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

[F Gump]

If we do a trade with the Hawks, it'll probably be them absorbing Gafford into that big TPE they have
And they have the Lakers 22nd pick

Nah, not Gafford. He's worth way more as a trade chip. 

But maybe Martin for that pick would be a fit. I do expect ATL will be very open to trading it since they have another (better) FRP in this draft. The same probably applies to BKN pick at 19.

[Jym]

Nah, not Gafford. He's worth way more as a trade chip. 

But maybe Martin for that pick would be a fit. I do expect ATL will be very open to trading it since they have another (better) FRP in this draft. The same probably applies to BKN pick at 19.

Are you talking about Caleb?
Am I missing a Martin?

[Chicagojk]

If we do a trade with the Hawks, it'll probably be them absorbing Gafford into that big TPE they have
And they have the Lakers 22nd pick

Hopefully the Mavs have had conversations on what role Gafford would be ok with and what he is looking for in $.   I think the 22 pick is too late.   They have the 13th pick.  This feels a little early.  I think the Hawks wound up with a center like Gafford to pair with their smaller center and a shooter in the draft, that could be a real good offseason for them.

I am not crazy about the 22nd pick, so would probably pass.   #13 pick would be a different story.   Just not sure if that is realistic.

[omahen]

LBJ will opt out and sign a 1+1 with LA for max money, or very close to it. Bank on that.

I think Luka waits a year until summer 2026 for new contract, at which time he will opt out and then be a complete UFA who can pick wherever he wants to finish his career. He will then sign a 2+1, with the plan to opt out after 2 seasons and do a max-max-max deal with that same team. It could be LA, but I don't see that outcome as a given because the money isn't hugely different for him, and he has a chance to decide where and with whom he will play for the rest of his career. Full control.

While the idea of LA taking a tank year has some logic, I don't think LBJ or Luka would be happy campers with a game plan to lose lots of games. And what the stars want, the stars get. So imo LA mgmt will have to try to find a way to winning instead.

It was reported (Shams, if I remember correctly) that LBJ will pick his option. Things might change in a month, but so far we have that. Lakers should know they can't build a contender around maxed out Bron and Luka is entering his prime, really wanting to win now. They can ride the LeBron train as he brings huge money, but Luka will imho walk in a couple of years if they choose this option. 

Every indication from Luka and media guys was that Luka intends to sign an extension. If he doesn't, Lakers would be smart to consider trading him to a team where he is willing to sign an extension. Letting him walk for nothing would be a disaster. My bet is on a 2+1 extension this summer, which gives Lakers a 2 year window to build a contender around him (even though he would have 3 years on his deal, they would be smart to trade him before his next contract expires, if they don't have a contending level team by then). I think Luka will enter years where he will really want to win. 

Tank is of course a theoretical "idea" - given only in a case if LeBron walks. LeBron will not walk away from his 50 million to sign for MLE somewhere and good luck to anyone convincing Luka to sit out a season in his prime so they can be really bad. Lakers will be a playoff level team next season, as they have been this one. I just find it unlikely they will be able to close the gap against current contenders.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Hopefully the Mavs have had conversations on what role Gafford would be ok with and what he is looking for in $.   I think the 22 pick is too late.   They have the 13th pick.  This feels a little early.  I think the Hawks wound up with a center like Gafford to pair with their smaller center and a shooter in the draft, that could be a real good offseason for them.

I am not crazy about the 22nd pick, so would probably pass.   #13 pick would be a different story.   Just not sure if that is realistic.

I'm with you, but I really want Dyson.

[omahen]

I'm with you, but I really want Dyson.

You can want him as much as you want, but Atlanta will not trade him, unless you offer Cooper Flagg to them.

[Mavs2021]

Hopefully the Mavs have had conversations on what role Gafford would be ok with and what he is looking for in $.   I think the 22 pick is too late.   They have the 13th pick.  This feels a little early.  I think the Hawks wound up with a center like Gafford to pair with their smaller center and a shooter in the draft, that could be a real good offseason for them.

I am not crazy about the 22nd pick, so would probably pass.   #13 pick would be a different story.   Just not sure if that is realistic.

