Official Build around Luka thread for Lakers.

[SlimShady83]

Note: This thread is just about building around Luka and being realistic as possible and this just a starting point, feel free to adjust trades mentioned or find some FA's as well - This Is Lakers board, not general board, be respectful thanks.

Note: I'm using spotrac for all trades and they all work, whether other teams would be keen or not I'm unsure and some may need pics to be include for what pics Lakers have left. Also not sure about using Knecht on Spotrac if you trade Knecht this puts Lakers In 2nd apron - except the Utah trade?

Many fans think KD OR Giannis are the answers, I'm ok with Giannis, but going all in on KD would be wrong choice IMO, I'm also looking for younger and longterm - pair with Luka, his 25/6


*** It's time to build around Luka, with a FULL OFFSEASON (more time might be needed) 1 things for sure Is, Lakers need BIGS.


* Utah. Most of you who know me and my posts, I'm still and always will be high on Kessler/Collins combo

- The biggest problem here Is, will Ainge ever deal with Lakers again and I say Yes for the right price.

They've expressed Interest In; Knecht/Reaves In the past so why now now?

To get just Collins you need Rui = srps, but to get Kessler as well, I think you'll need both Reaves/Knecht 1 frp

Trade 1: Utah/Lakers

Kessler/Collins
Rui, Reaves, Knecht - May or maynot need FRP or SRPs

Trade 2: Blazers/Lakers

Rui, Gabe, Vando
Deandre Ayton

Might need to Include FRP or SRPs to get him, I like Ayton and think him being on a new team fresh new start could do wonders for him

Por: Get rid of of huge contract In Ayton and something decent In return.

I'm also Intrigued with RB3

Hayes, Reaves for RB3 gets It done? I'm not sure about this just something that worked on spotrac.

Trade 3: Lakers/Magic

Reaves
Wendell Carter Jr

Straight swap works, but knowing how desperate Lakers are Magic might want FRP or srp's?? maybe even have to include Knecht In the trade.


Honerable mentions go to; Myles Turner (long shot), Nic Claxton (don't want too much), Jakob Poeltl his a long, long shot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NBA Free Agent list 2025 https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2025


Players I'm intrigued with are as follows not all centers

* Steven Adams UFA/Bird * Kelly Oubre Jr Player/$8.4 *Jake LaRavia UFA/Bird * Dwight Powell Player/$4.0 * Day'Ron Sharpe RFA/Bird

[ROballer]

Nobody is trading sh$te for longterm contracts, let's just get that out of the way right now.

Team is too well positioned for next years(2026) free agent class.

You only have an extended Luka(hopefully) and Vanderbilt at 12-13 mil PER(easily tradeable contract) for the 2026-2027 season.
Hopefully the Lebron era ends with one more season next season. And you can finally REALLY rebuild in one years time.

Durant
Trae Young
Lavine
Irving
Harden
Ayton
Beal
Lillard
VanVleet
Fox
McCollum
Porzingis
Randle
Jaren Jackson
Collins
Bridges
Powell
Reid
Robert Williams
Portis

+ many more others as well.


What will happen this offseason is getting a couple of bodies on a 1 year deals at most. See the Capela likes or something like that.
Not a huge move whatsoever. You don't give up the cap flexibility for anything less than home run deals.

[Beethoven]

Can we not mention/bring up ayton in all of this? The dude is a loser mentally.
Thanks.

[Apz]

Durant 36
Trae Young 26
Lavine 30
Irving 33
Harden 35
Ayton 26
Beal 31
Lillard 34
VanVleet 31
Fox 27
McCollum 33
Porzingis 29
Randle 30
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Powell 31
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27
Portis 30

Start with removing everyone 30+:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Porzingis 29
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27

Next remove injury prone:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

After that remove those that just doesnt fit:

Ayton 26
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

Now its down to 5. Ayton just doesnt have what it takes. Collins is nothing special. Bridges is just a roleplayer. Same basicly goes to Reid.

So we are down to:

Jaren Jackson 25

Personally I doubt Memphis lets him go. If I were memphis i would let go off Ja before JJJ.

