Official roster tranactions: to hillbilly mamba or not to hillbilly mamba?

[Beethoven]

I love Lebron, my heart wants him to stay and retire as a Laker. However if moving him (because he is not going to take less this time) will give us more leverage to build around Doncic (a 2024 Finals Dallas Mavs 2.0 let say) then let's trade him. I want to see Lebron back home again in Cleveland.

[stan francisco]

I love Lebron, my heart wants him to stay and retire as a Laker. However if moving him (because he is not going to take less this time) will give us more leverage to build around Doncic (a 2024 Finals Dallas Mavs 2.0 let say) then let's trade him. I want to see Lebron back home again in Cleveland.

Ok. We’re trading Bron back home? Not sure he wants to.

Bron and Bronny for Mobley
Rui, Vando (and Sexton) for JJJ and Smart
Reaves and Klieber for Sexton and Kessler. Sexton to Memphis.

Smart / Vincent / Goodwin
Luka (32-36MPG max) / Vincent / Knecht
DFS / Knecht /
JJJ / Mobley / DFS
Kessler / Hayes / Jemison

Needs to be filled in with a bench, but a starting lineup like that, or similar disruptive types of defenders and competent scorers (FVV, Lopez, Powell etc) around Luka and we should be a perennial contender again.

But Luka needs to pay more attention to defense, focus on getting better at it. It’s a better mindset that’s needed above all else. He needs to not think of himself as exempt from it but rather embrace it.

He’s never gonna be the glove but when he tries he does okay.

Edit in italic.

[Beethoven]

Bron and Bronny for Mobley
Rui, Vando (and Sexton) for JJJ and Smart
Reaves and Klieber for Sexton and Kessler. Sexton to Utah.

Mobley and JJJ and Kessler? this is killer.

[DNP-Old]

Lakers trade: Reaves, Rui & '31 FRP
Lakers receive: Allen, Black & '25 #19

Magic trade: Bitadze, Black & '25 #16
Magic receive: Reaves

Caves trade: Allen
Caves receive: Bitadze, '25 #16 & #27

Nets trade: '25 #19 & #27
Nets receive: Rui & LAL '31 FRP

[Beethoven]

There is at least now, Giannis did state that Lakers is one of his possible desired destinations (if he decides to leave, which he surely can not to).

So we have that at least for now.

[SlimShady83]

There is at least now, Giannis did state that Lakers is one of his possible desired destinations (if he decides to leave, which he surely can not to).

So we have that at least for now.

I don't see It, maybe a 3rd team gets Involved in the trade. I think he stays IN the East and heads to New York, for a possible Kat/Giannis swap with others being involved, I'm not getting my hopes up for Giannis.

[Beethoven]

^ I dunno.. there is one trade package idea out there
AR Rui Vando Knect and draft picks = Giannis

I think that works.

[Pointgod]

^ I dunno.. there is one trade package idea out there
AR Rui Vando Knect and draft picks = Giannis

I think that works.

After seeing the heat that the Mavs GM got for trading Luka to us I don’t see this happening considering other teams could give so much more

[Beethoven]

^ I dunno.. there is one trade package idea out there
AR Rui Vando Knect and draft picks = Giannis

I think that works.

After seeing the heat that the Mavs GM got for trading Luka to us I don’t see this happening considering other teams could give so much more

Im not sure what you mean by give so much more. Aren't salaries supposed to match up in the dollar amount before a trade can be approved?

[tamaraw08]

Durant 36


• 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.

I love Smart's defense and grit but I strongly believe JJ would just limit his playing time just like what he did to Vando, Goodwin etc. because he can't hit the open 3 and it's not just Redick but Lue also benched Dunn who was playing great defense for him because he became such a liability.
BTW Clippers also played great defense the whole RS even though a weak defender like Harden played heavy minutes.
Not sure if you noticed how GSW is playing elite defense even with Kerr playing a bad defender like Buddy Hield. How?
By Kerr creating smart defensive schemes to confuse the other team. Yes, having Jimmy and Green helped a ton too so I think having both Reaves and Luka will just not work defensively no matter what.
Re: Knecht, I think hiring smart guys like Shane Battier to tutor him how the the main aspects of defense including positioning, proper stance, footwork etc.

[dAdo dA dEvil]

The best thing to do is find a big first. Who is available in free agency? Who can we get via trade? If this is resolved then that's when we start tweaking the team.

[stan francisco]

Durant 36


• 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.

I love Smart's defense and grit but I strongly believe JJ would just limit his playing time just like what he did to Vando, Goodwin etc. because he can't hit the open 3 and it's not just Redick but Lue also benched Dunn who was playing great defense for him because he became such a liability.
BTW Clippers also played great defense the whole RS even though a weak defender like Harden played heavy minutes.
Not sure if you noticed how GSW is playing elite defense even with Kerr playing a bad defender like Buddy Hield. How?
By Kerr creating smart defensive schemes to confuse the other team. Yes, having Jimmy and Green helped a ton too so I think having both Reaves and Luka will just not work defensively no matter what.
Re: Knecht, I think hiring smart guys like Shane Battier to tutor him how the the main aspects of defense including positioning, proper stance, footwork etc.

Agreed. Hire Battier yesterday. And MWP. And Ariza. We need defensive a system and players. JJ needs to learn or delegate the D.

