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  • Lakers Will Look To Buy-Out Market Amidst Slow Free Agency

    This summer’s free agency hasn’t exactly provided the fireworks that NBA fans have become accustomed to in previous years. Particularly for the Los Angeles Lakers who have not made any big moves so far, besides the signings of Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton. Due to the new salary cap stipulations, LA has found itself with little wiggle room to make any big moves. Consequently, they’ve been forced to use their limited resources to attempt to improve the roster as best they can around the margins. 

    Rumors have surfaced that the team might be potential players on the buyout market, given the slow nature of this free agency period coupled with the CBA’s limits on their spending power. This looks to be a modern trend that might become more prevalent in the coming seasons as teams and front offices adjust to life in the new collective bargaining agreement. Teams are becoming wary of dishing out large contracts, and have adopted a much more conservative approach to their spending habits. Because of the punitive nature of the salary cap’s 1st and 2nd aprons, front offices have been treading the free agent season much more lightly than in eras past. Thus, buyouts and roster cuts are becoming more of a trend. Much in line with the NFL, once teams reach a certain threshold in the salary, namely past the 1st apron, they’re often faced with making tough decisions like cuts, buyouts or trades. The looming 2nd apron, and its ensuing penalties makes it so that owners are much less eager to blow past the luxury tax and much more willing to consistently stay below it. However, unlike the NFL, the NBA is not a hard cap league, but its ultra restrictive 2nd apron almost makes it a defacto hard cap. Unless a team is fielding a surefire championship contender, an owner will almost certainly aim to stay below that 2nd apron on principle, in order to avoid its consequences. This newfound philosophy could open up new possibilities on the buyout market. 

    Lately we’ve seen guys such as Deandre Ayton, Dame Lillard, and now potentially Bradley Beal get the axe from their teams and having their contracts bought out. We’ve even heard whispers of LeBron James being a potential buyout candidate so that he can go ring-chase on another contender, presumably in the Eastern Conference. That scenario is highly unlikely. With that said, all of these scenarios would have viewed as taboo in years past, when the NBA was a much more player’s friendly league, and owners were usually forced to pony up the money even after dishing out a bad contract. But tides have turned, and the NBA has started to resemble more that of the NFL, where owners are more willing to dump a player’s contract so that they can reset their books or avoid hitting that 2nd apron. Definitely a trend to look at moving forward, as well as something that can dramatically change the way players, agents and front office executives alike view the concept of a player’s worth.

    With Beal being a potential buyout candidate, the Lakers have been said to be one of the teams interested in signing the veteran guard. Additionally, the Clippers, Warriors and Bucks are also rumored to be in the mix, should Beal become available. From a Lakers’ viewpoint, bringing in someone like Beal would offer obvious benefits as well as potential challenges. To start with, the Lakers, or any team for that matter could benefit from the services of a seasoned scorer like Beal. He’s still someone who can put the ball in the hole, even in his thirties, after averaging over 17 points last season on a shade under 50% shooting. He did this mostly as a third option, playing behind Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on the Phoenix Suns. Bringing him on board the Lakers roster, however, would likely require some drastic changes. Namely either bringing Beal off the bench, or relegating fan-favorite Austin Reaves to the bench. A starting lineup of Luka, LeBron, Reaves, Ayton and Beal would quite simply fail to provide the defensive capacity to win games consistently. Not to mention, one of Reaves or Beal would be forced to play out of position. You might even consider trading AR in that instance for defensive reinforcement on the perimeter. Such as for New Orleans’ Herb Jones. 

    The Lakers, for their part have maintained their bi-annual exception of roughly $5M open so that they have the flexibility to make a play at a Bradley Beal or any similar cap casualty. Beal however, looks poised to sign with the LA Clippers should he receive a buyout. So this might be a moot point. But the Lakers will likely head into the season with the bi-annual exception in hand should any player that fits a need emerge as a buyout option. They’ll likely have to make a roster cut in order to open up roster space for such a move; perhaps someone like Shake Milton would be that player. In any case, LA looks to be positioning itself as a prime destination for midseason waiver wire acquisitions, should any team decide to shed salary at any point in the coming season. In this new era of NBA salary cap, you never know what players may become available at a given moment.

    In other news, the Lakers’ Summer Leaguers topped the Spurs in their third and final contest of the California Classic by a final score of 89-88. The team made a late fourth quarter surge, as they played poorly for most of the game, yet somehow managed to stay within striking distance. NBA hopeful Darius Bazley led the way with an impressive 27 points and 13 boards. 2nd year pro Dalton Knecht led the late push, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, giving him 25 points for the night, on 4-8 from beyond the arc, to go with 8 rebounds. Bronny James had a meek showing scoring just 2 points on 1-5 shooting from the field in 15 minutes of action. It was good to see Dalton get his groove back, as his three ball came alive in the fourth quarter. Hopefully he can keep it going for the rest of SL, and eventually the regular season. The team, though did not play exceptionally well tonight, after they were out-executed by a disciplined Spurs team for most of the contest. They did manage to catch them off guard to end the game and cap off an improbable comeback. With that said, you’d like to see the team play better during the first half and build leads that they can sustain. It was a good game, and hopefully the team will keep progressing into the tournament. They’ll now head to Vegas, where they’ll face the Dallas Mavericks, and number one overall pick Cooper Flagg, as both teams kick off their Summer League Tournament. Hopefully the kids stay hungry and put forth a strong showing against the talented young Mavericks. Namely for the guys who will be on the big club, we want to see them show out. Go Lakers. 

  • Young Lakers Show Out in California Classic

    Lakers had a strong showing during their second summer league outing, defeating the Miami Heat 103-83. Coming on the heels of a loss to the Golden state Warriors in the first game of the California Classic, the Lakers’ Summer Leaguers rebounded nicely with a solid win against Miami’s youngsters. Forward Cole Swider led the way with 20 points in 27 minutes of action, shooting 7-10 from the field. LA also recieved a big boost from Darius Bazley, the 6th year NBA man who’s currently with the Lakers’ Summer League squad with the hope of rehabilitating his value around the league after missing all of last season. Blazley has looked promising so far in SL, scoring 16 points in this game, but it’s unlikely that the Lakers will be able to sign him to a team contract given that they already have guaranteed salary committed to 14 players. Bronny James had a decent showing, scoring 10 points in 11 minutes of play. He’s still being gradually worked into the lineup, after missing the first SL game, and will likely continue to see his minutes go up as his conditioning gets better. It’s encouraging to see Bronny have a good outing, seeing as how he was fairly disappointing all of last season. However, it remains to be seen how he fares against real NBA talent, in year 2. Summer League after all, is glorified exhibition basketball. With that said you do want to see your young prospects show out, as they aren’t exactly going against the stiffest competition.