I think the first issue is that I dont see how u get Luka to resign. Lakers just lack assets imo to sell a future for him at Lakers

[LakerPhan]

I'd love to see the Greek Freak here at ANY cost!

Obviously we need a better center as well

I'll leave the trades to the Laker Brass...

[JRoy]

Note: This thread is just about building around Luka and being realistic as possible and this just a starting point, feel free to adjust trades mentioned or find some FA's as well - This Is Lakers board, not general board, be respectful thanks.

Note: I'm using spotrac for all trades and they all work, whether other teams would be keen or not I'm unsure and some may need pics to be include for what pics Lakers have left. Also not sure about using Knecht on Spotrac if you trade Knecht this puts Lakers In 2nd apron - except the Utah trade?

Many fans think KD OR Giannis are the answers, I'm ok with Giannis, but going all in on KD would be wrong choice IMO, I'm also looking for younger and longterm - pair with Luka, his 25/6


*** It's time to build around Luka, with a FULL OFFSEASON (more time might be needed) 1 things for sure Is, Lakers need BIGS.


* Utah. Most of you who know me and my posts, I'm still and always will be high on Kessler/Collins combo

- The biggest problem here Is, will Ainge ever deal with Lakers again and I say Yes for the right price.

They've expressed Interest In; Knecht/Reaves In the past so why now now?

To get just Collins you need Rui = srps, but to get Kessler as well, I think you'll need both Reaves/Knecht 1 frp

Trade 1: Utah/Lakers

Kessler/Collins
Rui, Reaves, Knecht - May or maynot need FRP or SRPs

Trade 2: Blazers/Lakers

Rui, Gabe, Vando
Deandre Ayton

Might need to Include FRP or SRPs to get him, I like Ayton and think him being on a new team fresh new start could do wonders for him

Por: Get rid of of huge contract In Ayton and something decent In return.

I'm also Intrigued with RB3

Hayes, Reaves for RB3 gets It done? I'm not sure about this just something that worked on spotrac.

Trade 3: Lakers/Magic

Reaves
Wendell Carter Jr

Straight swap works, but knowing how desperate Lakers are Magic might want FRP or srp's?? maybe even have to include Knecht In the trade.


Honerable mentions go to; Myles Turner (long shot), Nic Claxton (don't want too much), Jakob Poeltl his a long, long shot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NBA Free Agent list 2025 https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2025


Players I'm intrigued with are as follows not all centers

* Steven Adams UFA/Bird * Kelly Oubre Jr Player/$8.4 *Jake LaRavia UFA/Bird * Dwight Powell Player/$4.0 * Day'Ron Sharpe RFA/Bird

Pass for POR.

Those are just bad contracts. DA expires this time next year. Better to just let him walk, since there is no incentive to do otherwise.

[danfantastk32]

Nobody is trading sh$te for longterm contracts, let's just get that out of the way right now.

Team is too well positioned for next years(2026) free agent class.

You only have an extended Luka(hopefully) and Vanderbilt at 12-13 mil PER(easily tradeable contract) for the 2026-2027 season.
Hopefully the Lebron era ends with one more season next season. And you can finally REALLY rebuild in one years time.

What will happen this offseason is getting a couple of bodies on a 1 year deals at most. See the Capela likes or something like that.
Not a huge move whatsoever. You don't give up the cap flexibility for anything less than home run deals.

Totally correct that that's what we need to do. Will we? I fear Jeanie is still thinking "one more with Lebron"....which is foolish.

We need to wait, unless it's a home run, like you said. We don't need "pieces" we need a new core. Let's just hope our FO agrees.

[stan francisco]

Durant 36
Trae Young 26
Lavine 30
Irving 33
Harden 35
Ayton 26
Beal 31
Lillard 34
VanVleet 31
Fox 27
McCollum 33
Porzingis 29
Randle 30
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Powell 31
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27
Portis 30

Start with removing everyone 30+:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Porzingis 29
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27

Next remove injury prone:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

After that remove those that just doesnt fit:

Ayton 26
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

Now its down to 5. Ayton just doesnt have what it takes. Collins is nothing special. Bridges is just a roleplayer. Same basicly goes to Reid.

So we are down to:

Jaren Jackson 25

Personally I doubt Memphis lets him go. If I were memphis i would let go off Ja before JJJ.

