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

[SleepingHero]

Interesting. Two things could be in play. Either they need the full MLE or they find full 4 year MLE for DFS too rich (he will be 36 after this deal). I wonder how they will replace him, as he was the key defensive player.

I think they are just prioritizing a center much more than a 3 and D wing right now with their MLE. They do still have Rui, Vando, and Knecht as wings. Their level of shooting and defensive ability varies between them, but the Lakers have zero passable centers.

I think Dodo's agent read the market extremely well here and is going to get him a full 4 year MLE deal. The Lakers are going to lose out though. They traded 3 2nds for DFS and are probably going to lose him for nothing.