    For me, the big story so far has been that of Dalton Knecht, who has greatly struggled through the first two games of SL action. After scoring 10 points on a paltry 3-13 shooting (0-6 from three) against Golden state during the California Classic opener, Knecht came back to score just 4 points on 2-7 shooting against Miami. His defense however has looked pretty good, albeit against Summer Leaguers. You’d like to see his shot come around, as that is the only true strength of his game at this moment, and the only thing keeping him from being a complete negative on the court. With that said, I think it’s too early to judge. We saw him shoot the three-ball exceptionally well at certain points last season, but also endured stretches of inconsistency. I think he will get it going offensively during Summer League and eventually start hitting his shots. But given that he’s a 24 year old former first rounder, and a second year pro, it would be ideal to see Dalton crush it against less experienced competition in SL. Hopefully he gets it going as the SL action ramps up. The main thing to look for though is the defense. It’s crucial for Dalton to make the necessary strides towards becoming a legitimate NBA defender, particularly when it comes to his defensive stance on the perimeter and his role as a team defender. He often looked lost last season in both departments. It will be imperative for Knecht to bring his defense up to near the level of his offense, in order to gain Head Coach JJ Redick’s trust and establish himself as a regular in the rotation.

    One area of disappointment for me regarding the Lakers’ Summer League group has been their lack of a floor general. Undrafted guard Augustas Marčiulionis (son of former star sixth man Šarūnas Marčiulionis) who the Lakers signed to an exhibit-10 contract will likely not be able to participate in Summer League due to injury. I was looking forward to seeing him in action, as his college tape at St. Mary’s flashed some of his upside as a playmaker and lead guard. I also think that players like Knecht fare much better when playing off of a great ballhandler, such as Luka or AR. With that said, you still want to see better output on Knecht’s part, and his shooting has certainly raised some, if not urgent, concerns. Thankfully Bronny looked decent, although on limited minutes, and the Lakers were able to capture their first win of Summer Exhibition ball. Not that these games are incredibly meaningful, but as long as the young guys are looking good, that is certainly cause for optimism. Player development is crucial for the young Lakers, and we can only hope that new ownership will place a strong emphasis on their in-house player growth. It will be essential moving forward.

    The Lakers will play San Antonio on Tuesday, to cap off the third contest of the California Classic. After that the team will head to Vegas for the Summer League tournament, starting Thursday. Essentially, these first three games are merely warmups for the Summer League Exhibition Tournament in Vegas on July 10-18. Lets hope the players catch their stride and have a strong showing, particularly those with NBA prospects. The Lakers need as much of a youth infusion as they can get, and any newcomers to their rotation will be greatly welcomed. Hopefully the kids will show some flashes and put on a show. Go Lakers.

  • Lakers Fill Holes In Free Agency

    It took them a moment, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ summer of free agency got off the ground on Wednesday after the addition of center Deandre Ayton. Ayton, who was bought out last Sunday by the Portland Trailblazers, went through the waivers process which he cleared on Wednesday. Shortly after, he inked a 2 year/$16M contract (player option on year 2) with the Lakers to be their starting center. The decision came after a few days of speculation regarding where Ayton would land. The Warriors, Pacers, Bucks and Lakers were all reported to be in the mix. With Golden States having its sights set on veteran Al Horford, and with the Bucks having signed former Pacer pivot Myles Turner, the competition for Ayton came down to Los Angeles and Indiana. It was suggested that Ayton might have gone for a situation such as what Indiana was offering, one where he could command the offensive spotlight (following Turner’s departure and Tyrese Haliburton’s achilles injury) and maximize his post touches. An empty canvas to feast upon. However, the Purple and Gold allure was too much for the former Blazers big man to pass up on, who will now get to play opposite in the pick and roll from Luka Dončić and LeBron James. It should also be noted that Ayton’s agent, Billy Duffy, also represents Luka Dončić (as well as Jaxson Hayes: more on him later), which almost certainly played at least a minor role in the signing. An agent’s influence should never be underestimated in these scenarios, particularly when it comes to their ability to steer a player to a particular destination. 

    Ayton is by no means a perfect player. Nor was he penciled in by most pundits to land with LA at the start of free agency, when he was still under contract with Portland. I certainly didn’t mention him during my free agent targets entry, but things move quickly in the NBA. One thing Ayton has going for him is youth; at 26 years of age, he is much younger than the other crop of free agents presumed to be of interest to the Lakers. Brook Lopez is 37. Al Horford is 39. Clint Capela is 31. None of those guys, for all of their virtues, meet LAs preference for youth. Ayton could in theory be a longterm fit for LA, provided that he has a strong showing in 2026, after which he will more than likely opt-out of his player option. The same can’t be said for the other players in question. 

    As far as on-court fit with Ayton, there is both bad and good. The counting stats definitely look solid. 14.4ppg to go with 10.2rpg and a block per game. He did this on 57% shooting from the field and 67% from the stripe. In all truth, great numbers for a 4th/5th option. However it’s on the other side of the ball where his deficiencies come to surface. He isn’t the greatest, or the most willing defender. Often exerting a poor effort on that department. His ball screen coverage is lackluster, opting to play in a deep drop coverage and failing to make a convincing effort to contest shots. His block rates are also poor, which is supported but the counting stats. Though he possesses all the physical tools, he doesn’t seem to consistently put forth the best effort on the defensive end. The Lakers’ coaching staff however, has proven the ability to get the most value out of centers who don’t exactly have a defensive reputation. Take Jaxson Hayes for example, who the Lakers also just resigned to 1 year/veteran’s minimum deal. Hayes posted his best rebounding numbers of his career, as well as his best shooting percentage (72%), on a team where he was the only viable center post all-star break. He filled the role admirably during that stretch, some of which can be directly attributed to the Lakers’ coaching staff and their ability to work with young players (Hayes is 25). The hope is that some of that coaching can rub off on Ayton, not to mention the responsibilities that come with playing for a team with serious playoff aspirations. Perhaps these factors can serve as positive influences for the young, inconsistent yet immensely talented Ayton.