I think the first issue is that I dont see how u get Luka to resign. Lakers just lack assets imo to sell a future for him at Lakers

I agree we should try to get JJJ to man our PF spot after Bron retires.

Until then, why limit the list to who is reasonably available? Let’s just ‘build’ the dream team around Luka in principle / theory and then do all we can to fill each spot with the best such player available.

Needs (not necessarily who’s available):
• The four other players must be great defenders, and must be switchable!

• A PG like Smart would be perfect next to Luka.

• If Knecht gets strong enough on defense he’d be the perfect SF next to Luka.

• A switchable elite 3&D PF like JJJ would be the perfect PF.

• A defensive beast rebounder who plays transition defense and is a lob threat at C, or a stretch C would work (as long as they clean the defensive glass), and we’re done.

All four around Luka need to be elite defenders because he’s just not. All four need to pack a shot from three. All four need to have balls enough to challenge Luka. All four will need to move well off of the ball. All four need to not bitch too much to the refs. All four must be coachable, or Luka won’t be.

Redick needs to take the blame for the first round loss because of no defense. It all starts and ends with defense.

Just see LAL-MIN series. Defense won the series. How will Redick react? Double down on offense? Or will he learn? This will dictate how we do over the next five years.

[Apz]

Durant 36
Trae Young 26
Lavine 30
Irving 33
Harden 35
Ayton 26
Beal 31
Lillard 34
VanVleet 31
Fox 27
McCollum 33
Porzingis 29
Randle 30
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Powell 31
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27
Portis 30

Start with removing everyone 30+:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Porzingis 29
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27

Next remove injury prone:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

After that remove those that just doesnt fit:

Ayton 26
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

Now its down to 5. Ayton just doesnt have what it takes. Collins is nothing special. Bridges is just a roleplayer. Same basicly goes to Reid.

So we are down to:

Jaren Jackson 25

Personally I doubt Memphis lets him go. If I were memphis i would let go off Ja before JJJ.

I think the first issue is that I dont see how u get Luka to resign. Lakers just lack assets imo to sell a future for him at Lakers

I agree we should try to get JJJ to man our PF spot after Bron retires.

Until then, why limit the list to who is reasonably available? Let’s just ‘build’ the dream team around Luka in principle / theory and then do all we can to fill each spot with the best such player available.

Needs (not necessarily who’s available):
• The four other players must be great defenders, and must be switchable!

• A PG like Smart would be perfect next to Luka.

• If Knecht gets strong enough on defense he’d be the perfect SF next to Luka.

• A switchable elite 3&D PF like JJJ would be the perfect PF.

• A defensive beast rebounder who plays transition defense and is a lob threat at C, or a stretch C would work (as long as they clean the defensive glass), and we’re done.

All four around Luka need to be elite defenders because he’s just not. All four need to pack a shot from three. All four need to have balls enough to challenge Luka. All four will need to move well off of the ball. All four need to not bitch too much to the refs. All four must be coachable, or Luka won’t be.

Redick needs to take the blame for the first round loss because of no defense. It all starts and ends with defense.

Just see LAL-MIN series. Defense won the series. How will Redick react? Double down on offense? Or will he learn? This will dictate how we do over the next five years.

A modificated truth. Twolves players got blown by just as much as lakers, just that they actually had a center. You cant really stop todays players on the perimeter, you can just make them go in the direction your team wants into whatever your plan is. Mavs did just that last year and had amazing defense with both luka and kyrie on the floor. But without an anchor it will be an easy basket every time, if u dont have a center it never gets punished to drive to the basket.

Luka is pretty medium on defense, but he is big and high iq so he can steer guys. Without a center there is just no way to steer them. Lakers biggest issue is that when they get a center, lebron no longer can rest at the C spot in defense.

And as i said, do luka see a longterm future at lakers if u spend what little u got on over the hill players like smart and the likes? I doubt that. Easier to just play out the season and sign with spurs and voila, he got a championship contending team around him.

[sonnyhill]

How about incorporating some Mike D'Antoni concepts and build the roster to resemble D'Antoni's former Rocket teams? Luka is a younger, bigger, and better version of James Harden and would thrive in that system.