Doesn´t feel like that to me. I think after the top #4, it becomes wide open. If you get me Traore, Denim or Fleming, I think there is a decent chance, one of them ends up being a top 5 player from this class.

Klay/Gafford for Anthony/Goga/#16/#25 would be an interesting trade for the Mavs.

[Chicagojk]

I'm with you, but I really want Dyson.

Well he has a brother who will probably be in next years draft

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

You can want him as much as you want, but Atlanta will not trade him, unless you offer Cooper Flagg to them.

That's a huge overreaction.  Long term they'll have to move either Trae or Dyson.  They're left with the same dilemma they had with Murray.  They have one undersized C on their roster.  Trae lobs to Gaff would be incredible for them.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Doesn´t feel like that to me. I think after the top #4, it becomes wide open. If you get me Traore, Denim or Fleming, I think there is a decent chance, one of them ends up being a top 5 player from this class.

Klay/Gafford for Anthony/Goga/#16/#25 would be an interesting trade for the Mavs.

Sorry, that package really wouldn't enhance this roster at all; none of those players would sniff the rotation.  I think Anthony has become a spare. Goga has been waived how many times?  In this shallow draft, do you think picks #16 and #25 would ever be anything to this roster?

[omahen]

That's a huge overreaction.  Long term they'll have to move either Trae or Dyson.  They're left with the same dilemma they had with Murray.  They have one undersized C on their roster.  Trae lobs to Gaff would be incredible for them.

I don't see why Trae and Dyson couldn't play together. While they do have one center on the roster, he is their starter and pay like one. If anything, they need a back-up center. Unless of course they move on from Okongwu too

[Chicagojk]

Summary of the athletic reporter for the athletic on the Lakers

• ⁠Walker Kessler is available, but will be costly. LA contacted Utah about Kessler last season and it was 2 first rounders
• ⁠LA will have to upgrade the roster to appease Luka and show him roster moves.
• ⁠He believes Luka will sign an extension with the Lakers.
• ⁠Buha believes the Lakers will do something “aggressive.” There is urgency and pressure on the Lakers front office.
• ⁠The “breadcrumbs” suggest that CP3 will come back to LA. He’s been on the Lakers radar for the last two years.
• ⁠The Lakers would be interested in a Lonzo reunion, but they have to factor the health aspect, which can be a cautious thing.
• ⁠A Suggs trade will likely have to include Reaves.
• ⁠Brook Lopez could likely become a non tax payers MLE target for a contender.

[michaeltex]

Summary of the athletic reporter for the athletic on the Lakers

• ⁠Walker Kessler is available, but will be costly. LA contacted Utah about Kessler last season and it was 2 first rounders
• ⁠LA will have to upgrade the roster to appease Luka and show him roster moves.
• ⁠He believes Luka will sign an extension with the Lakers.
• ⁠Buha believes the Lakers will do something “aggressive.” There is urgency and pressure on the Lakers front office.
• ⁠The “breadcrumbs” suggest that CP3 will come back to LA. He’s been on the Lakers radar for the last two years.
• ⁠The Lakers would be interested in a Lonzo reunion, but they have to factor the health aspect, which can be a cautious thing.
• ⁠A Suggs trade will likely have to include Reaves.
• ⁠Brook Lopez could likely become a non tax payers MLE target for a contender.

If I was Luka, I'd be like "What else ya got?" because this sounds like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I don't see why Trae and Dyson couldn't play together. While they do have one center on the roster, he is their starter and pay like one. If anything, they need a back-up center. Unless of course they move on from Okongwu too

How would it be ANY different than with Trae/Murray, which was a disaster?  Okongwu is at $15m.  Gaff is at $14.3m.  ATL has $40m in space.  They can roll with both this season, then resign Gaff and move Okongwu in the offseason.

[david75090]

lol.  Watch basketball.

Yeah, lol. That's the best idea you've come up with so far. Personally, if I was in charge of the Mavs, I'd keep my young center and the Hawks can keep their poor shooting backup PG.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Yeah, lol. That's the best idea you've come up with so far. Personally, if I was in charge of the Mavs, I'd keep my young center and the Hawks can keep their poor shooting backup PG.