    On the flip side, Ayton’s offense is a fairly seamless fit in LAs system. To start, his ability as a pick setter is quite excellent. Then his ability to roll, catch and finish is exactly the type of skillset you want next to Luka on the pick and roll. Ayton is a gifted athlete, with outstanding mobility for a player his size. It really is just a matter of effort with him. He will certainly bring a dimension to the pick and roll that they haven’t had since perhaps AD. Except Luka never played with AD. Ayton can set a good pick, and has great instincts for angles which allow him to maximize his rolling prowess. He’s also possesses the athletic profile (7’0” 250lbs) to finish virtually everything around the rim. His addition to the offense will certainly unlock even more avenues for players on the weak side. His roll-man gravity will help players like Rui or Dalton Knecht feast on open shots on the single side, opposite of the ball handler. Ayton can also run the floor and fill the lanes extremely well. Again, it comes down to effort. If the effort is there on both ends, we could see a hungry and motivated season from the big man, one that could presumably net him the great payday he’s seeking. But more importantly, he can help LA win some games in the immediate future. 

    The Lakers also signed 6’8” forward Jake LaRavia to a 2 year/$12M contract. LA essentially split the midlevel exception ($14.5M) into Ayton and LaRavia. The 23 year old forward just completed his third season in the NBA, one that saw him traded from Memphis to Sacramento during the trade deadline. LaRavia put up 6.9ppg and 3.9rpg on roughly 47% shooting overall and 42% from beyond the arc. He certainly has the tools to excel in the Lakers’ offense. He’ll be a nice weapon to slot on the weak side of pick and rolls, when Luka is handling the ball and Ayton is rolling hard to the rim. He can stretch a defense as well as hit the open trey when his defender is cheating. He is also a good off-ball threat, as he can cut and dive to the hoop when there’s an open lane. He’s a very good spot-up shooter and also has a decent handle to boot. At 23 years old, he’s exactly the type of acquisition this team needs. Young, somewhat raw, but with plenty of upside, and on a team-friendly deal as well. His defense though, is a question mark. He plays with great effort. He rotates purposefully, and moves his feet. However, he’s still raw on that end and still requires some work. But again, this is where the Lakers’ coaching staff can take these players’ games to the next level. It’s a great signing by LA, given that LaRavia is young, plays with the right attitude and still has plenty of room for growth. 

    Jake LaRavia will be replacing forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who inked a 4 year/$53M contract with the Houston Rockets at the start of free agency. While it certainly hurts to see DFS go (he was perhaps the team’s best defender on the perimeter), I think it was a wise move by LAs front office to have not matched Houston’s contract offer. DFS is 32, and a four-year deal at this stage, for that type of player, is not the smartest strategy for the Lakers. He’ll be 36 by the end of his contract, where the team runs the risk of him being a negative asset by then. They decided to go younger by replacing DFS with Jake LaRavia, who isn’t nearly the defender that DFS is, but in my opinion is more advanced offensively and still possesses the tools to work himself into a positive player on the defensive end. The Lakers are going younger, and are deliberately targeting players that project for the future. And I’m OK with that. Quite frankly, it’s a philosophy they should’ve adopted long ago. My only hope is that the commitment to this ideal is legitimate and not just for show, eventually reverting back to the old ways. 

    LA also retained the services of center Jaxson Hayes, who signed a 1 year/$3.6M deal to remain with the club. Hayes is who is at this point. He’s a journeyman center, who found relative success last season after Anthony Davis was traded, with Jaxson remaining as the only true center on the roster. There were certainly some positives, as we saw Hayes excel in the pick and roll, being the recipient of many Luka Dončić lobs. However, come playoff time, Jaxson was handily played off the floor. Head Coach JJ Redick infamously refused to play him late in the series, forcing the Lakers to play small, thus helping the Minnesota Timberwolves capitalize on LAs lack of size. Hayes is not a perfect player as we all know, but in a strict backup role, I believe he’s adequate. If he can duplicate his output from late last season, the Lakers will be in good shape. On a one-year contract, he’s also doesn’t hurt future cap considerations. Not the perfect option by any stretch, but on a team starved for size, Hayes certainly fits a need, albeit not perfectly. 

    Have the Lakers assembled a surefire championship roster? Probably not. But personally, I like their commitment to acquiring young pieces that can pay off in the future while also not hindering the team’s financial flexibility. And honestly, with LeBron opting-in to his albatross $52M player contract, it’s virtually impossible to properly field a legitimate contender, as he did not leave the team any breathing room to add truly significant pieces. As things stand, I believe Rob Pelinka made good use of the non tax-payer mid-level exception, by bringing in both Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. These aren’t the mega-splashy affairs that are usually attributed to the Purple and Gold, but they are solid moves considering the cap limitations. At least they aren’t panicking, and making short-sighted decisions that end up flopping in the immediate future while also hurting future flexibility (like the Russell Westbrook trade). I think the Lakers understand their position, and are doing what they can to maximize it. There will be plenty of opportunities to add the requisite pieces around Dončić once James’ contract is off the books. For now, they will roll with the existing roster and look to make tweaks around the edges, without kneecapping themselves with bad contracts. You can never predict the future, but I think the Lakers current approach is both prudent and pragmatic, if unspectacular. It remains to be seen what this current squad will bring to the table. So far they’ve done a respectable job of addressing weaknesses via free agency. Hopefully they can take that bi-annual exception and bring in another young talent at the wing. We’ll see what they do next. Go Lakers.

  • All Is Quiet On the Western Front

    2025 NBA Free Agency came out of the gates with a bang. Kevin Durant is now a Rocket. D’Angelo Russell is now a Maverick. Cam Johnson is now a Nugget. And Michael Porter Jr. is now a Brooklyn Net. Lots has changed in the past 24 hours. For the Lakers though, things seem to moving much slower, perhaps methodically. The organization has opted for a more lowkey approach, as opposed to the usual splashy affairs often associated with the Purple & Gold. I personally dig this new wrinkle to the team’s modus operandi. I like the fact that they’ve layed low and not tried to do too much, not trying to to fulfill someone else’s mandate, and so far, they seem to be staying on their own schedule at their own pace. As they should. As I’ve written before, this is not the offseason to panic. This is the offseason to start doing things responsibly, intelligently, and aggressively. It’s important to be able to compete now, while also having a firm grasp on the future in terms of flexibility. Unless something crazy pops up (another Luka trade), this should be the way moving forward. 

