guess Knecht's addition (minus Jett's promise - he's still 2 years younger) is a lot to ask. I'd add DEN 25 frp or 2 srps or offer you Anthony Black instead of Jett.

or, just Goga and Cory Joseph for Reaves and Hayes?

[vincecarter4pres]

That was one of my first thoughts, after processing this insane blockbuster. LA is gonna hunt for a defensive C.

Personally, I don't like receiving Vincent or Hachimura due to their contracts, Brooklyn is trying to free up as much 2025 capspace as possible. But if we can route them to a 3rd team for an expiring, Knecht would be decent enough return for me. Otherwise, you can have Sharpe and a 2nd for Knecht, although some minor outgoing salary for LAL is needed.

I don’t know Brooklyn is trying to free up that much ‘25 cap and if they are it’s only to absorb bad expiring salary this summer for asset collection.

‘26 is the year they’re probably hoping to strike in some fashion.

[drchaos]

That was one of my first thoughts, after processing this insane blockbuster. LA is gonna hunt for a defensive C.

Personally, I don't like receiving Vincent or Hachimura due to their contracts, Brooklyn is trying to free up as much 2025 capspace as possible. But if we can route them to a 3rd team for an expiring, Knecht would be decent enough return for me. Otherwise, you can have Sharpe and a 2nd for Knecht, although some minor outgoing salary for LAL is needed.

I don’t know Brooklyn is trying to free up that much ‘25 cap and if they are it’s only to absorb bad expiring salary this summer for asset collection.

‘26 is the year they’re probably hoping to strike in some fashion.

The Nets are trying to keep maximum flexibility including the cap space available this Summer.

At this point it really would seem wiser to take on salaries that expire in 2026 if that means getting more assets.

[nykballa2k4]

So Lakers desperately need a defensive C now.


Guys like Valanciunas aren’t good defensively, but Nic Claxton makes the obvious sense. Nets are willing to forego short term winning.


Something like:

Knecht + 1st + Christie + salaries (Gabe/Vando).
For
Nic Claxton + Watford


What permutation makes the most sense?

I think Kleber can be re-traded within 24 hours then after that not until the offseason.
Kleber, Gabe, Rui is over 30M and can cover Ayton or Claxton

[dcstanley]

I didn't realize that they traded the 2029 1st. Yeah, they could, but then that would be it and Claxton isn't single handedly saving their defense. There's no one presently on the roster who's a plus defender.

DFS, Vanderbilt, and Vincent are all plus defenders

At one time in their respective careers, yes, but to say there's been some slippage is to be charitable.

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Vando is averaging 8 steals per 36 since his return lol. They're all above average defenders for their position. Vando and Vincent are back-end rotation guys because of their poor shooting while DFS is an adequate starting wing.