...and that is one of a million reasons why you are not

[Mavs2021]

Summary of the athletic reporter for the athletic on the Lakers

• ⁠Walker Kessler is available, but will be costly. LA contacted Utah about Kessler last season and it was 2 first rounders
• ⁠LA will have to upgrade the roster to appease Luka and show him roster moves.
• ⁠He believes Luka will sign an extension with the Lakers.
• ⁠Buha believes the Lakers will do something “aggressive.” There is urgency and pressure on the Lakers front office.
• ⁠The “breadcrumbs” suggest that CP3 will come back to LA. He’s been on the Lakers radar for the last two years.
• ⁠The Lakers would be interested in a Lonzo reunion, but they have to factor the health aspect, which can be a cautious thing.
• ⁠A Suggs trade will likely have to include Reaves.
• ⁠Brook Lopez could likely become a non tax payers MLE target for a contender.

Surely there is money in a "dumb things a Lakers reporter suggested"-account.

A Suggs trade will likely have to include Reaves. LOOOOOOL. I´m Orlando the only Suggs trade, I do with the Lakers is for Luka. Reaves: what an idiotic suggestion.

I wonder if there is an NBA fans class action lawsuit due to psychological damage sufferred from idiotic Lakers fantasy trades related to Nico Harrison being an utter moron.

[david75090]

...and that is one of a million reasons why you are not

True, I don't have your vast knowledge of the game. The rest of us can only aspire to have your basketball mind.

[omahen]

Summary of the athletic reporter for the athletic on the Lakers

• ⁠Walker Kessler is available, but will be costly. LA contacted Utah about Kessler last season and it was 2 first rounders
• ⁠LA will have to upgrade the roster to appease Luka and show him roster moves.
• ⁠He believes Luka will sign an extension with the Lakers.
• ⁠Buha believes the Lakers will do something “aggressive.” There is urgency and pressure on the Lakers front office.
• ⁠The “breadcrumbs” suggest that CP3 will come back to LA. He’s been on the Lakers radar for the last two years.
• ⁠The Lakers would be interested in a Lonzo reunion, but they have to factor the health aspect, which can be a cautious thing.
• ⁠A Suggs trade will likely have to include Reaves.
• ⁠Brook Lopez could likely become a non tax payers MLE target for a contender.

Thanks for posting this. Kessler would be close to ideal, but Lakers have been after him before and Utah didn't bite. Knecht, 2031 and a pick swap or two is not a bad package. Would some other team offer more? He is up for extension and could command a lot, if he has a good season. 

I don't really care about CP3, he would be deep rotation imho. Not sure where the need is if Reaves stays. I guess a vet min replacement for Gabe Vincent role. Unless Lakers are thinking about trading Reaves. Lonzo is probably a cheap secondary target, again probably makes sense only if Reaves is out. In theory he should be a good fit with Luka.

Orlando is one of the teams that desperately need offense and Reaves could be interesting for them. Suggs is an excellent defender but not great offensively. Again in theory an excellent fit next to Luka. Suggs has a 30 mil salary and Reaves has 12 mil before jumping into 30 mil range next season if he has a good season. Hachimura would be another interesting name for them due to his excellent shooting. I saw a separate rumor that Orlando is offering Black, Isaac and their pick for an upgrade. Probably looking at guards. I doubt Cleveland (Garland) or Atlanta (Young) would bite for such a package. How about a three team deal:
Orl: Reaves and Maxi or Vincent
Uta: Black (#6 pick from 2023) and Orlando pick (#16)
LAL: Kessler and Isaac

[omahen]

How would it be ANY different than with Trae/Murray, which was a disaster?  Okongwu is at $15m.  Gaff is at $14.3m.  ATL has $40m in space.  They can roll with both this season, then resign Gaff and move Okongwu in the offseason.

Because Murray wanted to run his own team and is not that interested in playing defense anymore, while Daniels seems to be the opposite? Not sure why I am even discussing. No team would trade an all nba defender for a back-up center.