    Yes, it’s somewhat worrisome to still not have a center under contract. The team can’t afford to walk into 2026 without a rotational-caliber big man. JJ Redick wouldn’t even start Jaxson Hayes during these last playoffs, so a clear upgrade must be in order. With that said, I believe the team is doing the right thing by taking as wait-and-see approach. This year’s free agent crop isn’t the strongest, furthermore, with the Lakers’ current cap situation, it doesn’t make sense for Rob Pelinka to parachute into NBA Free Agency and start dishing out contracts left and right. Patience is key. As things currently stand, LA projects to be slightly under the first apron ($195.5M) of the NBA salary cap, and well under the second apron ($207.8M). The team’s cap sheet will likely exceed the luxury tax threshold of $187.9M, which means they currently have limited avenues for adding talent via free agency. LeBron opting-in to his $52M player option for 2026 compounds things a bit further, as he takes up over 30% of the cap. The Lakers front office is currently trying to thread the needle between adding talent to the current roster in order to be competitive for the upcoming season, while also maintaining a strong commitment to preserving financial flexibility beyond 2026. Not an enviable task, but it is a clear and concise plan that is being implemented. How successful the team is at executing said plan remains to be seen, but is good to see the organization plan for the future and prioritize their own agenda instead of trying to appease that of other players’. 

    The reason for the Lakers’ lack of big name activity could also be political in nature. With Mark Walter set to assume ownership of the franchise during the third or fourth quarter of 2025, after acquiring a majority stake for $10B, new leadership is about to take charge. Which will bring forth certain changes. Among those, presumably, will be a reshaping of the front office. The current brass led by Rob Pelinka may be getting “lame-ducked” in terms of adding significant salary, until Walter assumes full control later this year, and brings in his own people to run the show. We know that Walter likes to assemble a well organized and robust apparatus to run the day-to-day operations of his sports franchises, as he did upon purchasing the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012. Walter appointed Stan Kasten as team president in 2012, and relieved then long-time Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti in 2014. Soon after, Andrew Friedman was hired to serve as President Of Baseball Operations. Walter also invested heavily in team facilities as well as scouting and analytics departments. Presently, the Dodgers are regarded as one of the best, if not the best run organization in the MLB. Walter’s MO when it comes to running sports teams seems to be that of setting up a well-oiled machine, and then hiring competent people to run it. If this bears true for his newly-minted Lakers, then big changes will be in store for the franchise’s close-knit mom and pop leadership. 

    The Lakers have been in semi-stealth mode at the start of this summer’s free agency. The team’s only move so far has been inking 6”8 forward Jake LaRavia to a 2 year/$12M contract, after losing swingman Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets (4 years/$53M). LaRavia is a 23 year old who is a strong athlete with a skill set that spells good upside. He averaged around 7 points last season, to go with 4 boards and shot 47% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. These numbers certainly don’t blow you away, although the shooting splits are very nice. But they’re good numbers from a 23 year old up-and-comer who the Lakers can possibly develop into a core rotational piece. These are the types of moves that LA should continue to make. Young, cost-controlled players with upside. Players that can bode well into the future while not hampering the team financially. The latter of which is essential under the current CBA. We know that new boss Mark Walter likes to assemble a top notch coaching staff, that includes expertise in player development. The notion of signing young, under-the-radar talent to team-friendly contracts in hopes of parlaying their talents into bigger roles on the team is a sound tenet to adhere to, particularly in the new, parity-driven and cap-restrictive NBA. 

    The Lakers still have a hole at the center position, and one that shouldn’t go unaccounted for. Riding into this season without a center on the roster would be basketball suicide. On a team with Luka, even more so. But the team needs to be strategic about how they look to acquire a big man. They currently have limited options outside of what’s left of their $14M mid-level exception ($6M of which will be used on Jake LaRavia). They also presumably have a bi-annual exception that’s worth about $5M. The team is currently said to be waiting on Deandre Ayton (who was bought-out by Portland), and will use the roughly $8M remaining on the mid-level exception to sign him. Ayton would be a solid signing for LA, especially at that price. The Lakers will have competition for his services, particularly from the Indiana Pacers, who just lost big man Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving a void at their center position. Personally, I’m skeptical that Ayton would take the $8M that the Lakers can offer. At a cursory glance, Ayton seems to be a talent worth north of the $10M range, perhaps even more. Maybe he takes the Lakers’ deal, in hopes of rehabilitating his value and image (rumours have surfaced regarding his attitude and work ethic), with LA being the optimal destination to pursue those objectives. Or he might simply prioritize his offensive touches and overall spot on the pecking order, in which case he’d likely choose the Pacers, given their recent loss of Haliburton and their void at center. He would decidedly get more shots up in Indiana. We’ll see what transpires, but in any case the Lakers would be remiss to not have multiple options lined up, in the event that someone like Ayton doesn’t materialize. 

    Beyond free agency, the Lakers will also look at trades to bolster their roster. However, without a single center on the roster, the team will likely find themselves on the losing end of the leverage game. Teams will look to extract max value and then some from Rob Pelinka who has yet to fill the center need for LA. This is why, on one hand, I think it has been unwise to have not used the mid-level exception, or some portion of it, to acquire a big man. Having one in hand would ensure that rival executives can’t view the Lakers as beggars. It’s a cut-throat business. Particularly after the Luka trade, it seems as though every front office’s imminent mandate is to fleece the Lakers. This is why patience is key, particularly in these scenarios. If there aren’t any good trades on the table, then don’t make any. No trade is better than a bad trade. With that in mind, it is important that the Lakers maximize the remainder of their mid-level exception (roughly $8M) or the bi-annual exception ($5M) to secure the services of a big man. One who can step into the rotation, stay healthy and be relatively productive. Not an increasingly high bar, but one that the front office must meet, seeing as how viable options like Clint Capela, Brook Lopez, Myles Turner and Luke Kornet are all off the table. Even if the Lakers are in fact building for the future, outright sabotaging the season by neglecting the center position would be a terrible look. Particularly as it pertains to the prospects of resigning Luka Dončić. 

