Free agency and team building going forward

[Astaluego]

LeBron isn't going anywhere. I think at this point, his life in LA is more important than desperately chasing a ring that he won't get anyway (unless he signs for the minimum in OKC or Boston (it would greatly damage his career narrative).
Let's say LeBron declines his option and signs a 60 million extension (30+30) over 2 years with a PO in the second and keeps his no-trade clause), even if they have to bribe him under the table. In this scenario, you send Maxi/Vincent+; downgrade the 2031 FRP to the NETS to this year's FRP they have from the KNICKS (26 + a 36 SRP).
After this trade, the LAKERS would be FA players and could pay Turner 30 million and sign Bruce Brown with the MLE.
Kornet min..
Javonte Green min

Turner /Kornet/Vandervilt
LeBron/DFS
Hachimura/Knecht/Green
Reaves/Goodwin/Bronny
Luka/B.Brown

[Anderson Hunt]

A trade centred around Reaves and Walker Kessler could help both teams in their present landscape IMO.

Why would the Jazz want Reaves?

[Anderson Hunt]

LeBron and Don is like peanut butter and peanut butter. It’s not an ideal duo, but I’ll be quiet. Both provide similar things offensively.

But, it provides an opportunity. We could afford the luxury to always have one or the other on the court. I would limit their time together. Prolongs Bron’s career, allows Luka to be fresh in the post season. Limit the -29 effect of them together on the floor.

That requires a great supporting cast.

Draft will be interesting. We should explore trading up for Flagg.

I think the roster we have needs adjusting. Tough break with the rescinded trade for Williams or we could’ve made a run.

Gotta say I’m disappointed in Redick giving up on defense first and getting us eliminated. What happened to the togetherness-vibes and the defensive intensity?

The problem is their defense. It's difficult to hide two players. It's the reason Reaves must go.

[stan francisco]

On my radar: A Gordon, McDaniels, Kessler, Giannis, Mobley, Lively, Lopez, Robinson, Sims, Rollins, Okoro, Cam, B Brown, M Smart, Garland, Porzingis.

I’m ready to trade all but Knecht and Vando. Both are great complimentary fits with Luka.

Bron, if he stays, which I think he will, should lead a hockey change squad off the bench, play no more than 30MPG. He and Luka were -29 together against Minny because of defense and because of watching each other on offense. Bron for 6MOY.

That way, we can start building the frame work for our future starting squad now, go for the championship next year, fill in with FA in 2026.

No bench squad can stop Bron and he’ll have an easier time guarding them. He IS 40. The playoffs showed he doesn’t have 48MPG of elite play in him anymore. 30 badass minutes of killing off bench squads should be impactful.

[Apz]

On my radar: A Gordon, McDaniels, Kessler, Giannis, Mobley, Lively, Lopez, Robinson, Sims, Rollins, Okoro, Cam, B Brown, M Smart, Garland, Porzingis.

I’m ready to trade all but Knecht and Vando. Both are great complimentary fits with Luka.

Bron, if he stays, which I think he will, should lead a hockey change squad off the bench, play no more than 30MPG. He and Luka were -29 together against Minny because of defense and because of watching each other on offense. Bron for 6MOY.

That way, we can start building the frame work for our future starting squad now, go for the championship next year, fill in with FA in 2026.

No bench squad can stop Bron and he’ll have an easier time guarding them. He IS 40. The playoffs showed he doesn’t have 48MPG of elite play in him anymore. 30 badass minutes of killing off bench squads should be impactful.

Why the heck would lakers want KP? Sure, if the fture is lebron and u are sure luka gonna leave, go for it. Luka isnt signing an extension if the "help" is KP.

[stan francisco]

Must have a big. In the west: Wemby… Holmgren… Joker…

When healthy, KP is a great fit next to Luka. People forget how good he is I guess.

We need the right C, and then a bunch of dawgs around Luka.

I’m hoping for guys like Lu Dort, M Smart, Dyson Daniels, A Gordon, Okoro, and a 7’ plus center who plays inside and nails the three and can move off the ball like a soccer player. Luka plays that way, if nobody cuts he dribbles for 24.

We need the right fitting pieces around him. Not stars.

But sure, get us Giannis. I won’t complain.

[JVL]

As a Lebron fan of the first hour I'd say there's no winning future for the Lakers as long as Lebron's salary is on our roster. He carries a cap hit of $52,627,153, which is 34.03% of our total salary cap next year.

We just have to ride him out and prepare to build around Doncic for the next decade. Any moves that are built to "win now" and not to set up a future Championship roster around Doncic are useless. We're not winning with >41 year old Lebron James commanding over a third of what we can spend.

