LAL/MIA

[BBallFreak]

A big part of the value for MIA here is shedding the 2nd year of Wiggins, but for 26-27, they're currently $69.9M below the tax line with Bam/Herro/Wiggins/SloMo/JJJ/Ware/Pelle signed, and SloMo can be waived for more room as his $9.6M salary is non guaranteed. I assume they'll want to keep Jovic, Highsmith and then they'll sign their 1st rounder from this past draft.

I guess if you look at it from a cap space standpoint, they're currently at about $35M before signing any of those guys above. So wiping Wiggins at $30M takes them to up to about $65M. Again, though doesn't include roster spots and re-signings from above. So still probably more like $40M in cap space to actually use.

It feels like traditional FA is kind of dead now, so if the goal is to add it might help to have Wiggins' contract to do it via trade or even S&T. And MIA doesn't seem like the team who'd ever use cap space to collect draft picks for crap players.

It just feels like for this to be something MIA would do, Wiggins would have to be a bad apple for them or their payroll would have to be murkier.

Exactly. I'm sure plenty of teams could offer expiring deals. It's going to take an incentive to get him. It feels like that's fair.

[Karmaloop]

Exactly. I'm sure plenty of teams could offer expiring deals. It's going to take an incentive to get him. It feels like that's fair.

How many teams have ~$25M in useless expiring lying around aside from the Lakers?

[BBallFreak]

Exactly. I'm sure plenty of teams could offer expiring deals. It's going to take an incentive to get him. It feels like that's fair.

How many teams have ~$25M in useless expiring lying around aside from the Lakers?

I mean, Miami, alone, is sitting on about $53 million worth. Teams have expiring contracts all over the place. That doesn't mean you get a quality player with no incentive.

[LightTheBeam]

I think LA is more likely to say no here. All the talk has been about Miami wanting to be FA players in 2026, what about the Lakers?

They will go into that year with tons of cap space. Just go look at their cap sheet. They are in a position to go after anyone. I don't think they would want to tie salary on Wiggins.

Rui and Wiggins are close enough on the court.

Now if LA is fully committed to a 2 year run with Lebron, and then hitting FA 2027 (which is a lot more loaded), then I like this deal for both teams.

[BBallFreak]

I think LA is more likely to say no here. All the talk has been about Miami wanting to be FA players in 2026, what about the Lakers?

They will go into that year with tons of cap space. Just go look at their cap sheet. They are in a position to go after anyone. I don't think they would want to tie salary on Wiggins.

Rui and Wiggins are close enough on the court.

Now if LA is fully committed to a 2 year run with Lebron, and then hitting FA 2027 (which is a lot more loaded), then I like this deal for both teams.

I think they have to be. Remember, this isn't just about LeBron, this is about keeping Luka.

[LightTheBeam]

I think LA is more likely to say no here. All the talk has been about Miami wanting to be FA players in 2026, what about the Lakers?

They will go into that year with tons of cap space. Just go look at their cap sheet. They are in a position to go after anyone. I don't think they would want to tie salary on Wiggins.

Rui and Wiggins are close enough on the court.

Now if LA is fully committed to a 2 year run with Lebron, and then hitting FA 2027 (which is a lot more loaded), then I like this deal for both teams.

I think they have to be. Remember, this isn't just about LeBron, this is about keeping Luka.

I hate the Lakers and hope you are right. I want to see Luka leave at the first chance (especially with the outright rigged way they got him). But I think they've clearly told Luka that the plan is to build around him long term and that this is probably Lebron's last year with the team.

Luka will be fine if the plan is to basically grab a center in FA (Capela), run it back, and then build the perfect team around him in FA.

None of us want to see LA go into any real FA with 100 million in cap space and Luka Doncic.

[BBallFreak]

I think LA is more likely to say no here. All the talk has been about Miami wanting to be FA players in 2026, what about the Lakers?

They will go into that year with tons of cap space. Just go look at their cap sheet. They are in a position to go after anyone. I don't think they would want to tie salary on Wiggins.

Rui and Wiggins are close enough on the court.

Now if LA is fully committed to a 2 year run with Lebron, and then hitting FA 2027 (which is a lot more loaded), then I like this deal for both teams.

I think they have to be. Remember, this isn't just about LeBron, this is about keeping Luka.

I hate the Lakers and hope you are right. I want to see Luka leave at the first chance (especially with the outright rigged way they got him). But I think they've clearly told Luka that the plan is to build around him long term and that this is probably Lebron's last year with the team.

Luka will be fine if the plan is to basically grab a center in FA (Capela), run it back, and then build the perfect team around him in FA.

None of us want to see LA go into any real FA with 100 million in cap space and Luka Doncic.

They would be fools not to go all in right now and not waste an effective LeBron with an amazing Luka

[ReggiesKnicks]

I think they have to be. Remember, this isn't just about LeBron, this is about keeping Luka.

