Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[Tyler]

Playing with that Luka guy could fetch him a lot more money next season...

But playing with that LeBron guy means he will almost certainly be the next scapegoat in LA.

[Chicagojk]

Playing with that Luka guy could fetch him a lot more money next season...

I think he winds up in LAL.  If not, the Lakers plans make no sense.  Ayton is a bahamas guy and went to school in Arizona.   I don't see him bypassing LA for the winters in Indy.    Just a guess though.

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
The Pacers now possess the full mid-level exception after letting Myles Turner walk.

Indiana originally offered Deandre Ayton a four-year, $133 million max contract in 2022.

Ayton’s projected value right now is the MLE, so Indiana could swoop in and become a real threat here.

[Winter]

Playing with that Luka guy could fetch him a lot more money next season...

Imagining the Lakers grossly over-paying Ayton makes me kind of tingly all over.

[SleepingHero]

I think he winds up in LAL.  If not, the Lakers plans make no sense.  Ayton is a bahamas guy and went to school in Arizona.   I don't see him bypassing LA for the winters in Indy.    Just a guess though.

I don’t think the Lakers ever thought the Bucks would S/W Dame and trade for Turner.


IND can give Ayton 7 mil more and say “we were just in the finals and want you to start on our team”

[cow]

I wonder how many seasons more Giannis will play with the Bucks.

[Kidnova]

@NBATradeReport
Miami Heat will look to sign Damian Lillard as he recovers from his Achilles injury

I imagine Lebron is already on the phone with him.

[cow]

Dame loves Nico, right?

[Smitty]

I think he winds up in LAL.  If not, the Lakers plans make no sense.  Ayton is a bahamas guy and went to school in Arizona.   I don't see him bypassing LA for the winters in Indy.    Just a guess though.

He has 2 options the way I see it. A full 4-year MLE with Pacers (If the Pacers even want him) or a 1+1 PO deal with LA, starting at 8M this year, betting on himself and having Luka elevate him for a bigger contract next season.

[SleepingHero]

Dame loves Nico, right?

He does. And he did everything in his power to get Kidd hired in Portland…

[mvossman]

If Ayton goes to Pacers, Reaves for Gafford?

[cow]

He has 2 options the way I see it. A full 4-year MLE with Pacers (If the Pacers even want him) or a 1+1 PO deal with LA, starting at 8M this year, betting on himself and having Luka elevate him for a bigger contract next season.

Does Myles going to the Bucks give the Pacers the non-Taxpayer MLE?  If so, giving Ayton four years of that seems a little nuts.

He does. And he did everything in his power to get Kidd hired in Portland…

Good point. The goal should really be the season after next so Nico should be on the phone working his magic.

[omahen]

He has 2 options the way I see it. A full 4-year MLE with Pacers (If the Pacers even want him) or a 1+1 PO deal with LA, starting at 8M this year, betting on himself and having Luka elevate him for a bigger contract next season.

It was already reported when he was traded, that he prefers a short term deal (1+1). I would be very surprised if he doesn't sign with Lakers. They simply skipped all those centers yesterday. 

With Hali out and now losing Turner, it is highly unlikely they will be anywhere near contenders this season. So is it better for them to lock themselves in someone like Ayton or perhaps rather test drive a young center and make a move next season?

[Tyler]

If Ayton goes to Pacers, Reaves for Gafford?

Reaves, their 31 1st, and what else? They desperately need a center and without Ayton they have no real FA options. No need to bail them out.

[omahen]

Reaves, their 31 1st, and what else? They desperately need a center and without Ayton they have no real FA options. No need to bail them out.

And you think such a trade would make Lakers better or worse?

[Smitty]

It was already reported when he was traded, that he prefers a short term deal (1+1). I would be very surprised if he doesn't sign with Lakers. They simply skipped all those centers yesterday. 

With Hali out and now losing Turner, it is highly unlikely they will be anywhere near contenders this season. So is it better for them to lock themselves in someone like Ayton or perhaps rather test drive a young center and make a move next season?

I know there's been some 'connecting dots' stuff with Ayton to Indy, but I also have a hard time seeing it. Ultimately, I think he does a 1+1 deal to play with Luka & LeBron. Lot of teams with capspace next year. Let Luka get you paid...

[Tyler]

It was already reported when he was traded, that he prefers a short term deal (1+1). I would be very surprised if he doesn't sign with Lakers. They simply skipped all those centers yesterday. 

With Hali out and now losing Turner, it is highly unlikely they will be anywhere near contenders this season. So is it better for them to lock themselves in someone like Ayton or perhaps rather test drive a young center and make a move next season?

Ayton can do a 1+1 in Indy for double the money that LA can offer. 

And sure, LA skipped all of the other centers yesterday because Ayton becoming available changed everything. Now, the Indy job opening up changes everything again. 

Ayton signed a max offer sheet with Indy just a few years ago, so the interest is clearly mutual. He may well end up in LA, but I have no doubt that he's talking to Indy right now.

[SleepingHero]

If Ayton goes to Pacers, Reaves for Gafford?

No thanks.

[cow]

If Ayton goes to Pacers, Reaves for Gafford?

[Tyler]

And you think such a trade would make Lakers better or worse?

I hope it makes them worse. That's still the market price.