    Though nothing is ever perfect with the Lakers as of late, I can’t fault them for their approach so far. They seem to be employing better judgment as of late, by refusing to hand out picks or carelessly dangle assets, which might bite them in the future. As I’ve written before, center is the number one priority for the Lakers this summer. At least it should be. Getting one without disposing of the few remaining assets (Dalton Knecht, Austin Reaves, and future draft capital) is key. You want to have as much flexibility as possible beyond 2025-2026 when Mark Walter will have assumed full control of the franchise and hired his people. You certainly don’t want your cap books clogged for new ownership to clean up. We’ll see how the Lakers continue to approach this summer. I do like the idea of low risk, high-upside moves like LaRavia, and I also like the idea of trying to preserve their asset pool in order to have youth and flexibility moving forward. I just hope they don’t end up doing something stupid, like when they almost traded Knecht and multiple picks/pick swaps for Mark Williams. It’s my hope that Pelinka can pick up a center from the free agent crop and then trade for another one, without depleting the team’s assets. Beggars can’t be choosers, they say. But there’s no need to beg when you are resourceful. Let’s see what they do next. Go Lakers. 

  • Austin Reaves’ Extension & Tough Decisions

    Name a better duo. 

    Ok. Ok. But seeing that Austin Reaves has formally declined the Lakers’ 3 year/$89.2M extension, it’s time to ask some questions. The sharpshooting Reaves will patiently bet on himself, as he will hold out for a larger pay raise after the 2026 season when he can opt out of the final year of his current deal. This presents various risk scenarios for both the Lakers and AR. But mostly for the Lakers. AR is someone that the team drafted, developed and is now thriving as one of the core pieces in the current roster. Reaves went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, promptly inking a two-way contract with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent. He then proceeded to work his way up the ranks in LAs rotation, eventually establishing himself as a key contributor. In 2023, Reaves earned a 4 year/$54M extension. He’ll be entering the third year of said extension, after which he can opt out and forego its final season. AR’s story is one of grit and perseverance. An endearing Hollywood Tale. It’s what has made him a fan favorite with many a Lakers faithful (myself included). But the reality of his contract stipulations raises serious questions about his future with the team. The Lakers must ask themselves what they want to do with Reaves moving forward, and what the best course of action is for the team’s future outlook. There’s no easy answer, and good arguments can be made for both outcomes (keeping AR vs. trading him). Perhaps the first big test for the incoming ownership group, led by businessman Mark Walter, will be their handling of the Austin Reaves situation.

    Reaves declining LAs extension and potentially opting out next season puts the team in somewhat of a predicament. The obvious worst-case scenario being AR walking away after 2026 with nothing in return for the Lakers. In my opinion, Austin has earned the right to dictate the terms of his future, and I think it’s smart, if somewhat risky, for him to hold out for every possible penny that he can get. He’s been a very productive player thus far, and his rise to stardom has been quite admirable. By all accounts, he’s a hard working kid with a good head on his shoulders, and has definitely earned his stripes in the NBA. With that said, the Lakers need to protect themselves from said worst-case scenario by shopping Austin Reaves, and at least getting a sense of what his trade market holds in store. If any deals arise where the Lakers can get another foundational young piece in exchange for Austin, then that’s something you jump on. For instance, if Reaves can get you a Herb Jones from the Pelicans in return, then that’s something to seriously consider. Jones is another young up-and-comer who is one of the better perimeter defenders in the game. His offensive skillset is not quite at the level of Austin’s, but a defense-for-offense swap isn’t the worst idea, especially on a Luka Dončić-centric roster. To me, that’s the type of equal value you look for in a Reaves trade; another young player with high upside that can be an on-court fit and projects as a longterm solution to a current team need. As ARs agent Aaron Reilly proclaimed on Twitter a few days ago, you don’t trade Austin for a backup center (a Nic Claxton or Daniel Gafford type) in pursuit of a short-sighted win-now fantasy. 

    The reality of the situation is that given their current cap sheet, it’s very difficult for the Lakers to immediately vault themselves into the championship picture. In particular, LeBron James’ $50M salary next season greatly inhibits the team from significantly improving in areas of needs. Which creates a bit of a fine line that ought to be navigated delicately. Yes, AR is decidedly LAs best and most attractive trade chip. But, the Lakers should not ship him out in order to appease some vacuous win-now mandate for LeBron’s ”legacy”. LeBron will presumably be entering the final year of his contract, meaning that if the Lakers let him expire, they can use the flexibility to add the necessary pieces then. As I’ve stated before, the Lakers are no longer on LeBron’s timeline. The Lakers are now on their own timeline. They have a new owner with deep pockets, a top star in Luka, a solid young supporting star in AR, and an aging, in-the-twilight-of-his-career LeBron James. Attempting to appease LeBron’s timeline at this point would be a mistake. Now if AR can be swapped for another young piece who is of equal stature, then that’s something to act on. As that benefits both the Lakers and Luka moving forward. If it’s a move that marginally upgrades the roster at another position (say for a big), aiming to “maximize” LeBron’s proverbial window, then that’s a no-go. The Lakers need to aggressively strategize for the future. They will need every asset and resource at their disposal to properly build around Luka, once LeBron James decides to pack his bags and retire or finish out his career elsewhere. 

    Personally, I’m not of the opinion that ARs value will have diminished after he receives an extension. He has been the type of player that makes marked improvements each season. If he winds up taking yet another leap in 2026, who’s to day he isn’t worth say $30M. AR at $30M is still a heck of an asset. But there’s still some risk that comes with such scenarios. Maybe AR performs at a level where he warrants a $40M contract from some team. At this point the Lakers would need to ask themselves a serious question; is AR worth $40M on a team with Luka Dončić who is also primed for a substantial extension? Furthermore, is AR at $40M per season good enough to be Luka’s no. 2 on a team with championship aspirations? These are all legitimate quandaries. But I think that the best course of action for the Lakers is one of patience and diligence. The standoff between AR and the new ownership will be interesting to watch. And will certainly pose its share of risks. With that said, LA shouldn’t panic and should view this situation as an opportunity. 

    LA should certainly has to perform its due diligence and at least explore the trade market in order to see what type of feedback they receive regarding ARs trade value. Maybe there’s a deal to be had where the Lakers can get another young piece in return who strengthens their long term outlook. LA certainly has glaring needs, and you have to give in order to get. If you can net another young player to build with Dončić, then great. But, he shouldn’t be dangled carelessly in trade talks to the point where it sours the player/brass relationship, or worse yet, inserted in a trade that makes the team worse with an underwhelming return. At worse, you let AR play out the season, and if he keeps balling then you pay him a reasonable amount; one which he will have earned. Maybe he becomes a legitimate mainstay alongside Luka, and post-LeBron, at which point the Lakers will have the flexibility to add pieces around the Luka/Reaves tandem. Or if not then you trade him sometime after he’s signed his extension. If Desmond Bane can net 4 first rounders at a $34M salary, then I’m not entirely sure Reaves wouldn’t have almost identical value on the trade market with his new deal. Either way, the approach with AR should be one of patience. He is a Laker, and is a great player. He’ll continue to help the team win. Of course, you always cover your bases and explore the market. But worse case scenario, you let him play out his season and give him the opportunity to earn his desired figure. Resign him next summer with a clean cap sheet and figure out the next move later. And that’s not a terrible place to be. Go Lakers. 

