KD to the Lakers

[Saberestar]

The Suns trade KD ($54M) to the Lakers for:

2031 unprotected FRP.
Rights to swap 2026, 2028 and 2030 FRPs.
2nd in 2025 (#55).

Austin Reaves ($14M, $15M)
Rui Hachimura ($18M expiring)
Vincent ($11M expiring)
Knetch ($4M, rookie contract)
Milton ($3M, salary filler)

Why for the Lakers?

They add KD to LeBron and Doncic and extend KD for two years. They want to go for the championship with that Big 3 in the next couple of years.

Why for the Suns?

They get solid draft capital and get a borderline All-Star player entering his prime in Reaves.

Hachimura is an starter level player who they can extend if they want him as a long-term piece.

Vincent can give them some depth at PG and/or can be used in a trade as an expiring

They can develop Knetch or trade him for frontcourt help. A good C is needed.

Thoughts?

[giberish]

The Lakers only played 5 guys the entire 2nd half. So they trade 2 starters and 2 of their more plausible bench guys while also pushing higher towards apron issues that will greatly limit any other additions they can make.

That might end up the thinnest roster in NBA history, and it's not like you can sanely expect a 41 yo LeBron and a 37 yo KD to be ironmen. Luka will have to be in shape and healthy all year long to drag them to the playoffs.

Of course it's not great for Phoenix either as the best player in return is a SG - the one position they've already got covered (and them some). The swaps are also not that likely to be useful as Luka should keep LAL above whatever Phoenix can do for the next several seasons.

[Saberestar]

The Lakers only played 5 guys the entire 2nd half. So they trade 2 starters and 2 of their more plausible bench guys while also pushing higher towards apron issues that will greatly limit any other additions they can make.

That might end up the thinnest roster in NBA history, and it's not like you can sanely expect a 41 yo LeBron and a 37 yo KD to be ironmen. Luka will have to be in shape and healthy all year long to drag them to the playoffs.

Of course it's not great for Phoenix either as the best player in return is a SG - the one position they've already got covered (and them some). The swaps are also not that likely to be useful as Luka should keep LAL above whatever Phoenix can do for the next several seasons.

Well, they have Vandervilt and DFS who can have bigger roles next season and you know that they can sign at least a couple of ring chasers that want to live in LA for the minimum.

KD and LeBron together at the end of their careers next to Luka can be a nice story.

[Texas Chuck]

I mean its just a big overpay is another issue besides the depth. You aren't getting an unprotected 1st, a recent 1st rounder, and 3 unprotected swaps on top of Reaves for an expiring Durant. And Rui is a starter on top of that.

Lower your expectations considerably.

[gswhoops]

Yeah this might be a board first - a "superstar to LA" trade where LA is vastly overpaying

[JustBuzzin]

Luka/LeBron/KD and no depth sounds like a disaster.


Would never happen. You can't pair Luka with a 41 and 37 year old LeBron/KD.

[ejftw]

Did Matt Ishiba become the owner of the Lakers overnight?

[Mrakar]

Lol Lakers fans acting like they wouldnt jump on this, but i guess that is the life when you used to getting everything for free...

[LightTheBeam]

Argue about the picks, i think its an overpay. But i think LA has to take a slightly less version of this immediately and figure the rest out later. Something like Kleber, Rui, reaves, knecht, shake, + some 2nds.

They will sign guys like capela, seth curry, dinwiddie for free this summer anyways.

Capela/hayes
Lebron/Vando
KD/DFS
Vincent/curry
Luka/dinwiddie

[vxmike]

I mean its just a big overpay is another issue besides the depth. You aren't getting an unprotected 1st, a recent 1st rounder, and 3 unprotected swaps on top of Reaves for an expiring Durant. And Rui is a starter on top of that.

Lower your expectations considerably.

How much are those swaps gonna be worth? Reaves and a bunch of filler isn’t gonna transform the Suns into a powerhouse. I have LAL as significantly more likely to have a higher pick those years.

[Astaluego]

Luka already looks uncomfortable and unnatural playing alongside an alpha, adding another one I think could make him hate the NBA and consider a return to Europe.

[Saberestar]

I mean its just a big overpay is another issue besides the depth. You aren't getting an unprotected 1st, a recent 1st rounder, and 3 unprotected swaps on top of Reaves for an expiring Durant. And Rui is a starter on top of that.

Lower your expectations considerably.

How much are those swaps gonna be worth? Reaves and a bunch of filler isn’t gonna transform the Suns into a powerhouse. I have LAL as significantly more likely to have a higher pick those years.

That’s what I think about those swaps.

2031 pick is actually the only draft capital that the Suns get in this deal. Those swaps probably will not be used because the Lakers with prime Doncic aren't gonna be a lottery team.

Rui Hachimura is a good player but he isn’t a deal breaker. With his high salary (as expiring or extended) and with Vando/DFS/LeBron/KD already to play SF/PF on the roster they will not need him.

[Texas Chuck]

I mean its just a big overpay is another issue besides the depth. You aren't getting an unprotected 1st, a recent 1st rounder, and 3 unprotected swaps on top of Reaves for an expiring Durant. And Rui is a starter on top of that.

Lower your expectations considerably.

How much are those swaps gonna be worth? Reaves and a bunch of filler isn’t gonna transform the Suns into a powerhouse. I have LAL as significantly more likely to have a higher pick those years.

Then take them out. But they are in there intentionally so I'm going to treat them as the liability for the Lakers they would be.

[jayjaysee]

Haven’t seen one LAL fan itt.

I think you could take out the 2031 first and it’s not that terrible for LA.

The swaps are actually some decent upside for Phoenix given how they’ve treated their own even year picks.. don’t think you need the 2030 swap either really..

And IMO being the Lakers and having Luka/LBJ/KD should attract some decent vet min depth to go around.

[Apz]

A good way to see luka walk next summer and have absolutely zero assets to build a team with. Wouldnt do it without any picks included. Big 3s are dead. Duos and atleast 5 starter level players is how u win today

[Saberestar]

I mean its just a big overpay is another issue besides the depth. You aren't getting an unprotected 1st, a recent 1st rounder, and 3 unprotected swaps on top of Reaves for an expiring Durant. And Rui is a starter on top of that.

Lower your expectations considerably.

How much are those swaps gonna be worth? Reaves and a bunch of filler isn’t gonna transform the Suns into a powerhouse. I have LAL as significantly more likely to have a higher pick those years.

Then take them out. But they are in there intentionally so I'm going to treat them as the liability for the Lakers they would be.

Well, those swaps are an small positive asset to sweat the deal for the Suns.

Obviously it has value and the swaps are needed to balance the trade but the possibility of being greats pick are a LONG long-shot.

[SlimShady83]

This would be worse trade of all time, even worse then Mavs trading Luka to Lakers...

Giannis on the other hand I'm good with.