As for defense...

The team might be better off surrounding Luka with "switchable" wing players than bringing in a traditional post player.

[Beethoven]

Durant 36
Trae Young 26
Lavine 30
Irving 33
Harden 35
Ayton 26
Beal 31
Lillard 34
VanVleet 31
Fox 27
McCollum 33
Porzingis 29
Randle 30
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Powell 31
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27
Portis 30

Start with removing everyone 30+:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Porzingis 29
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25
Robert Williams 27

Next remove injury prone:

Trae Young 26
Ayton 26
Fox 27
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

After that remove those that just doesnt fit:

Ayton 26
Jaren Jackson 25
Collins 27
Bridges 28
Reid 25

Now its down to 5. Ayton just doesnt have what it takes. Collins is nothing special. Bridges is just a roleplayer. Same basicly goes to Reid.

So we are down to:

Jaren Jackson 25

Personally I doubt Memphis lets him go. If I were memphis i would let go off Ja before JJJ.

I think the first issue is that I dont see how u get Luka to resign. Lakers just lack assets imo to sell a future for him at Lakers

I agree we should try to get JJJ to man our PF spot after Bron retires.

Until then, why limit the list to who is reasonably available? Let’s just ‘build’ the dream team around Luka in principle / theory and then do all we can to fill each spot with the best such player available.

Needs (not necessarily who’s available):
• The four other players must be great defenders, and must be switchable!

• A PG like Smart would be perfect next to Luka.

• If Knecht gets strong enough on defense he’d be the perfect SF next to Luka.

• A switchable elite 3&D PF like JJJ would be the perfect PF.

• A defensive beast rebounder who plays transition defense and is a lob threat at C, or a stretch C would work (as long as they clean the defensive glass), and we’re done.

All four around Luka need to be elite defenders because he’s just not. All four need to pack a shot from three. All four need to have balls enough to challenge Luka. All four will need to move well off of the ball. All four need to not bitch too much to the refs. All four must be coachable, or Luka won’t be.

Redick needs to take the blame for the first round loss because of no defense. It all starts and ends with defense.

Just see LAL-MIN series. Defense won the series. How will Redick react? Double down on offense? Or will he learn? This will dictate how we do over the next five years.

A modificated truth. Twolves players got blown by just as much as lakers, just that they actually had a center. You cant really stop todays players on the perimeter, you can just make them go in the direction your team wants into whatever your plan is. Mavs did just that last year and had amazing defense with both luka and kyrie on the floor. But without an anchor it will be an easy basket every time, if u dont have a center it never gets punished to drive to the basket.

Luka is pretty medium on defense, but he is big and high iq so he can steer guys. Without a center there is just no way to steer them. Lakers biggest issue is that when they get a center, lebron no longer can rest at the C spot in defense.

And as i said, do luka see a longterm future at lakers if u spend what little u got on over the hill players like smart and the likes? I doubt that. Easier to just play out the season and sign with spurs and voila, he got a championship contending team around him.

This was what I was saying a while back, that defense by anyone these days in today's NBA is so overblown. Luka's "lack of defense" is so overblown. I have never seen anyone and/or on any team to have show actual "LOCKDOWN PERIMETER DEFENSE" at all times. Not even half the time. Maybe one out of five possessions. They get lucky. You cant touch the guy with the ball. Youre not going to stop anyone. The defense on okc or boston is not any different than what we have besides the fact you are correct, we dont have an AD or a bona fide center inside anymore.

[Landsberger]

This thread is depressing. The NBA is becoming bereft of consistent talented players. The One and Done era has left us with a bunch of 3 point chuckers surrounded by drive and dish facilitators. The pick and roll style is so hard to watch anymore.

A single coach with a time tested read and react offense could return the league to watchable status.

Luka is a highly talented player for sure. Not much he can't do. For me, the jury is still out on whether or not he has the drive to lead.

I'd say that with Bron here we are not going to be able to surround him with the pieces to be a top 2-5 team without some really good fortune. Bron takes up so much cap and the one thing no one can debate is that he's not getting better at this point. Bron and Luka are essentially the same player on offense. Not a lot of touches beyond them so does switching out the parts other than those 2 make a difference? Real question.