Take next year to get Doncic sorted out. No more lazy offseasons where he comes back out of shape. Focus on conditioning and work ethic so we're ready to go full tilt in 2026-2027. Get him dialed in, sort out your strategy for the off-season next year, gauge his commitment to a long-term project with the Lakers.

Lebron is never taking a paycut. We just have to organize his retirement tour next year and look ahead. It's time to end it Bron, it was an amazing run but it's been enough.

[Apz]

Must have a big. In the west: Wemby… Holmgren… Joker…

When healthy, KP is a great fit next to Luka. People forget how good he is I guess.

We need the right C, and then a bunch of dawgs around Luka.

I’m hoping for guys like Lu Dort, M Smart, Dyson Daniels, A Gordon, Okoro, and a 7’ plus center who plays inside and nails the three and can move off the ball like a soccer player. Luka plays that way, if nobody cuts he dribbles for 24.

We need the right fitting pieces around him. Not stars.

But sure, get us Giannis. I won’t complain.

Its already been tried and didnt work. And definetly no love between luka and kp. What bubble u been living in?

[danfantastk32]

As a Lebron fan of the first hour I'd say there's no winning future for the Lakers as long as Lebron's salary is on our roster. He carries a cap hit of $52,627,153, which is 34.03% of our total salary cap next year.

We just have to ride him out and prepare to build around Doncic for the next decade. Any moves that are built to "win now" and not to set up a future Championship roster around Doncic are useless. We're not winning with >41 year old Lebron James commanding over a third of what we can spend.

Take next year to get Doncic sorted out. No more lazy offseasons where he comes back out of shape. Focus on conditioning and work ethic so we're ready to go full tilt in 2026-2027. Get him dialed in, sort out your strategy for the off-season next year, gauge his commitment to a long-term project with the Lakers.

Lebron is never taking a paycut. We just have to organize his retirement tour next year and look ahead. It's time to end it Bron, it was an amazing run but it's been enough.

Your exactly right. Just because we're not competing next year doesn't mean its worthless, or we're tanking. We have things to get in order.

#1 - as you alluded to...time to get Luka in cold-steel shape. Is he in, or out? We're prepared to build a team around him for the next decade. Is he willing to be here and buy in? Is he gonna come into future seasons in tip-top shape. Does he want to be an NBA legend...or is $$$ enough? Lot's to do with him next year.

#2 - Guys like Reeves, Vincent, RUI, Knecht, Vanderbuilt, F-Smith....do they have a future here? I think alot of emphasis with these guys on defense, and working well with Luka (And not Lebron) in the offseason, and training will give them the tools they need to succeed with Luka. They will have next year to put it all together, and prove they should be resigned.

#3) - Knecht....besides #2, there's also his personal growth. He started well this season, but fell off. Not an issue with me at all. The first year is a huge adjustment. College is short, but the NBA is a marathon. But he's gotta build on this. He's gotta get some defense. I'm not asking for an all-star...but I wanna see growth. This guy should get alot of playing time next year. Give him every chance to succeed...or we can waive him knowing we gave him every opportunity.

#4) - Center....I don't think there's alot we can do here. But this is a year where maybe you can find a diamond in the rough? If you wanna take some chances on guys...this is your season to do it. Just no long-term deals please.


I don't think we have much on this team that's worth keeping. But now's the time to find out. No long contracts...no moving picks (not sure we even can). Let's go into 2026 offseason ready to build, and build fast. And for what it's worth....let's use this season to watch Luka with a critical eye. Is this guy worthy of the keys? He's got some proving to do....for Christ's sake....learn to defend a lamp-post will you??!! I don't need Pippen out there, but at least show that it MATTERS to you. Do you want to win titles or not??

[danfantastk32]

I think defense is a bit overrated in today's NBA. There are no 'great' defensive teams. Not even close. The game is so skewed towards offense.

But with that said...your gonna come down to little things in the post-season. And the ability to play half-decent defense is gonna be the difference in a few key games. And not only that, but a commitment to defense, is a commitment to a complete game, and a commitment to the "little things" that will expand a teams attention to details. It will help with hustle...help with winning those 50/50 balls...help with attitude.

It's why you can't win with a leader who doesn't have to play defense. It's not how the universe works...sorry. The leader doesn't have to be great, but he's gotta lead....and that means at least trying. Some might look to GS to refute that...but while Curry get's the jersey sales, and the loudest cheer, and all the commercials....we know who the leader of that team is. In the huddle down 3 point....who do you think is talking? After a blowout loss, who's bustin balls in the locker room? Their leader. We know who it is...and he plays defense.

Luka, are you listening?

