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

[Winter]

Oh boy. That reads to me like the beginning of an Ayton walkback from an LA writer. Things must not be as solid with Ayton to the Lakers as people thought.

Exactly. You don't need that cancer to spread after you just dropped a bundle on Luka. A "reliable" center may be around somewhere if you're willing to deal.

[SleepingHero]

Oh boy. That reads to me like the beginning of an Ayton walkback from an LA writer. Things must not be as solid with Ayton to the Lakers as people thought.

It does feel like that a bit doesn't it? 

I really REALLY hope Ayton goes to the East. Charlotte or Indiana, either works for me. Anything to make a Western Conference team weak. As long as Luka leaves the Lakers I'm happy. 

Still wish for his individual success though.

[cow]

From my favorite stats guy, since Looney and Myles are on new teams (Powell is eternal):



https://x.com/LevAkabas/status/1940123243647533143

[omahen]

Yep. I would also note the other VERY iffy assumption, which is that all Ayton needed was a change of scenery and now he will be great.

IMO the bloom is already.off that rose. WAY off. Of course Ayton could suddenly turn into a player he has never been, but odds are low no matter where he goes. His motor is too low and his self-focus is too pervasive to be seen as a good shot to bloom imo.

Not sure I saw these kind of assumptions anywhere. In majority I would think people are aware of who Ayton is. As he is, he would still be by far better center Lakers had last season and would be cost free. Lakers have other holes to patch up with their few assets.

[Smitty]

From my favorite stats guy, since Looney and Myles are on new teams (Powell is eternal):



https://x.com/LevAkabas/status/1940123243647533143

Diamonds are forever

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Yea, even the nephews on Reddit know Ayton is a bum. I'd rather he go to the Lakers than them trading for a Claxton or Kessler.

[SleepingHero]

@sam_amick
Sources tell me and @DanWoikeSports that Al Horford is also under serious consideration by the Lakers (in addition to the Warriors). As he says below, this might take some time.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Ayton Lakers is pretty sure and i hope it will be a disaster

[SleepingHero]

Yea, even the nephews on Reddit know Ayton is a bum.  I'd rather he go to the Lakers than them trading for a Claxton or Kessler.

Even if they make that trade for Claxton or Kessler, that pretty much caps them out. Not only would they have to salary match for Claxton (say Rui+stuff). They would certainly have to spend their last FRP to get either one.

Add in Reaves' extension next year for 30+mil. The Lakers are capped. Luka+Reaves+Claxton. Is that good enough in this West?

[DallasMaverick]

Not sure I saw these kind of assumptions anywhere. In majority I would think people are aware of who Ayton is. As he is, he would still be by far better center Lakers had last season and would be cost free. Lakers have other holes to patch up with their few assets.

When you’re really thirsty, even that puddle of muddy water looks pretty good.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Even if they make that trade for Claxton or Kessler, that pretty much caps them out. Not only would they have to salary match for Claxton (say Rui+stuff). They would certainly have to spend their last FRP to get either one.

Add in Reaves' extension next year for 30+mil. The Lakers are capped. Luka+Reaves+Claxton. Is that good enough in this West?

That's probably enough to have a better record than the Mavs.

[cow]

Even if they make that trade for Claxton or Kessler, that pretty much caps them out. Not only would they have to salary match for Claxton (say Rui+stuff). They would certainly have to spend their last FRP to get either one.

Add in Reaves' extension next year for 30+mil. The Lakers are capped. Luka+Reaves+Claxton. Is that good enough in this West?

Can Claxton guard three players at once?

When you’re really thirsty, even that puddle of muddy water looks pretty good.

D'Lo catching strays :p

[Kidnova]

Even if they make that trade for Claxton or Kessler, that pretty much caps them out. Not only would they have to salary match for Claxton (say Rui+stuff). They would certainly have to spend their last FRP to get either one.

Add in Reaves' extension next year for 30+mil. The Lakers are capped. Luka+Reaves+Claxton. Is that good enough in this West?

I think Reaves ultimately gets move somewhere.

[DallasMaverick]

…and in other news, Indiana is signing Salah Mejri to a 4-year deal.

[cow]

…and in other news, Indiana is signing Salah Mejri to a 4-year deal.

Legend.

Highest +/- in a playoff game by a rookie in Mavs history:

+24 - Dereck Lively II (5/1/24)
+22 - Dereck Lively II (tonight)
+22 - Marquis Daniels (4/24/04)
+18 - Dereck Lively II (5/9/24)
+17 - Salah Mejri (4/18/16)
+16 - Dereck Lively II (5/11/24)

[cow]

Via Shams:

Sources: Raptors, Jakob Poeltl reach $104M extension - via ESPN

Free agent forward Josh Minott has agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. Celtics executives finalized the new deal with Minott's agent, Aaron Turner of Verus.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Free agent sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. Hardaway had a strong season for the Pistons' resurgent 2024-25 campaign and now Denver officials finalize a deal with Mark Bartelstein of
@PrioritySports

[KillerLeft]

@ShamsCharania
Free agent sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. Hardaway had a strong season for the Pistons' resurgent 2024-25 campaign and now Denver officials finalize a deal with Mark Bartelstein of
@PrioritySports

I kind of like what Denver has been doing this summer.

[Smitty]

I kind of like what Denver has been doing this summer.

They've had a great free agency. 3-team race in the West. OKC, HOU, DEN, then everyone else.

[cow]

@ShamsCharania
Free agent sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. Hardaway had a strong season for the Pistons' resurgent 2024-25 campaign and now Denver officials finalize a deal with Mark Bartelstein of
@PrioritySports

Kind of crazy to think Timmy will be an upgrade over what MPJ gave you in the playoffs.