  • Culture Change

    For the first time in over 45 years, the Los Angeles Lakers will be helmed by new ownership. Under the Buss Family stewardship, the franchise excelled to unprecedented heights, while setting a standard for excellence. It’s for this reason why today they are valued at over $10B. Lately, however, cracks had begun to emerge, and some of that pixie dust had begun to wear off. With the recent sale of the franchise, a hard reset is in order. A culture reset. In order for the Lakers to return to being the Lakers again, there needs to be a singular and disciplined hunger for excellence, one that cannot be diluted by sentimentality or complacency. For the Lakers brand to be vibrant again there must be a commitment to build it back up the right way, with unwavering focus. A change in ownership will allow for the opportunity to re-establish said norms. Now, it’s all about the discipline, drive and humility to get there again. 

    When Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the team prior to the 1979-80 season, the Lakers were an organization in search of an identity. They were a team with stars (namely Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), but that star power never materialized into championships. Once Buss took over, he completely brought forth a fresh and exciting vision, that would come to define the organization for the next decades. Showtime Basketball soon ensued and the Lakers became the dominant franchise of the 1980s. Of course, the sheer stroke of good fortune that came with drafting Earvin “Magic” Johnson certainly didn’t hurt. But it should also bear mentioning that the team had capable figures in every key leadership position. Between team owner Buss, General Manager Jerry West and Head Coach Pat Riley, the Lakers were led by sharp and visionary men who all shared the same unrelenting drive for excellence. Between them, they helped shape the team’s outlook for the rest of the 1980s. 

    The 1990s certainly saw the Lakers falter a bit, particularly after Magic Johnson’s abrupt retirement from pro basketball during the summer of 1991. The team was left in disarray and endured some lean times as they were left to fend off without their generational talent in Magic. But faith was hardly ever lost, as the team was still led by the same key figures. By 1996, Jerry West had assembled the early pieces of the ensuing dynasty of the early 2000s, after signing prized free agent Shaquille O’Neal, and trading for the draft rights of a teenage Kobe Bean Bryant on draft night of ’96. After Head Coach Phil Jackson was brought on board as the final piece, the team was off the races, capturing three consecutive titles from 2000-2002. 

    However, it was around this time that the once bullet-proof culture began to show cracks. Then executive vice-president of team operations and owner’s daughter Jeanie Buss began dating Head Coach Phil Jackson. Which in turn caused a rift between Jackson and General Manager Jerry Buss, who felt it was inappropriate for a member of the front office to be romantically linked to the team’s coach, effectively bringing forth a divide between the Buss/Jackson camp and the West camp. One that would unfortunately last until Jerry West’s eventual passing in 2024. West would eventually leave the Lakers front office after the 1999-2000 season, right in the middle of their dynastic run. But he had already laid the groundwork for the team’s success. West never jived with Phil Jackson, as both men boasted big personalities, and after Jeanie Buss was brought over to the Head Coaches’ side, West saw himself as the odd man out. It is power struggles like this that unfortunately would go on to bog down the organization, and prevent them from having a one-track mind towards success. Fortunately, due to West’s brilliance, the team had the on-court personnel to endure the backstage drama. 

    The mid-2000s saw the Lakers briefly endure some rough times. After the sudden departure of superstar pillar Shaquille O’Neal in 2004, the team experienced some less than stellar results throughout the ’05, ’06 and ’07 seasons. But once again, strong-willed men were at the helm. Gone was Jerry West, but the team still had Dr. Buss, Phil Jackson and the late, great Kobe Bryant to look to for leadership. Even amidst the tough times, there was always a sense optimism as long as said people were in charge, and after the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol in February of 2008, the team was off to the races once again. They reached the finals that same season, eventually falling short at the hands of the Boston Celtics. But the hunger and championship drive was back. The team made it all the way back to the finals in 2009 and 2010, winning both times, again establishing themselves as the Team of the Decade and the Gold Standard for Excellence. The organization made a bold bid to extend their championship window in 2011 after trading for then superstar point guard Chris Paul. Said bid was denied for “basketball reasons”. After Kobe Bryant’s achilles tear in 2013, it seemed as though the entire life of the franchise had been sucked out. And with an ailing Dr. Buss, it seemed as though their air of invincibility was dissipating by the moment.

    Dr. Buss passed away in February of 2013, just a couple of months before Kobe suffered his devastating season-ending injury. With Dr. Buss no longer overseeing operations, and Kobe Bryant drastically set-back by his achilles tear, the Lakers seemed more vulnerable than ever. General Manager Mitch Kupchak simply did not have the vision, the presence nor the guile to guide the team through this turmoil. The Lakers were a shell of the organization they’d come to be known for, with an aging legend, and a front office lacking the vision or direction to steer the ship away from impending freefall. Kobe’s 2016 farewell season and his final regular season game were the only bright spots left to experience throughout these years. With him, the Lakers aura had decidedly left the building by this juncture.

    In 2017, Jeanie Buss valiantly made an attempt to bring the franchise back from the dregs. Starting with the firing of GM Mitch Kupchak and purging of sibling and famed horse-trainer James “Jim” Buss from the team’s front office, the Lakers finally seemed to be steering towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Magic Johnson was brought in as President of Basketball Operations (replacing Jim Buss). The team also hired Rob Pelinka as General Manager. The whip-sharp culture and drive for excellence did not exactly return with them. Basketball ops VP Magic Johnson wasted no time making mediocre decisions. Starting with letting then Lakers center Brook Lopez walk scotch free after 2017, and renouncing Julius Randle’s bird rights, who effectively walked for nothing during that summer’s free agency, with the team to get assets in return. Magic then pivoted by signing a 33 year-old LeBron James during the summer of 2018. But he swiftly set the team back yet again, during the 2018-19 trade deadline, when he traded then up-and-coming big man Ivica Zubac for… wait for it…  Mike Muscala. Yeah. The Lakers are *still* looking for their starting center roughly seven years later to the day. Towards the end of the 2019 season, Magic Johnson stepped down as Lakers VP, but not before leaving behind yet another turd for the team to contend with. 

