Official Build around Luka thread for Lakers.

[sonnyhill]

So conditioned Luka will win us the league? With this roster? Yeah let’s act Luka’s conditioning was the problem and not this roster full of holes lmao.

Surround Luka and LeBron with 3-and-D wings; get Luka to buy into both conditioning and defense; get LeBron to play on the block (watch JJ add some split action; similar to what Golden State does); and this team can compete.

Luka, a generational talent, can carry a team on his shoulders.

…without any roster changes??

Get 3-and-D wings to surround Luka and LeBron and the team can compete. Rob P has to get sharper on both the salary cap as well as roster construction.

[Michaellam1987]

As for JJJ, no way in hell we have enough assests unless another team is involved - We would have to use the FRP and all 5 pick swaps

But I do have a question for ya's if it comes down between Jarret Allen and JJJ who would you want?

Got a feeling Cavs will have to make some trades to stay under the tax.

Memphis has a rapidly declining and problematic Ja Morant.
They traded away their starting SG for picks and fillers, so the question is, what is their plan for JJJ?
Most good teams have 1-2 reliable bigs in their roster including OKC, Pacers, Denver, Clips, TWolves, NY etc etc.
Even the freaking Heat have 1-2. Boston might need one but their are desperate to shed salary. Bucks are in a down year without Dame. Houston just resigned Adams.
5 teams are rebuilding and not looking to spend $.
So which other teams are in NEED to trade for JJJ? Are they willing to trade picks and assets for him?

LAL has no feasible ways to trade for JJJ, so no, no and no. Unless you give up Luka

[Syko_boB]

Wonder what the highest 1st round pick we could get for the 2031st lightly or unprotected

There are some bigs projected in the lottery past Malauch & we already know the existing options in the league are scarce

We could aim for pick 13-18 & pick up the most ready big available

Something like

2031 LA 1st & a swap to Brooklyn
#19 & #27 Brooklyn picks to Atlanta
#13 Atlanta pick to LA

[Vae Victus]

Lakers cant properly build around Luka until 2 things happen. Lebron is off the books or willing to take a MLE sized deal to be the 2nd banana to Luke in his chase for another ring AND Reaves is NOT overpaid on his next deal. If Reaves is paid past 25mil he's no longer a positive value deal and will hinder future team building due to his salary. Reaves isnt good enough to be a true 2nd option, but can be great as an offensive 3rd option. However the team's lack of overall defense is gonna kill the squad in the playoffs and trading Reaves for a better athletic defender or similar impact big man will likely make a bigger positive impact for the. It's either trade Reaves or he takes a significant hometown discount.

If 2 year's from now squad is max Luka, max Lebron, Reaves paid 30mil, and the rest of the current role players, we're just gonna see a similar outcome. A decent 3-6 seed and likely 1st/2nd round knockout. Unless Luka goes god mode, cuz age 42/43 Lebron isnt gonna have much left in the tank.

With the way the current CBA is setup, you simply cant overpay non-superstars, otherwise you'll cap yourself out fast. Also you need to hit on your draft picks and be able to develop undrafted G-leaguers into useful end of bench rotation players or trade chips to aggregate into something better.

[tamaraw08]

Surround Luka and LeBron with 3-and-D wings; get Luka to buy into both conditioning and defense; get LeBron to play on the block (watch JJ add some split action; similar to what Golden State does); and this team can compete.

Luka, a generational talent, can carry a team on his shoulders.

…without any roster changes??

Get 3-and-D wings to surround Luka and LeBron and the team can compete. Rob P has to get sharper on both the salary cap as well as roster construction.

some "experts" are strongly advocating for Rob to get 2 Centers at all cost. I am not saying getting a quality big is not a must but the some fans are forgetting that one the reasons they won it all in 2020 was having 3&D guys like Green, KCP and Caruso. Even guys like Rondo and Morris hit 40% from 3, that playoff year. But sure, Lebron was younger and AD was healthy too but having guys who can really really defend and hit open 3's are absolutely needed.
Vando and Goodwin can defend but are huge liabilities on offense. Knecht can shoot but was exploited on the defensive end. The main reason all 3 barely played in the playoffs.

[Danny Darko]

I would retain jaxson as a backup if we can. Felt like he grew into the role and I think he'd be better in year two. If we can get Lopez I'd do that too though not super sexy.

I've seen a proposal where we give up rui and picks for maluach nr draft. That would be cool

[SlimShady83]

I would retain jaxson as a backup if we can. Felt like he grew into the role and I think he'd be better in year two. If we can get Lopez I'd do that too though not super sexy.

I've seen a proposal where we give up rui and picks for maluach nr draft. That would be cool

We can and his on the cheap I beleive , I like Hayes and he wants to stay on the Lakers

My dream as of late = Kessler/Collins trade
Sign Day'Ron Sharp/Laravia from FA

Kessler/Day'Ron Sharp/Hayes
Bron/Collins/Laravia/Vando, front court, can go big or small here .

Any chance of trading for Herb Jones though, would be nice ??