07-31-2025, 02:19 PM
(07-31-2025, 10:35 AM)omahen Wrote: I think you made a very good point on Lakers. I am busting my head wondering what the long term plan is for them. They had a very good offseason and they covered the biggest holes. They lost DFS, but I think Smart will be better in same role, assuming he will be reasonably healthy. He was a much better defender and he can provide much more on offense. Ayton, even in his worst version, is an upgrade at center compared to last season. LaRavia is likely another decent rotation option, probably also better than Goodwin.
But what is the plan for next season? Smart and Ayton have player options and if they play well, they will most likely reject them looking for more money. As they don't have their bird rights, the only way to give that is using cap space. LeBron is most likely gone, so they will also need to replace him. They will have 3 FRP to trade (assuming they don't trade a FRP until TDL this season), but most of the team is expiring and the only contract that could be used in a trade is Vando. Hachimura is also expiring and will likely look at least for a similar deal. So, no matter how Smart and Ayton work out, they will be looking for a center, starting level PF (LeBron replacement) and starting level SF (Rui or replacement) and a 3-D (Smart or replacement) guy. If they let everyone walk in FA, Smart and Ayton reject their options (if they keep their options, we can assume they were not really playing well and they need a replacement anyway) and keep Reaves cap hold, they can operate with some 55 - 60 mil of cap space. If they are able to resign Smart, Rui and Ayton (or their replacements) at MLE level, they will only have some 15 mil left to replace LeBron. If they spend most of their cap space on one guy (lets say they strike a trade into cap space for Giannis or Jokic), they will have huge limitations building a team of decent supporting cast around them. They really lack a couple of guys on their rookie contracts, that would be able to be in a rotation.
FA market outlook is pretty bad for next offseason. There is one player, that still didn't sign extension and would be an ideal fit next to Luka and Reaves - Bridges (NY one). But again, it would be difficult to throw a big offer to him that might make NY walk away (they are already expensive) and then fill all other positions of need.
Things tend to work out for the Lakers. I know they have had some really poor runs but stars tend to want to play there. With LAC being a real franchise now they also have competition now in LA, but LAL are still the kings of the city.
So a star could force his way there. It is tricky though. AD forced his way there. NO did get a pretty solid return. A young Ingram, a young Lonzo, Josh Hart, draft picks. That is not equal value for AD, but solid. AD was saying he would sign there next year regardless. The only real assets (lets assume Reeves is not included) the Lakers have are distant first round picks. They are Lakers picks, so a team may not be willing to bet on Luka and X star failing. Trying to think if that type of package gets anywhere close for Jaren Jackson, Bam, or players in that range. I have difficulty believing it.
It is real tricky. The west is young and deep. Having a Superstar though is the hardest thing to get, so they did the most difficult thing already.