    Around the trade deadline of 2019 (about the same time as the Zubac debacle), Magic offered virtually the entire roster (Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and every draft pick under the sun) to the Pelicans for center Anthony Davis. LA ended up trading for Davis anyways during the ensuing offseason, but Magic’s trigger-happiness cost the team any leverage they might have had. Something this short-sighted would have never happened under Jerry West, or any serious front office. When the Lakers resumed negotiations with the Pelicans, newly-minted New Orleans GM David Griffin smartly reminded the Lakers that they had offered the entire farm for Davis only a couple of months prior. Add to the fact that AD’s agent Rich Paul had publicly threatened the Pelicans organization to only ship Davis to the Lakers, and everybody and their grandmas knew that LA all but *HAD* to pull the trigger on an AD trade. Not to mention the fact that any Lebron James-led organization is constantly in asset-shedding mode in exchange for win-now prospects. LA had no leverage, and were forced to trade their entire roster sans LeBron and Kyle Kuzma for Anthony Davis, when they could have acquired him for a reasonable price had Magic not lost his marbles before (mercifully) stepping down from his position. But the damage was done and Magic left unceremoniously. By the way, I LOVE Magic Johnson the player. But as great of a player as he was, he was the exact mirror opposite as an executive (and Coach.. and talk show host).

    The summer of 2019 saw Rob Pelinka assume full control of personnel decisions after Magic’s departure. Pelinka fared very well during his first offseason, assembling the pieces of what would soon be a 2020 championship roster, after acquiring the likes of Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, Danny Green, Avery Bradley and later Markieff Morris during the 2020 trade deadline. The team had also drafted and developed two-way guard Alex Caruso, who proved vital to the teams’ success that year. The Lakers also hired Head Coach Frank Vogel, after negotiations with Tyronn Lue embarrassingly fell apart. The team capped off a pandemic-ridden 2020 season with a Championship in the NBA Bubble, the franchise’s 17th. A feather in the cap of Rob Pelinka, who did a great job of pivoting during the 2019 summer after Kawhi Leonard infamously spurned the organization. The Lakers seemed to be on the road to regaining their aura back. 

    The 2020-21 season was a bit of a weird one. Because of the nature of the pandemic, the previous season had been paused, then resumed in October of 2020, when the Lakers won the NBA Bubble. In an effort to preserve as much of the following season as possible, the NBA decided to start the 2020-21 season in December. Meaning only a two-month off-season was left for players to recharge. In order to mitigate the effects of a short off-season, the Lakers brass made the decision to bring in younger legs in favor of their older players. Danny Green was shipped out for young guard Dennis Schöder, Dwight Howard was let go and replaced by Montrezl Harrell and veteran center (and former Laker in 07-08) Marc Gasol was brought in to shore up the front court. Head Coach Frank Vogel made sure that the team’s defensive identity remained intact, and the Lakers were well on their way to securing the no. 1 seed in the West for the second consecutive season. Unfortunately, injuries befell the final months of the season and the Lakers slipped all the way back to the play-in spot, where they eventually took out the Golden State Warriors. The team eventually fell to the Phoenix Suns in the first round in 6 games. AD’s injury proved too much to come back from.

    The following off-season saw the biggest and first major red flag of the LeBron/Klutch tenure thus far. Rob Pelinka had correctly identified the team’s biggest flaw to be outside shooting. So he engaged the Sacramento Kings in trade talks for sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield. The Lakers and Kings had a trade in line that would have sent Kyle Kuzma and assets to Sacramento in exchange for Hield. But Lebron’s ego and insecurity got in the way. As is the case with LeBron, he greatly values his “help”. LeBron needs more help! being the branded battlecry of his supporters in the media. The Brooklyn Nets, who had assembled a “big three” that summer when they traded for James Harden after adding Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant the summer prior, consequently left LeBron feeling a bit of Superteam Envy. Thus, he persuaded the Lakers to nix the Hield/Kuzma swap and trade for Russell Westbrook instead. Again, all leverage was lost, as word leaked out that both LeBron, AD and the Klutch reps had all but requested Westbrook’s presence in LA. Thus, Pelinka had to pay a hefty price, for a player that was a non-fit, right after orchestrating a better trade that was only pending approval. 

    The Westbrook trade was an unmitigated fucking disaster. So I won’t go into detail about it for the sake of my sanity. The Lakers are still reeling from its repercussions to this day. To add insult to injury, the team lost out on ace defensive guard Alex Caruso during free agency, as Klutch leader and then de-facto GM Rich Paul had the Lakers hand prized Klutch Klient and noted NBA scrub Talen Horton-Tucker a charitable 3 year/$30M extension. When the Buss family saw the ensuing cap sheet, they decided to let Caruso walk, as signing both him and THT would have put the team firmly in the luxury tax stratosphere. Major problem here pertaining to culture: Why is Klutch determining who the team signs or trades for when there is already a GM in place? This has been an issue throughout the entire LeBron tenure. Why has Jeanie wilfully rendered the organization hostage to James and the Klutch gang? This needs to change and change swiftly moving forward. Great organizations draw a clear line between players and executives. This was their MO throughout the Jerry Buss era. Players play, owners pay and executives orchestrate the personnel moves. When those roles get mixed up, nothing good comes from it.

    The 2022 season was a complete waste. The team missed the playoffs and everything went haywire. Frank Vogel was the fall guy during the following off-season as Darvin Ham was tabbed as his replacement. The team seemed destined for another wasted season in 2023, but Rob Pelinka rebounded quite admirably by mercifully jettisoning Westbrook during the trade deadline, and adding D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley. Combined with the emergence of undrafted prospect Austin Reaves, the Lakers found a second wind and made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. However, a couple of painful realities came to bear: LeBron was no longer capable of being the best player on a championship team and Anthony Davis was no longer capable of being the second best player on a championship team. The pair were completely outclassed by the younger and hungrier Nikola Jokic/Jamaal Murray tandem as the Lakers were swept in the Western Conference Finals by the Denver Nuggets for the first time since 1998. To make matters worse, every single game in that series was close, but the Laker’s stars failed to seal the deal. It was right there where it became painfully obvious to me that the LeBron-AD pairing had run its course.