I hate the Lakers and hope you are right. I want to see Luka leave at the first chance (especially with the outright rigged way they got him). But I think they've clearly told Luka that the plan is to build around him long term and that this is probably Lebron's last year with the team.

Luka will be fine if the plan is to basically grab a center in FA (Capela), run it back, and then build the perfect team around him in FA.

None of us want to see LA go into any real FA with 100 million in cap space and Luka Doncic.

They would be fools not to go all in right now and not waste an effective LeBron with an amazing Luka

Current LeBron may be Luka's best teammate for the rest of the decade.

[Karmaloop]

I mean, Miami, alone, is sitting on about $53 million worth. Teams have expiring contracts all over the place. That doesn't mean you get a quality player with no incentive.

The useless part was the critical part. Just going down the list, you've got Portland ($33M with Ayton), Washington ($31M with Middleton), and Utah ($39M with Collins and Clakrson). The list of teams with expiring that want/need Wiggins seems pretty low.

[Karmaloop]

I think they have to be. Remember, this isn't just about LeBron, this is about keeping Luka.

I'm sure for the Lakers it's the next 2-3 seasons. At this point, I'd be surprised if Doncic signed anything but the 2+1 deal that maximizes his earnings. I'm struggling to see where they'd spend that kind of money. Think the Lakers probably are more interested in the '27 FA class.

[LightTheBeam]

I think they have to be. Remember, this isn't just about LeBron, this is about keeping Luka.

I hate the Lakers and hope you are right. I want to see Luka leave at the first chance (especially with the outright rigged way they got him). But I think they've clearly told Luka that the plan is to build around him long term and that this is probably Lebron's last year with the team.

Luka will be fine if the plan is to basically grab a center in FA (Capela), run it back, and then build the perfect team around him in FA.

None of us want to see LA go into any real FA with 100 million in cap space and Luka Doncic.

They would be fools not to go all in right now and not waste an effective LeBron with an amazing Luka

I just don't think Wiggins is a major upgrade to Rui. I can't imagine we are looking at the Lakers beating OKC next year and saying ya Wiggins over Rui was the big difference here. On the current team Rui is actually a better fit. There are some cases Rui can play small ball 5 and guard the opposing center. Rui at this stage is also better suited to stand in the corner than Wiggins.

Now if they get two legit center options, maybe you talk me into Wiggins being the DFS upgrade? But then they also need to find a capable backup guard with Vincent gone.

Center 1/Center 2
Lebron/
Wiggins/DFS
Reaves
Luka/Backup Guard

[BBallFreak]

I mean, Miami, alone, is sitting on about $53 million worth. Teams have expiring contracts all over the place. That doesn't mean you get a quality player with no incentive.

The useless part was the critical part. Just going down the list, you've got Portland ($33M with Ayton), Washington ($31M with Middleton), and Utah ($39M with Collins and Clakrson). The list of teams with expiring that want/need Wiggins seems pretty low.

You're missing my point.

It doesn't matter that the list with those expiring deals seems pretty low to you. Smaller contacts can be flipped again.

If it was just a matter of turning useless expiring deals (Rozier, Robinson, and Anderson) Miami could just flip their own for useful players and get instantly better! Know why that's not happening? Because value has to be attached to get useful players. Otherwise, we can just keep him this year and trade him next year when he'll be expiring, himself.

[BBallFreak]

I hate the Lakers and hope you are right. I want to see Luka leave at the first chance (especially with the outright rigged way they got him). But I think they've clearly told Luka that the plan is to build around him long term and that this is probably Lebron's last year with the team.

Luka will be fine if the plan is to basically grab a center in FA (Capela), run it back, and then build the perfect team around him in FA.

None of us want to see LA go into any real FA with 100 million in cap space and Luka Doncic.

They would be fools not to go all in right now and not waste an effective LeBron with an amazing Luka

I just don't think Wiggins is a major upgrade to Rui. I can't imagine we are looking at the Lakers beating OKC next year and saying ya Wiggins over Rui was the big difference here. On the current team Rui is actually a better fit. There are some cases Rui can play small ball 5 and guard the opposing center. Rui at this stage is also better suited to stand in the corner than Wiggins.

Now if they get two legit center options, maybe you talk me into Wiggins being the DFS upgrade? But then they also need to find a capable backup guard with Vincent gone.

Center 1/Center 2
Lebron/
Wiggins/DFS
Reaves
Luka/Backup Guard

It doesn't need to be Vincent. It can be Kleber. He'd actually fill more of a need for Miami as we just drafted a point guard, and already have Davyion Mitchell and Dru Smith. The reason you want Wiggins over Rui is his perimeter defense. You can use DFS and Vando as situational bigs, but right now, you don't really have a perimeter stopper in LA. We can probably find a way to include SloMo but he's kind of redundant with DFS imo.

