Whats the Lakers Next Step?

Post #21 » by **penbeast0** » Wed Jul 2, 2025 11:50 pm

So then it would depend on whether the Wiz feel Vincent and Kleber are more valuable to them than Marcus Smart. Vincent feels like a cut rate Marcus Smart; Kleber seems done.

Not sure why Washington does this unless they think Vincent is worth resigning going forward. That's the problem with saying you want to improve a player, you generally have to pay for that either with cap space, draft picks, or a positional advantage for both teams.

JHFVF07 · Post #22 » by **JHFVF07** » Wed Jul 2, 2025 11:51 pm

How far a Reaves+Kleber for White would be? 2nds? 1sts?

Forget it, they already got Simmons, that would be a really bad backourt.

Karmaloop · Post #23 » by **Karmaloop** » Wed Jul 2, 2025 11:56 pm

penbeast0 wrote:So then it would depend on whether the Wiz feel Vincent and Kleber are more valuable to them than Marcus Smart. Vincent feels like a cut rate Marcus Smart; Kleber seems done.

Not sure why Washington does this unless they think Vincent is worth resigning going forward. That's the problem with saying you want to improve a player, you generally have to pay for that either with cap space, draft picks, or a positional advantage for both teams.

That's part of the reason why I don't feel a Smart deal is likely or even remotely on the radar. He's not a big enough upgrade to justify sinking in more assets, and the Wizards probably need motivation. I'm sure the Lakers would probably prefer rolling into the season with their expiring contracts and see what shakes free at the deadline.

JHFVF07 · Post #24 » by **JHFVF07** » Wed Jul 2, 2025 11:58 pm

What about Grayson Allen? Basketball wise he would be a good guard to play with Luka.

dcstanley · Post #25 » by **dcstanley** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 12:11 am

Lebron to New York makes a lot of sense to me. I think he plays this season out, though.

Moves I would be keen on them making:
Sign Melton to vet min
Sign Horford to BAE
Trade Vincent/Kleber/2028 Swap/2030 Swap for Wiggins
Trade Vanderbilt/Protected 2031 FRP for Derrick Jones jr

Luka/Melton/Bronny
Reaves/Knecht/Goodwin
Wiggins/DJJ/Thiero
Lebron/Rui/Laravia
Ayton/Horford/Koloko

Spending a lot of assets here but no reason to believe this team isn't in the mix in the West. They played at a 55 win pace after acquiring Luka despite not having a functional center.

Edit: I actually don't think they can trade for Wiggins and stay under the 1st apron without including Rui in the deal, so that complicates things. After losing DFS I don't think they can afford to lose another 4.

SARGO127 · Post #26 » by **SARGO127** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 12:29 am

Lebron to NY for what though?

kds92 · Post #27 » by **kds92** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 12:46 am

SARGO127 wrote:Lebron to NY for what though?

OG + Robinson

Karmaloop · Post #28 » by **Karmaloop** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 1:06 am

kds92 wrote:
SARGO127 wrote:Lebron to NY for what though?

OG + Robinson

That makes no sense for LA unless they can find a 3rd team that sends value to LA for OG.

Post #29 » by **zimpy27** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 1:16 am

BAE for Lillard?

Crazy-Canuck · Post #30 » by **Crazy-Canuck** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 1:53 am

Horford BAE as a playoff tested vet behind Ayton
CP3 vet min, he plays closer to home.
Wiggins for Rui/Vincent, Lakers need a 2 way wing and Heat want out of the extra year.

Luka
Reeves
Wiggins
Bron
Ayton

Post #31 » by **DaVoiceMaster** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 2:01 am

Lakers trade Rui, Vincent, Knecht
OR
Kleber, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Knecht

Blazers trade Grant, Murrau

Vae Victus · Post #32 » by **Vae Victus** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 3:43 am

At this point, i also agree that the Lakers are just gonna sit patiently and see what deal shakes loose. Ayton fills their most dire need at C, and i think its a goddamn tragedy they didnt just give DFS the 3rd year. I think Ayton prolly woulda taken even less to be in the most ideal situation for him to rebuilt his value playing with Luke/Lebron. Lakers just keep low ball offers out for players that the can help at no cost (expirings for Wiggins/Collins types) and if no bites, just roll into the season and wait for buyout candidates to fill out the bench.

tobysunsfan · Post #33 » by **tobysunsfan** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 4:29 am

Karmaloop wrote:Just looking at the current Lakers' roster as currently constructed.