[danfantastk32]

This was what I was saying a while back, that defense by anyone these days in today's NBA is so overblown. Luka's "lack of defense" is so overblown. I have never seen anyone and/or on any team to have show actual "LOCKDOWN PERIMETER DEFENSE" at all times. Not even half the time. Maybe one out of five possessions. They get lucky. You cant touch the guy with the ball. Youre not going to stop anyone. The defense on okc or boston is not any different than what we have besides the fact you are correct, we dont have an AD or a bona fide center inside anymore.

Agree 1000%. This league is so heavily skewed towards offense, that it's almost (almost) worthless to put your effort into defense. There are a couple guys that really have the goods defensively, and find roster spots. But those are few and far between. Having some semblance of defense goes a long way...I'm not saying ignore it. But things are so skewed...that the math just isn't there. Have a big who takes pride in protecting the rim...a wing who takes pride in trying to lock guys down....these are all gravy. They do help. But let's be honest: Go ahead and take Klay Thompson back in his prime....who exactly did he ever "lock up" in the post-season??? Every damn year, we watched the next "Kobe stopper" earn a name cause Kobe would have a semi-off shooting night.....only to go on and torch the guy the rest of the series.

Who ever stopped Harden? Anyone gonna stop Ant-man? Go watch the finals between Lebron and a young Kawhi. Lebron ate his lunch in both series. Both got their points though. Kawhi didn't stop Lebron one ounce.

The last team what was an actual true defensive team, was the 2008 Celtics. They were also a pretty good offensive team as well. But we'll go ahead and call them a team that "hung their hat" on their defense. Ok.....don't look now, but that was almost 20 years ago.

It's nice to get a few defensive minded guys....and by all means...you gotta take defense seriously as a team. Those 4-5 points per game will often make the difference.....as long as your able to put 110 points up on any given night yourself.

[stan francisco]

Defense is overrated? When you watch tennis do you say backhands are overrated?

We were just eliminated because of not good enough defense. By a team that shut us down with defense.

[danfantastk32]

Defense is overrated? When you watch tennis do you say backhands are overrated?

We were just eliminated because of not good enough defense. By a team that shut us down with defense.

We got eliminated because we're a terrible, half-baked team. We had no bigs (at least none with any talent) for either end of the floor. Our team is built around a 40-year old player who's not able to carry a team anymore.

[Anderson Hunt]

Austin Reaves will be a free agent next summer. He's underpaid and will want the most money he can get.

Considering the lack of defensive fit next to Doncic (and James), the Lakers would be best served trading him this off-season.

More than just size, the Lakers need defensive versatility next to Doncic and James. They need every player next to them to be able to guard every position at an above-average level.

[Anderson Hunt]

Cash-in Reaves. They don't need a star. They need value and to fill needs.

The Lakers should trade Reaves and filler for first-round draft picks, a 3&D role-player, and a defensively versatile big:

Reaves, Vincent, Vanderbilt, and Knecht for Johnathan Isaac, Caldwell-Pope, and two first-round picks.

They'd still have Kleber and Milton's contracts to go after Robert Williams III as well.

In free agency, I resign Finney-Smith and sign James to the largest amount possible that will allow the team to use the MLE.

With the MLE, I sign Bruce Brown, and use the vet min on Talen Horton-Tucker to backup Doncic at point guard:

PG - Doncic - Tucker
SG - Pope - Goodwin
C --- Williams - Isaac
PF - James - Hachimura
SF - Smith - Brown

Good for Lakers because they get draft picks, two bigs who are elite, upper-echelon defenders and Pope, a solid 12-13 point scorer/shooter who will also defend. Brown gives them additional defense and shooting, while Tucker provides scoring and playmaking off the bench in relief of Doncic.

Bad for the Lakers because both Isaac and Williams are EXTREMELY injury prone. Pelinka would need to sign two additional switchable, defensive bigs in expectation of both Isaac and Williams being out at the same time. The ten-man rotation still lacks athleticism.

[danfantastk32]

Cash-in Reaves. They don't need a star. They need value and to fill needs.

