06-09-2025, 04:24 PM
(06-09-2025, 02:31 PM)F Gump Wrote: Oh? In essence, that plan (we will address that massive hole in our lineup in 2026 rather than now and limp along for a season) wastes a year of whatever LBJ has left, and is the last year of Luka before he's UFA.
I expect their urgency level is WAYYYY higher than that. But you may be right, who knows?
And to be clear, personally I don't favor Gaff being traded anyhow, so my opinions are not some sort of desire to find a good price for a needed trade. I think he has high value for Mavs just like for LAL and would be greatly missed if traded. The proposed Knecht-GV package wasn't even in the same universe as his actual value imo. The only reason I would consider having Reaves instead is that he might help a lot an area of need (offense creating) in DAL (in the same way Gaff's skill set is greatly needed in LA). One negative on Reaves is that he only has one year left on his deal and he might become overpriced next summer, which is a problem for a team with payroll issues.
Main thing where our difference is, I don't think Lakers are in a complete win now mode. I actually think, they have close to zero chance to win it next season, unless they pull of a magical offseason. I think Luka will sign a 3 year extension (last year PO), which gives Lakers 2 years to build a contender or Luka asks out (or walks season afterwards). I doubt Luka will waste his prime waiting for Bron to retire and I don't think Lakers can contend with Bron at max. For Lakers it is about building for after LeBron, if they want to keep Luka. Sure they will do their best to be competitive next season, but spending all their assets on (whichever) center is not bringing them closer to contention and is closing the window after LeBron retires. They will either pay big (see Mark Williams package) for a long-term center solution with upside or be imho conservative.
Unprotected FRP and Knecht is a very big price for a borderline starting center on expiring deal, who is who he is. I don't think I would do it, if I am Lakers. I wouldn't be too opposed if they did it neither. But as I said, I don't think there will be any LAL-Dal business this offseason. Or perhaps Nico has balls of steel and he does it just to show everyone he is the boss.