What Should Lakers Do Next?

[JRoy]

Pass for POR. No interest in helping LAL.

[giberish]

Extend Luka if at all possible.

Decide if you're resigning Reaves. I assume yes - you need at least a solid 2nd offense-creator with Luka (LeBron doesn't matter long-term).

Don't panic. You don't need to trade everything that isn't nailed down in extreme moves. You don't have that many assets so you need to wait until you get good values and good fits in trades. That might take a couple of years.

[babyjax13]

IMHO they should try these trades:

They get Dosunmu (G) and Phillips (F) from CHICAGO, they give them Knetch (Wing) and Kebler (FC), this last one gets buyout.
A same offer could be made to PORTLAND for Thybulle (Wing) and Reath (FC).

They get Isaac (FC) from ORLANDO, they give Vincent (PG) and a pair of/if available 2nd picks or even their 1st. Thus guy is young, can defend anywhere on the court and can catch layups and I believe can develope hitting open shots from the corners.


Plus, they can wait and see how Reeves does this next season and in playoffs to decide to trade him, with Rui, for a 2-way star that become available and fits better.

Neither Chicago nor Orlando are considering that. Could maybe see the Portland deal.

[basketballwacko2]

What do you guys think the lakers should do next?

I think they have at least 6 playoff rotation guys: Luka, Lebron, Reaves, Ayton, Smart, Rui

2 fringe/potential guys with LaRavia and Gabe

Who could they get with expirings in Gabe and or Kleber and Knecht

Can also move swaps and a 2nd

Who are some guys with 1-2 years left that a team may move off for expiring(s) and Knecht

Portland seems ideal with Thybulle and RW3
Kcp could make sense, but not a tall defender
Wiggins
Derrick jones jr?

Maybe the buyout system gifts them another player for small money.

[gswhoops]

Two questions that are going to determine the answer here:

(1) Are they willing to take on salary?
(2) Are they willing to trade lightly-protected/unprotected future picks?

Knecht is fine, but he's not the needle mover that most Lakers fans think. If they want to pursue someone serious they've gotta put picks on the table.

1) 1-2 year salary
2) No picks, only Knecht+expirings

I don’t see the Lakers getting back anyone worthwhile with these parameters

[nzahir]

I think they should ask for D. Brooks,
alternatively I personally really like something between Reaves for Eason/Adams for both teams, I'm not sure how the trade would balance out but I think both teams have the pieces to get the deal done, if they were interested.

I would love Brooks, but I don’t see a realistic deal

If Hou needs something it’s another playmaker and I’m not trading Reaves for Brooks

Brooks is on the Suns.

My bad, brain fart

I still dont see the Suns doing it, seems like they wanted Brooks and I don't think we move a 1st for him

We want to go into the summer with 26, 30, and 32 1st to trade I believe

Rui for Brooks is an option that may make sense for both teams, but Rui is our best 3 pt shooting role guy

Too lateral of a move I think? Unless suns want to take Knecht and an expiring+2nd+swap in 28 and 31 for Grayson Allen (but cuts into salary in 27)

[nzahir]

They need wings, especially 2 way or 3 and D types.

The current roster is dearth of them.

Yes, but who?

In terms of playoff rotation guys, we basically just have Smart

I have faith in Laravia, but lets see

I would like to upgrade Gabe, but he proved valuable in 2022 with Miami at least

Rui is not consistent enough on defense, but grew last year

[nzahir]

IMHO they should try these trades:

They get Dosunmu (G) and Phillips (F) from CHICAGO, they give them Knetch (Wing) and Kebler (FC), this last one gets buyout.
A same offer could be made to PORTLAND for Thybulle (Wing) and Reath (FC).

They get Isaac (FC) from ORLANDO, they give Vincent (PG) and a pair of/if available 2nd picks or even their 1st. Thus guy is young, can defend anywhere on the court and can catch layups and I believe can develope hitting open shots from the corners.


Plus, they can wait and see how Reeves does this next season and in playoffs to decide to trade him, with Rui, for a 2-way star that become available and fits better.

Neither Chicago nor Orlando are considering that. Could maybe see the Portland deal.

Why wouldnt Chi take it? Ayo isnt that special, also he is an expiring

We wouldnt wan Isaac, too many years left and one of the worst injury risks in the nba

Thybulle and Reath/Williams would be nice

Reath is a very poor defender, but a stretch big would be nice to have. Can throw Vando in there to be a defensive playmaker next to him?

[nzahir]

I think they should see what the team looks like after 30 games. Is LeBron the same? Is Knecht anything? Is Smart washed? Does Ayton still suck unbelievably? If they get good answers maybe they make some moves around the edges, if they get a bad answer (or answers) address the thing that isn't working out. My bet is Ayton still sucks and they'll need to look for a center.

This is the likely outcome and probably the prudent idea

The core is set

And if its looking good, then go get the last 1-2 guys needed

Backup C shouldnt be too tough

Then at least 1 more perimter defensive minded guy

And if its looking horrible for some reason, then will need a major shakeup

[dcstanley]

They can make a small deal for guys like Highsmith/Thybulle or trade their expirings for guys with longer contracts like KCP or Brooks.

Their expirings will have more value at the deadline. If teams like the Grizzlies, Suns, Heat, Clippers, etc are struggling there are deals to be made for guys like KCP, Brooks, Wiggins, DJJ.

[babyjax13]

IMHO they should try these trades:

They get Dosunmu (G) and Phillips (F) from CHICAGO, they give them Knetch (Wing) and Kebler (FC), this last one gets buyout.
A same offer could be made to PORTLAND for Thybulle (Wing) and Reath (FC).

They get Isaac (FC) from ORLANDO, they give Vincent (PG) and a pair of/if available 2nd picks or even their 1st. Thus guy is young, can defend anywhere on the court and can catch layups and I believe can develope hitting open shots from the corners.