PG: Luka Doncic / Gabe Vincent / Bronny James
SG: Austin Reaves / Shake Milton / Jordan Goodwin
SF: LeBron James / Jake LaRavia / Dalton Knecht
PF: Rui Hachimura / Jarred Vanderbilt / Maxi Kleber
C: DeAndre Ayton

Clearly, the Lakers could use more size so I'd guess they probably are short one more big man. I think they're going to shop their expiring (Vincent, Milton, and Kleber) for whatever useful vet they can get that has a 2nd year on their contract. I think their ideal target would be Andrew Wiggins, but if the Heat continue to insist on Dalton Knecht or a FRP in return for him, they'll pivot elsewhere. Ideally, I think they're looking for a wing defender preferably one with a reliable jump shot. I could see them pivoting to someone like John Collins, but I can't imagine they'd give up much more than a SRP to acquire him. After that, I'd venture a guess they'll just go veteran minimum shopping. Guys like Melton, CP3, etc. will probably be discussed.

That roster is dire, not a single great defender there.

There's a reason Ayton was bought out, and he provides nothing the Lakers actually need. He can't defend and he doesn't space the floor.

Post #34 » by **zimpy27** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 4:46 am

tobysunsfan wrote:
Karmaloop wrote:Just looking at the current Lakers' roster as currently constructed.

PG: Luka Doncic / Gabe Vincent / Bronny James
SG: Austin Reaves / Shake Milton / Jordan Goodwin
SF: LeBron James / Jake LaRavia / Dalton Knecht
PF: Rui Hachimura / Jarred Vanderbilt / Maxi Kleber
C: DeAndre Ayton

Clearly, the Lakers could use more size so I'd guess they probably are short one more big man. I think they're going to shop their expiring (Vincent, Milton, and Kleber) for whatever useful vet they can get that has a 2nd year on their contract. I think their ideal target would be Andrew Wiggins, but if the Heat continue to insist on Dalton Knecht or a FRP in return for him, they'll pivot elsewhere. Ideally, I think they're looking for a wing defender preferably one with a reliable jump shot. I could see them pivoting to someone like John Collins, but I can't imagine they'd give up much more than a SRP to acquire him. After that, I'd venture a guess they'll just go veteran minimum shopping. Guys like Melton, CP3, etc. will probably be discussed.

That roster is dire, not a single great defender there.

There's a reason Ayton was bought out, and he provides nothing the Lakers actually need. He can't defend and he doesn't space the floor.

Grayson would be a good get, he'd fit the starting group.

basketballwacko2 · Post #35 » by **basketballwacko2** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 5:01 am

I think LBJ wants one more run at a title. IDK if that happens with this laker roster.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #36 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 5:02 am

kobe_vs_jordan wrote:Trading lebron seems like wasting a year of Luka to me. Lakers ended 3rd last season . Don't see why they couldn't win more if they go all on a wing defender.

Smart , KCP, Wiggins would be my targets. See what team stumbles and make trade into the season if no targets avaialbe.

Lakers also massively overachieved their point differential and clearly weren't the 3rd best team in the West.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #37 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 5:04 am

basketballwacko2 wrote:I think LBJ wants one more run at a title. IDK if that happens with this laker roster.

Titles are typically won by having a Top 5 player in the NBA, and LeBron currently shares the court with a Top 5 player in the NBA. I doubt he wants to be traded.

OKC, Denver, and Milwaukee can't or won't trade for LeBron.

nzahir · Post #38 » by **nzahir** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 5:41 am

penbeast0 wrote:So then it would depend on whether the Wiz feel Vincent and Kleber are more valuable to them than Marcus Smart. Vincent feels like a cut rate Marcus Smart; Kleber seems done.

Not sure why Washington does this unless they think Vincent is worth resigning going forward. That's the problem with saying you want to improve a player, you generally have to pay for that either with cap space, draft picks, or a positional advantage for both teams.

Gabe and Maxi+a 2nd would be it

Basically a 2nd for Smart

Then can trade Gabe or Maxi for a longer term derm to help give a team cap relief for 2-3 2nds?

Post #39 » by **penbeast0** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 5:46 am

Even a 2nd is something, and possibly enough. If I'm the team, Smart doesn't see the court much behind all the other guards we have and I use McCollum and Middleton as my vet mentors so the only issue would be whether Vincent has a good attitude about not being in the rotation without injuries or another trade. Can always cut one of them if needed too; we weren't going to resign Smart that I know of.

nzahir · Post #40 » by **nzahir** » Thu Jul 3, 2025 5:47 am

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
kobe_vs_jordan wrote:Trading lebron seems like wasting a year of Luka to me. Lakers ended 3rd last season . Don't see why they couldn't win more if they go all on a wing defender.

Smart , KCP, Wiggins would be my targets. See what team stumbles and make trade into the season if no targets avaialbe.

Lakers also massively overachieved their point differential and clearly weren't the 3rd best team in the West.

But also we were a totally different team post Luka ofc

If we had Ayton in the Minny series, we should have won it

Teams 3-7 werent too far apart from each other, more of a matchup thing