[stan francisco]

Must have a big. In the west: Wemby… Holmgren… Joker…

When healthy, KP is a great fit next to Luka. People forget how good he is I guess.

We need the right C, and then a bunch of dawgs around Luka.

I’m hoping for guys like Lu Dort, M Smart, Dyson Daniels, A Gordon, Okoro, and a 7’ plus center who plays inside and nails the three and can move off the ball like a soccer player. Luka plays that way, if nobody cuts he dribbles for 24.

We need the right fitting pieces around him. Not stars.

But sure, get us Giannis. I won’t complain.

Its already been tried and didnt work.

Which part of my post has been tried and didn’t work? Getting Luka to dribble less?

[stan francisco]

As a Lebron fan of the first hour I'd say there's no winning future for the Lakers as long as Lebron's salary is on our roster. He carries a cap hit of $52,627,153, which is 34.03% of our total salary cap next year.

We just have to ride him out and prepare to build around Doncic for the next decade. Any moves that are built to "win now" and not to set up a future Championship roster around Doncic are useless. We're not winning with >41 year old Lebron James commanding over a third of what we can spend.

Take next year to get Doncic sorted out. No more lazy offseasons where he comes back out of shape. Focus on conditioning and work ethic so we're ready to go full tilt in 2026-2027. Get him dialed in, sort out your strategy for the off-season next year, gauge his commitment to a long-term project with the Lakers.

Lebron is never taking a paycut. We just have to organize his retirement tour next year and look ahead. It's time to end it Bron, it was an amazing run but it's been enough.

Good post. Does Bron need another ring more than another $20M? Only he knows.

The spidey senses tells me he’ll take a $35M deal with a PO for a second year for $30M.

I’m still not sure I’d do it. But I like the idea of Bron leading our second unit, feeding the bench mob some easy looks.

[NBAWestFan]

Bron & Bronny to Cavs for a Big

Cavs are good but too young and need experience.
Bron takes a cut for signed and trade to retire in Cleveland.

Time to go.
He can feel people don't want him here anymore.

40 years is enough the Lakers have done their part for Bron.

Time to help the Lakers future.

[Anderson Hunt]

As a Lebron fan of the first hour I'd say there's no winning future for the Lakers as long as Lebron's salary is on our roster. He carries a cap hit of $52,627,153, which is 34.03% of our total salary cap next year.

We just have to ride him out and prepare to build around Doncic for the next decade. Any moves that are built to "win now" and not to set up a future Championship roster around Doncic are useless. We're not winning with >41 year old Lebron James commanding over a third of what we can spend.

Take next year to get Doncic sorted out. No more lazy offseasons where he comes back out of shape. Focus on conditioning and work ethic so we're ready to go full tilt in 2026-2027. Get him dialed in, sort out your strategy for the off-season next year, gauge his commitment to a long-term project with the Lakers.

Lebron is never taking a paycut. We just have to organize his retirement tour next year and look ahead. It's time to end it Bron, it was an amazing run but it's been enough.

You can do both.

Building around Luka is much like building around Luka and LeBron.

In both scenarios you need shooting and defensive versatility.

[Apz]

Must have a big. In the west: Wemby… Holmgren… Joker…

When healthy, KP is a great fit next to Luka. People forget how good he is I guess.

We need the right C, and then a bunch of dawgs around Luka.

I’m hoping for guys like Lu Dort, M Smart, Dyson Daniels, A Gordon, Okoro, and a 7’ plus center who plays inside and nails the three and can move off the ball like a soccer player. Luka plays that way, if nobody cuts he dribbles for 24.

We need the right fitting pieces around him. Not stars.

But sure, get us Giannis. I won’t complain.

Its already been tried and didnt work.

Which part of my post has been tried and didn’t work? Getting Luka to dribble less?

Luka and KP obviously, what rock u been living under?

[zuju]

Lakers needs to urgently fill the roster with bigger bodies. No way they can do it only via free agency or trades as we do not have cap space or attractive trade assets. There are quite a number of bigs out there in this year's draft. Here below is some possible ones to consider.

2nd Rounder
Maxime Raynaud
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Johni Broome
Vladislav Goldin
Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Alex Condon
Danny Wolf (3pt shooting big, not good in defense ?)

G league developer
Grant Nelson
Rocco Zikarsky

For trades:
My targets would be Johnathan Issac, Clingan (if possible) and WCS

Free agency
Steven Adams

From this year's playoff, it is quite obvious that teams are getting bigger and bully the smaller teams. The slow footed bulky bigs have some crucial use as well. Bring in one bulky big and one athletic big would be suitable.