[LightTheBeam]

They would be fools not to go all in right now and not waste an effective LeBron with an amazing Luka

I just don't think Wiggins is a major upgrade to Rui. I can't imagine we are looking at the Lakers beating OKC next year and saying ya Wiggins over Rui was the big difference here. On the current team Rui is actually a better fit. There are some cases Rui can play small ball 5 and guard the opposing center. Rui at this stage is also better suited to stand in the corner than Wiggins.

Now if they get two legit center options, maybe you talk me into Wiggins being the DFS upgrade? But then they also need to find a capable backup guard with Vincent gone.

Center 1/Center 2
Lebron/
Wiggins/DFS
Reaves
Luka/Backup Guard

It doesn't need to be Vincent. It can be Kleber. He'd actually fill more of a need for Miami as we just drafted a point guard, and already have Davyion Mitchell and Dru Smith. The reason you want Wiggins over Rui is his perimeter defense. You can use DFS and Vando as situational bigs, but right now, you don't really have a perimeter stopper in LA. We can probably find a way to include SloMo but he's kind of redundant with DFS imo.

I don't see DFS having the same small ball center ability as Rui, and Vando is essentially unplayable in the playoffs.

Right now it feels like plugging one hole, while creating another. If they had more assets I could see the argument, but they don't. So the idea of giving up their only available draft pick to make this swap feels foolish. If they had some more 2nds sitting around, I'd be indifferent if they included 1-2 here.

[BBallFreak]

I just don't think Wiggins is a major upgrade to Rui. I can't imagine we are looking at the Lakers beating OKC next year and saying ya Wiggins over Rui was the big difference here. On the current team Rui is actually a better fit. There are some cases Rui can play small ball 5 and guard the opposing center. Rui at this stage is also better suited to stand in the corner than Wiggins.

Now if they get two legit center options, maybe you talk me into Wiggins being the DFS upgrade? But then they also need to find a capable backup guard with Vincent gone.

Center 1/Center 2
Lebron/
Wiggins/DFS
Reaves
Luka/Backup Guard

It doesn't need to be Vincent. It can be Kleber. He'd actually fill more of a need for Miami as we just drafted a point guard, and already have Davyion Mitchell and Dru Smith. The reason you want Wiggins over Rui is his perimeter defense. You can use DFS and Vando as situational bigs, but right now, you don't really have a perimeter stopper in LA. We can probably find a way to include SloMo but he's kind of redundant with DFS imo.

I don't see DFS having the same small ball center ability as Rui, and Vando is essentially unplayable in the playoffs.

Right now it feels like plugging one hole, while creating another. If they had more assets I could see the argument, but they don't. So the idea of giving up their only available draft pick to make this swap feels foolish. If they had some more 2nds sitting around, I'd be indifferent if they included 1-2 here.

Seconds can be acquired, Knecht can be included instead, other teams can be involved, etc.. It just feels like LA wants him enough to advance talks beyond exploratory. Just a matter of what they're willing to do.

[Karmaloop]

You're missing my point.

It doesn't matter that the list with those expiring deals seems pretty low to you. Smaller contacts can be flipped again.

If it was just a matter of turning useless expiring deals (Rozier, Robinson, and Anderson) Miami could just flip their own for useful players and get instantly better! Know why that's not happening? Because value has to be attached to get useful players. Otherwise, we can just keep him this year and trade him next year when he'll be expiring, himself.

No, I fully understood your point. If Wiggins were an expiring contract (or a likely to expire contract), your point would be valid. But I don't think Wiggins is gonna decline his PO and I think he's overpaid for what he provides. I think he's closer to a $18-$22M type of player rather than the $29M/year player he's got remaining on his contract. And Miami's incentive is already there. It's turning Wiggins likely 2 year deal into multiple 1 year deals that create more flexibility in terms of '26 cap space as well as maneuverability in trades. If you want to wait until later and include a '32 SRP and a lightly protected pick swap in 2026, I'd probably do it. But I can't see Wiggins bringing back expiring contracts and draft assets.

[BBallFreak]

You're missing my point.

It doesn't matter that the list with those expiring deals seems pretty low to you. Smaller contacts can be flipped again.

If it was just a matter of turning useless expiring deals (Rozier, Robinson, and Anderson) Miami could just flip their own for useful players and get instantly better! Know why that's not happening? Because value has to be attached to get useful players. Otherwise, we can just keep him this year and trade him next year when he'll be expiring, himself.

No, I fully understood your point. If Wiggins were an expiring contract (or a likely to expire contract), your point would be valid. But I don't think Wiggins is gonna decline his PO and I think he's overpaid for what he provides. I think he's closer to a $18-$22M type of player rather than the $29M/year player he's got remaining on his contract. And Miami's incentive is already there. It's turning Wiggins likely 2 year deal into multiple 1 year deals that create more flexibility in terms of '26 cap space as well as maneuverability in trades. If you want to wait until later and include a '32 SRP and a lightly protected pick swap in 2026, I'd probably do it. But I can't see Wiggins bringing back expiring contracts and draft assets.