Plus, they can wait and see how Reeves does this next season and in playoffs to decide to trade him, with Rui, for a 2-way star that become available and fits better.

Neither Chicago nor Orlando are considering that. Could maybe see the Portland deal.

Why wouldnt Chi take it? Ayo isnt that special, also he is an expiring

We wouldnt wan Isaac, too many years left and one of the worst injury risks in the nba

Thybulle and Reath/Williams would be nice

Reath is a very poor defender, but a stretch big would be nice to have. Can throw Vando in there to be a defensive playmaker next to him?

Ayo is better than Knecht, they like Phillips, and Kleber is old. Throwing Vanderbilt in makes it much worse.

Orlando doesn't need a third string guards and Isaac is still great on a per minute basis.

[meekrab]

Hope and pray Luka's not a fatty washed up drunk like Niko Harrison said

[nzahir]

Neither Chicago nor Orlando are considering that. Could maybe see the Portland deal.

Why wouldnt Chi take it? Ayo isnt that special, also he is an expiring

We wouldnt wan Isaac, too many years left and one of the worst injury risks in the nba

Thybulle and Reath/Williams would be nice

Reath is a very poor defender, but a stretch big would be nice to have. Can throw Vando in there to be a defensive playmaker next to him?

Ayo is better than Knecht, they like Phillips, and Kleber is old. Throwing Vanderbilt in makes it much worse.

Orlando doesn't need a third string guards and Isaac is still great on a per minute basis.

Ayo is better, but on an expiring, meh shooter
Dont care for Phillps, they can keep
Vando is staying with us

Feels like we will have to wait for deadline

Goga or WCJ are also targets

Backup C must be adressed

Knecht+Kleber for Thybulle and Reath/Rw3 (would need to throw in Gabe) help fill both needs

Reaves, Smart, Luka, Bron, Ayton
Gabe? Laravia, Vando, Rui, Reath/Rw3

Gabe+Kleber+Knecht for KCP and 1-2 2nds?

Use a couple 2nds for Reath?

[zimpy27]

DJJ is the best target IMO

[SlimShady83]

Backup C must be adressed

Knecht+Kleber for Thybulle and Reath/Rw3 (would need to throw in Gabe) help fill both needs

Reaves, Smart, Luka, Bron, Ayton
Gabe? Laravia, Vando, Rui, Reath/Rw3

Gabe+Kleber+Knecht for KCP and 1-2 2nds?

Hayes is back up for now
how could you forget about hayes
Also RW3 from port just had surgery and is out, no go for him.

[R-DAWG]

Two questions that are going to determine the answer here:

(1) Are they willing to take on salary?
(2) Are they willing to trade lightly-protected/unprotected future picks?

Knecht is fine, but he's not the needle mover that most Lakers fans think. If they want to pursue someone serious they've gotta put picks on the table.

If I’m the Lakers, assuming Luka extends, I would be willing to take on salary for a short term upgrade and push the cap space summer a year or two, but I would only trade a future pick if it’s for a long term fit next to Luka.

Not sure if they could pull it off with apron rules and without giving up a pick, but I’d be looking into a sign and trade built around Dalton Kenchet and outgoing salary for Quentin Grimes. I like Grimes as a 3 and D fit alongside Reaves and Luka long term.

Would the Lakers go to 3 years, $60mm for Grimes? If so, they would need to find a 3rd team to absorb Vincent or Kleber and have limited 2nd rd pick ammo to do so.

[R-DAWG]

There is one LeBron deal out there that makes sense for both teams IMO and it involves Miami. And there are two versions of it.

Version 1 - Wiggins, Rozier, 1 pick or young player
Version 2 (can’t be completed until mid September) - Powell, Rozier, 1 young player, 1 pick.

Miami throws the Lakers a bunch of 2nds in both cases as the Lakers are very low on those.

In both cases, the Lakers are taking a gap year to re-stock the kitty around Luka. The only question is do they see Wiggins as a long term fit next to Luka. Keep in mind the Lakers control their pick is 26, which gives them an opportunity to re-set and pick up a valuable asset.

For Lebron - he goes to a place he has a history with a chance to compete in the wide open eastern conference. Would anyone be surprised if a team with LeBron, Bam and Tyler Herro coached by Spo ended up getting past the Hawks, Cavs and Knicks to get to the finals?

[gswhoops]

Two questions that are going to determine the answer here:

(1) Are they willing to take on salary?
(2) Are they willing to trade lightly-protected/unprotected future picks?

Knecht is fine, but he's not the needle mover that most Lakers fans think. If they want to pursue someone serious they've gotta put picks on the table.

If I’m the Lakers, assuming Luka extends, I would be willing to take on salary for a short term upgrade and push the cap space summer a year or two, but I would only trade a future pick if it’s for a long term fit next to Luka.

I think that's a totally reasonable approach; but then I think the Lakers need to temper their expectations of what Vincent/Kleber/Knecht/2nds brings back. No one is giving up a guy who's worthy of being in a playoff rotation on a fair contract for that package.

[JKiddy]

Trade Lebron to Miami for every single 1st and swap they have and Wiggins with two other young prospects to get something before he leaves town after this year.

Since you cannot win with this roster just get everything you can around Luka and increase the overall talent and future assets to be a real contender in 2027/28.

[nzahir]

DJJ is the best target IMO

I dont see LAC doing it though, unless they fall apart for some reason (injuries?)

We are city rivals in some way and hes their backup SF

If he was available though, sure

Hes not perfect, but not a lot of options

Okoro is another name, but meh and only 6'5

If were going for someone below 6'6, just go get KCP

Other route is go get a sharpshooter, such as Grayson Allen (but contract too long for Rob) and outscore teams