Hopefully, JJ won't be too stubborn to his 3 point shooting philosophy. Play to your players' strength, not your own philosophy. You have Vando Gabe and Goodwin on the bench for defense and toughness. You play them to their strength. AR did badly on court. Use for some defensive toughness and Gabe actually had the ball handling and toughness, he wasted them as well. If JJ can make some change in his mindset, he can be great coach. Now, not so good imo.

[stan francisco]

Its already been tried and didnt work.

Which part of my post has been tried and didn’t work? Getting Luka to dribble less?

Luka and KP obviously, what rock u been living under?

I’ve missed some drama I take it? Cool. On court or off court? If on court, shouldn’t be a problem.

Replace KP with a similar profile C if you want.

The bigger point I’m trying to make is that we ideally need an elite level C who is a triple threat offensively and switchable on defense. Someone who moves off the ball and plays angles soccer style like Luka does.

There’s not that many of them out there who fit the bill.

Wemby, Holmgren, Lopez, Porzingis, Adebayo, Giannis, Towns… who else?

KP minus the drama is a good basketball fit with Luka. Would you agree?

[Liam_Gallagher]

Boston can get Luke freakin' Kornet to put up a near 10/10/10 yet we can't even have Jaxon Hayes give us 18 minutes of decent play in the playoffs, the ending of our season pisses me off even more as this postseason goes on. I truly believe we were still the 2nd best team behind Minnesota and possibly beat them if Luka doesn't get a stomach bug in the middle of games freakin' 2, 3, and 4. What a mess.

[Apz]

Which part of my post has been tried and didn’t work? Getting Luka to dribble less?

Luka and KP obviously, what rock u been living under?

I’ve missed some drama I take it? Cool. On court or off court? If on court, shouldn’t be a problem.

Replace KP with a similar profile C if you want.

The bigger point I’m trying to make is that we ideally need an elite level C who is a triple threat offensively and switchable on defense. Someone who moves off the ball and plays angles soccer style like Luka does.

There’s not that many of them out there who fit the bill.

Wemby, Holmgren, Lopez, Porzingis, Adebayo, Giannis, Towns… who else?

KP minus the drama is a good basketball fit with Luka. Would you agree?

No I dont. The fit with KP were ****. Everyone, including me, thought it would be a great fit but it was a disaster. Couldnt figure out why. Then they got lively and everything fell into place. A luka offense will start with the center as the screener, KP sucks at that. Then he will roll, KP sucks at that. Then center either get the ball in the shortroll or for a dunk, Lively is amazing at both. Reason Lively were far better then gafford and considered the obvious starter even tho they played like 24/24 were his reads out of the shortroll. Dont know why so many lakers fans is locked in on gafford to la, yes good backup to lively, but at the same time there were games he were bad.

KPs issue is mainly that he wants to shoot 3s. After seeing it i wouldnt ever want to see it again with luka. Just bad fits when u have probably the best pnr guard in nba history

[stan francisco]

Luka and KP obviously, what rock u been living under?

I’ve missed some drama I take it? Cool. On court or off court? If on court, shouldn’t be a problem.

Replace KP with a similar profile C if you want.

The bigger point I’m trying to make is that we ideally need an elite level C who is a triple threat offensively and switchable on defense. Someone who moves off the ball and plays angles soccer style like Luka does.

There’s not that many of them out there who fit the bill.

Wemby, Holmgren, Lopez, Porzingis, Adebayo, Giannis, Towns… who else?

KP minus the drama is a good basketball fit with Luka. Would you agree?

No I dont. The fit with KP were ****. Everyone, including me, thought it would be a great fit but it was a disaster. Couldnt figure out why. Then they got lively and everything fell into place. A luka offense will start with the center as the screener, KP sucks at that. Then he will roll, KP sucks at that. Then center either get the ball in the shortroll or for a dunk, Lively is amazing at both. Reason Lively were far better then gafford and considered the obvious starter even tho they played like 24/24 were his reads out of the shortroll. Dont know why so many lakers fans is locked in on gafford to la, yes good backup to lively, but at the same time there were games he were bad.

KPs issue is mainly that he wants to shoot 3s. After seeing it i wouldnt ever want to see it again with luka. Just bad fits when u have probably the best pnr guard in nba history

Cool. I forgot they played together, only follow LAL closely. To me, he’s only been elite after he was on the Celtics. The fundamentals look better.

Lively is someone I was hoping would drop in the draft but Dallas were smart enough to snag him early. I really like his game.

I think Jokic will ask for a trade, wants to play with Luka. I hope Bron will ask for a S&T to Cleveland. Durant surely will move. Giannis might, too.

A four team deal including Bron, Joker, Durant, Giannis would be epic.