TRADE: Ayton to WAS | Hardy + 2 2nds to LAL

[omahen]

Ayton far outplayed his value last season.

But most of that was due to Luka. I will say and echo what Itzok said, but Lakers gave up their only backup C who is a legit rotation player for a bench scoring guard who cannot really play any defense.

Sandro is imho way more a C than a PF and could give Lakers a regular and decent 5-out look. I think Lakers are actually looking for a third string center, not the primary back-up.

I am not enthusiastic by the two FA options (Drummond or Looney). Valanciunas is heading back to Europe if he gets released by Denver. I would do something like Knecht to Milwaukee for Sims or Bronny to GSW for Post if LeBron decides to go to GSW. Of course if this is on the table

[omahen]

So what do they need to do to clear money for Rui or Kuminga.  I think I would go with Rui.  Neither are plus defenders but it would be an asset okay.  Can they get to that number?

Or are you looking a a Thybulle type player?

The three SRPs give them flexibility. They can probably dump Vando with them, which gets them to over 10 mil of cap space. If they can find a taker for Knecht, they get even more space. I think Rui is a much better fit than Kuminga and I don't really understand why they are even interested. But in a perfect world, they would need a better defender at the position. So perhaps they can use the 3 SRPs and any combination of Vando or expiring Hardy and Knecht for a wing on the market. 

I would love to get Thybulle and I am not sure why Lakers aren't linked to him. Probably a vet min player at this stage.

[SleepingHero]

Sandro is imho way more a C than a PF and could give Lakers a regular and decent 5-out look. I think Lakers are actually looking for a third string center, not the primary back-up.

I am not enthusiastic by the two FA options (Drummond or Looney). Valanciunas is heading back to Europe if he gets released by Denver. I would do something like Knecht to Milwaukee for Sims or Bronny to GSW for Post if LeBron decides to go to GSW. Of course if this is on the table

If Sandro is a C, then who is the Lakers starting PF? 

They took 1 step back to hopefully take 2 smaller steps forward. It’s a pretty big and silly gamble dealing Ayton (and definitely speaks a bit to how Luka viewed him)

They should have kept Smart. That would’ve solved a lot of their issues.

[SleepingHero]

@TheSteinLine


The Lakers are now pursuing both a wing defender and a backup big man after lining up a Deandre Ayton-to- Washington trade which adds $2 million in financial wiggle room for their summer business, league sources say.

More NBA from @JakeLFischer and me: tinyurl.com/3bk3v449

[Smitty]

Ayton far outplayed his value last season.

But most of that was due to Luka. I will say and echo what Itzok said, but Lakers gave up their only backup C who is a legit rotation player for a bench scoring guard who cannot really play any defense.

Mamu is their backup Center imo. Penciling him in at the 4 is out of necessity given their current roster construction.

[Smitty]

If Sandro is a C, then who is the Lakers starting PF? 

They took 1 step back to hopefully take 2 smaller steps forward. It’s a pretty big and silly gamble dealing Ayton (and definitely speaks a bit to how Luka viewed him)

They should have kept Smart. That would’ve solved a lot of their issues.

I think this move was a precursor to the next. They will land either Rui or Kuminga, or..., after using the FRP swap and/or the (now) 3 SRP’s to dump some trash and free up the money.