I mean, you're entitled to your opinion, but I think you're wrong. Someone will offer an incentive to go with expiring deals and I'm comfortable waiting for that. No need to sacrifice value because LA wants us to

[SA37]

A big part of the value for MIA here is shedding the 2nd year of Wiggins, but for 26-27, they're currently $69.9M below the tax line with Bam/Herro/Wiggins/SloMo/JJJ/Ware/Pelle signed, and SloMo can be waived for more room as his $9.6M salary is non guaranteed. I assume they'll want to keep Jovic, Highsmith and then they'll sign their 1st rounder from this past draft.

I guess if you look at it from a cap space standpoint, they're currently at about $35M before signing any of those guys above. So wiping Wiggins at $30M takes them to up to about $65M. Again, though doesn't include roster spots and re-signings from above. So still probably more like $40M in cap space to actually use.

It feels like traditional FA is kind of dead now, so if the goal is to add it might help to have Wiggins' contract to do it via trade or even S&T. And MIA doesn't seem like the team who'd ever use cap space to collect draft picks for crap players.

It just feels like for this to be something MIA would do, Wiggins would have to be a bad apple for them or their payroll would have to be murkier.

Matching big salaries is getting tougher and tougher, so the cap space is just as useful for acquiring a player without having to give up 3-4 players to match salaries. 2026 doesn't seem to have any great FA options, but as 2nd apron stuff starts playing a role, there will be opportunities to take on big salaries for basically draft picks and role players who are slowly, but surely taking big cuts.

[SA37]

I hate the Lakers and hope you are right. I want to see Luka leave at the first chance (especially with the outright rigged way they got him). But I think they've clearly told Luka that the plan is to build around him long term and that this is probably Lebron's last year with the team.

Luka will be fine if the plan is to basically grab a center in FA (Capela), run it back, and then build the perfect team around him in FA.

None of us want to see LA go into any real FA with 100 million in cap space and Luka Doncic.

They would be fools not to go all in right now and not waste an effective LeBron with an amazing Luka

I just don't think Wiggins is a major upgrade to Rui. I can't imagine we are looking at the Lakers beating OKC next year and saying ya Wiggins over Rui was the big difference here. On the current team Rui is actually a better fit. There are some cases Rui can play small ball 5 and guard the opposing center. Rui at this stage is also better suited to stand in the corner than Wiggins.

Now if they get two legit center options, maybe you talk me into Wiggins being the DFS upgrade? But then they also need to find a capable backup guard with Vincent gone.

Center 1/Center 2
Lebron/
Wiggins/DFS
Reaves
Luka/Backup Guard

Wiggins is more agile, a better defender, and has deep playoff experience. He's also a more consistent player than Rui and an established starter, whereas Rui is not.

I don't care for Wiggins' game at all and I really want Miami to trade him, but Rui and Vincent -- with or without a 1st, Knecht or whatever -- is pawn-shop quality return for Wiggins, imo.

I'd much rather see Miami go after DeRozan, Cam Johnson, John Collins, Collin Sexton, Julius Randle...someone like that.

[SA37]

You're missing my point.

It doesn't matter that the list with those expiring deals seems pretty low to you. Smaller contacts can be flipped again.

If it was just a matter of turning useless expiring deals (Rozier, Robinson, and Anderson) Miami could just flip their own for useful players and get instantly better! Know why that's not happening? Because value has to be attached to get useful players. Otherwise, we can just keep him this year and trade him next year when he'll be expiring, himself.

No, I fully understood your point. If Wiggins were an expiring contract (or a likely to expire contract), your point would be valid. But I don't think Wiggins is gonna decline his PO and I think he's overpaid for what he provides. I think he's closer to a $18-$22M type of player rather than the $29M/year player he's got remaining on his contract. And Miami's incentive is already there. It's turning Wiggins likely 2 year deal into multiple 1 year deals that create more flexibility in terms of '26 cap space as well as maneuverability in trades. If you want to wait until later and include a '32 SRP and a lightly protected pick swap in 2026, I'd probably do it. But I can't see Wiggins bringing back expiring contracts and draft assets.

This is a fair take, BUT the Lakers are "on the clock" with LeBron. Miami can always just keep Wiggins and trade him next year as an expiring.

I think guys like Cam Johnson or Herb Jones would cost the Lakers more than Wiggins. Jerami Grant has a longer deal than Wiggins. Harrison Barnes or Keldon Johnson might be options, but I'm not sure San Antonio wants to swap them for what the Lakers seem willing to offer for Wiggins.

I'm not sure the Lakers have a better option than Wiggins.