The Lakers should trade Reaves and filler for first-round draft picks, a 3&D role-player, and a defensively versatile big:

Reaves, Vincent, Vanderbilt, and Knecht for Johnathan Isaac, Caldwell-Pope, and two first-round picks.

They'd still have Kleber and Milton's contracts to go after Robert Williams III as well.

In free agency, I resign Finney-Smith and sign James to the largest amount possible that will allow the team to use the MLE.

With the MLE, I sign Bruce Brown, and use the vet min on Talen Horton-Tucker to backup Doncic at point guard:

PG - Doncic - Tucker
SG - Pope - Goodwin
C --- Williams - Isaac
PF - James - Hachimura
SF - Smith - Brown

Good for Lakers because they get draft picks, two bigs who are elite, upper-echelon defenders and Pope, a solid 12-13 point scorer/shooter who will also defend. Brown gives them additional defense and shooting, while Tucker provides scoring and playmaking off the bench in relief of Doncic.

Bad for the Lakers because both Isaac and Williams are EXTREMELY injury prone. Pelinka would need to sign two additional switchable, defensive bigs in expectation of both Isaac and Williams being out at the same time. The ten-man rotation still lacks athleticism.

You and I continue to have that difference of opinion. I just don't think the Lakers are a role player or two away from competing. Look...Ant Man will be another year older in his ascension next season, and Lebron will be....well the opposite.

The Lakers have no picks, and very little cap room. It's foolish, imo, to waste anymore capital on this team. I forget who said it, as I'd like to give them credit...but if a "home run" falls in your lap, then ok...you can take it. Otherwise??...I think the Lakers would be much better off setting their sights on the 2026 offseason. Lebron is out of contract, and we can put an end to this. And several others will be as well. We will also have that pick to use as a s&t...since we cant outright trade it. That allows us to go get meaningful players. Not more riff-raff.

You have your opinion, and I have mine...and in the end, the Lakers are gonna do what they're gonna do. But we were given a major life-line this season. Getting a 26-year old star, for a 31year old oft-injured big (yes he was still a great player) was the "reset" we needed. We need to act accordingly. I just pray for the outside chance that Lebron hangs them up in the next couple months. Would be doing us a huge favor...with that $50+ mil on the books. But even then....the following season we have another huge chunk of salary coming off the books. It would be best to set our sights then. Band-aids are just further digging our grave. Luka's gonna look around in a year or two, and see a ton of crap around him, no picks, no salary....and bail.

[Liam_Gallagher]

I'm leaning towards trading Austin. Love the guy, but there's too much redundancy with Luka and LeBron. We saw it in the playoffs - Austin's a good player so he found other ways to be useful, but it wasn't ideal. Would rather trade him for a young, athletic big like Walker Kessler.

Reaves, Kleber, and two 2nds for Kessler and Sexton. Goodwin returns, sign some vet minimum guys to fill out the team. Possibly signs Dante Exum, Trey Lyles to minimum deals. Re-sign DFS. James will opt in. Hayes will leave.

G - Sexton/Vincent/Exum
G - Goodwin/Knecht
F - Doncic/DFS
F - James/Rui
C - Kessler/Vando/Lyles

This team is much more balanced than the current one IMO. A little bit of a logjam at the backup 3-5 positions, but you can always do a minor deal involving Vando. I expect Goodwin to have a career year and I like Sexton with Luka. Rui should be a 6MOY candidate.

Let's go.

[danfantastk32]

I'm leaning towards trading Austin. Love the guy, but there's too much redundancy with Luka and LeBron.

Ok....but you understand Lebron is outa here soon, right? Wouldn't it make more sense to see what his replacement is first? What if we somehow sign Julius Randle? Or Bam Adabayo? Suddenly Reeves becomes a better fit.

Honestly Reeves is pretty "take it or leave it" with me. I don't think there's much, if any, cream there. But I just think its bass-ackwards to move the small stuff around, and make salary/contract commitments, when there's this major piece that will be changing soon.

For the guys who think we're a tweak or two away....I'm sorry but we're not. We don't have anything of value to go get kind of player(s) we need to get back up there. We've no tradable picks, and essentially no salary. You can cross your fingers and hope for a miracle....and that's fine. If it happens, then great. But you certainly don't make that your plan.