And the elders of the coaching staff might want to instill some playoffs coaching sense in JJ. Why suddenly no defensive players on the court? Why a five man offense only rotation for a full half? We did well this spring on that end. Why give up on what was working?

Watching OG shutting down PoTatum all game tonight was such a joy!

[tamaraw08]

I love Smart's defense and grit but I strongly believe JJ would just limit his playing time just like what he did to Vando, Goodwin etc. because he can't hit the open 3 and it's not just Redick but Lue also benched Dunn who was playing great defense for him because he became such a liability.
BTW Clippers also played great defense the whole RS even though a weak defender like Harden played heavy minutes.
Not sure if you noticed how GSW is playing elite defense even with Kerr playing a bad defender like Buddy Hield. How?
By Kerr creating smart defensive schemes to confuse the other team. Yes, having Jimmy and Green helped a ton too so I think having both Reaves and Luka will just not work defensively no matter what.
Re: Knecht, I think hiring smart guys like Shane Battier to tutor him how the the main aspects of defense including positioning, proper stance, footwork etc.

Agreed. Hire Battier yesterday. And MWP. And Ariza. We need defensive a system and players. JJ needs to learn or delegate the D.

And the elders of the coaching staff might want to instill some playoffs coaching sense in JJ. Why suddenly no defensive players on the court? Why a five man offense only rotation for a full half? We did well this spring on that end. Why give up on what was working?

Watching OG shutting down PoTatum all game tonight was such a joy!

OG also dropped 29 pts in game 1. It's very difficult to play defenders like Vando and Goodwin Bec they can't shoot because they get exposed on offense, their defenders simply dare them to shoot while clogging the lanes, like I said Lue also was forced bench Dunn.
OKC basically gave up on young high pick guy like Giddey Bec he was a liability on offense.
The top teams have many defenders who can shoot or shooters who can play decent defense.
Knicks have 3, Boston have 4, OKC have like 5. Lakers improved after they acquired DFS but he's the only one and having weak stoppers like Reaves and Luka on the same team is a problem.

[SlimShady83]

The best thing to do is find a big first. Who is available in free agency? Who can we get via trade? If this is resolved then that's when we start tweaking the team.

Steven Adams Is

Via Trade, of course we can get a big, for who and when, that's another question.

[stan francisco]

The best thing to do is find a big first. Who is available in free agency? Who can we get via trade? If this is resolved then that's when we start tweaking the team.

Steven Adams Is

Via Trade, of course we can get a big, for who and when, that's another question.

We need a true two way C, elite.

[tamaraw08]

The best thing to do is find a big first. Who is available in free agency? Who can we get via trade? If this is resolved then that's when we start tweaking the team.

Steven Adams Is

Via Trade, of course we can get a big, for who and when, that's another question.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Adams, this team definitely need size and toughness esp in the post but he's not a floor spacer so he might just clog the lanes for Luka, Lebron and Reaves to operate on.
Rockets was 4th best in DRTG with Adams playing under 14 mins with 3.9 pts and 5.6 rebs.
I'm thinking Brook Lopez, a 7ft guy who can space the floor with his current 37% from 3, with a DRTG of +.4, 13pts, 2blocks and played 32 mins in 80 games last season.
The question though is if he is willing to give a Home discount plus he is getting older too at 36 yrs old. The guy went to Stanford so I'm guessing he didn't squander most of his 198 Mil career earnings.

[Beethoven]

Let's just get Giannis and be done with it.

[SlimShady83]

Steven Adams Is

Via Trade, of course we can get a big, for who and when, that's another question.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Adams, this team definitely need size and toughness esp in the post but he's not a floor spacer so he might just clog the lanes for Luka, Lebron and Reaves to operate on.
Rockets was 4th best in DRTG with Adams playing under 14 mins with 3.9 pts and 5.6 rebs.
I'm thinking Brook Lopez, a 7ft guy who can space the floor with his current 37% from 3, with a DRTG of +.4, 13pts, 2blocks and played 32 mins in 80 games last season.
The question though is if he is willing to give a Home discount plus he is getting older too at 36 yrs old. The guy went to Stanford so I'm guessing he didn't squander most of his 198 Mil career earnings.

I get all that, but this offseason not going to be much, unless you can get the Giannis and he wants out etc - maybe we somehow get Kessler/Collin what I want lol.

Get Adams If you can't Giannis and roll with Adams/Hayes combo

If people are expecting big things this offseason, I'm not getting my hopes up.

2026 offseason however Is the offseason you want. https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2026

I'm drooling over 2026 offseason.

Edit: get Gafford In FA 2026 roll with; Gafford, Adams, Hayes as your big man.

[dAdo dA dEvil]

The best thing to do is find a big first. Who is available in free agency? Who can we get via trade? If this is resolved then that's when we start tweaking the team.

Steven Adams Is

Via Trade, of course we can get a big, for who and when, that's another question.

I like Adams and I'm fine if we can have him as a back up C.

[SlimShady83]

The best thing to do is find a big first. Who is available in free agency? Who can we get via trade? If this is resolved then that's when we start tweaking the team.

Steven Adams Is

Via Trade, of course we can get a big, for who and when, that's another question.

I like Adams and I'm fine if we can have him as a back up C.

Get him and keep Hayes, while looking to get Gafford In 2026 In FA