    2024 was seemingly a carbon copy of 2023. With the Lakers limping out in the first half of the year, only to storm back with a strong second half to secure a playoff spot. They did win the inaugural In-Season Tournament to a round of crickets. Unfortunately they drew the Denver Nuggets in the first round, as opposed to conference finals the year before. This time they only endured a gentleman’s sweep instead of a clean sweep. Again, most games in the series were close, but stars failed to show up in crunch time. Another poignant reminder that LeBron and AD can’t lead a team to the promised land anymore. For his troubles, Darvin Ham was axed as the fall guy, just like Vogel was in 2021. The 2024 off-season saw the Lakers culture take yet another hit, as the team was dragged all off-season by head coaching candidate Dan Hurley who teased coming to the Lakers, only to return to his alma mater at UConn. LA eventually landed on LeBron podcast buddy JJ Redick to coach the team. But the summer’s bizarre coaching search left an ugly stench in Lakers Land. It certainly seemed as though the brand lacked the allure it once had. The drafting of Bronny James was another indicator that the organization was aiming for ratings over excellence. The ensuing 2024-25 season was surprisingly upbeat, as AD’s strong showing and Austin Reaves’ continued ascension helped the team keep their head above water. LeBron James had himself another impressive statistical year, but ended the year a -54 on the court, proving that those stats are more of the empty variety these days. Of course, the big headline was the Luka Dončić trade in February, which helped propel the Lakers all the way to the 3 seed. Despite giving up AD. However, the playoffs were yet another rude awakening that the team is still ways away from contending as their lack of size and lack of a true no. 2 option (no LeBron isn’t it) proved too much to overcome.

    Now we find ourselves in 2025. With LA soon to be sporting new ownership, led by entrepreneur Mark Walter. In order for this team to ascend into the elite ranks of the modern NBA, they must make some philosophical changes. The days of catering to LeBron, Klutch Sports and their collective needs should be firmly in the rearview mirror. Ditto for the ‘too many cooks in the kitchen’ approach that constantly brings forth ego clashes internally. But all things considered, the Lakers are actually in a modestly fortunate position at this moment. They have a franchise player in place with Luka Dončić. They have an up-and-coming young star on a team friendly contract in Austin Reaves (who will soon be due for an extension, so there might be some uncertainty there). They have a solid young pillar in Dalton Knecht. They don’t have any outright terrible longterm contracts (even LeBron’s albatross $50M contract is merely an expiring). They also have a new owner with deep pockets. Under Jeanie Buss, the Lakers would have felt tempted to appease LeBron’s timeline and execute more short-sighted win-now moves. New ownership needs to buck this vicious cycle. Mark Walter must realize that the Lakers are no longer on LeBron’s timeline, but rather on their *own* timeline. You have Luka, you have Reaves, and you have a relatively clean cap sheet past 2026. Now is not the time to press and execute panic trades. Now is the time to be patient. Extending LeBron James does nothing for the team’s championship aspirations; let him expire. The only way he should be extended is if he takes a significant paycut, which is unlikely. At this point, James is an aging star in the twilight of his career who is clinging on to his own personal glory and hopelessly chasing after the ghost of Michael Jordan. The Lakers should treat him as an expiring and make whatever moves around the margins in order to improve the roster. They should also look to deal Bronny James and terminate the soap opera angle. If the Lakers are to be Lakers again, then they should lose all distractions and return to adopting the singular pursuit of sustained excellence and winning. 

    Right now is a golden opportunity for a hard reset. Winning is a discipline, one that requires commitment from top to bottom. Let the executives run the organization. Let the players play. Spend wisely. Win the margins. Allow the chips to fall where they may. No more pussyfooting. No more soap opera rosters that might stumble ass-first into success. Go young, build around Luka, build for the future and firmly adhere to your own timeline. No more haemorrhaging assets for vapid win-now pursuits. Patience and diligence are key. Expand the front office. Boost the scouting department. Prioritize internal growth and get rid of distractions (bye-bye Klutch Sports). If the new brass can adhere to these tenets, then they will be on their way to establishing the Purple and Gold brand to being synonymous with winning once again. It’s been a while, but the moment is now. Go Lakers. 

  • A Changing of the Guard

    Last week, Jeanie Buss and the Buss family sold their majority shares of the Los Angeles Lakers to billionaire Mark Walter. Walter is the chief executive officer of Guggenheim Partners, a privately held global financial services firm. This news dropped out of nowhere to say the least. But given the team’s penchant for stealth affairs lately, this should come as no surprise. The Buss family, after over 45 years of guiding the franchise to great success, including 17 finals berths and 11 NBA titles (since 1980), will cede control of the organization to businessman Mark Walter, who has recently had great success guiding the LA Dodgers of the MLB to championship heights. In today’s economic climate where maximizing profit margins and creating joint ventures is part of the new age strategy, this is perhaps a good opportunity for the organization to hit a hard reset and modernize their business model with new ownership. After nearly five decades of operating as a mom and pop organization, the team might now be well equipped to dip their toes in the contemporary business world, and be run like a traditional business. One with deep pockets and vast resources.

    Alas, it is perhaps bittersweet to see the Busses sell the team. The Lakers and the Buss Family have been synonymous with each other for the past 40 years. Under the ownership of the late and great Dr. Jerry Buss, the team reached extraordinary heights. Perhaps the likes of which will be hard to replicate. However, over the years, much has changed in the landscape of sports team ownership. Long gone are the days of mom and pop ownership, where a single family helms control of a franchise and do their part to brandish their labor of love into a symbol of pride within the community. These days, teams are run by larger conglomerates, who view their teams as investments, and like big businesses, profit margins are the order of the day. For better, or for worse, this is the climate in today’s world of sports. The Lakers, for all their best intentions, have been lagging lately in this regard. For the past decade or so, the organization has been being beaten in the margins by other, savvier organizations with more modernized business approaches. Not to mention, deeper pockets. The Lakers have lost out on players, and coaches, at times, over the past couple of years. So one would hope that with new ownership in place, these things would no longer be a source of concern.

    Infused with new blood at the the top, it is the hope of all Lakers fans that the new management will go out of their way to invest heavily on the team and potentially try to get a leg up on the competition. Personally, I believe this was a necessary step for the organization. I empathize with the Buss family, who for their troubles will be awarded somewhere in the neighborhood of $10B in exchange for their majority shares. But it still must be tough for them to relinquish control of an organization that has been their labor of love for the past few decades. And for all intents and purposes, they’ve done right by the fans. But given the current climate, this is a necessary move for the betterment of the franchise. A franchise such as the Lakers shouldn’t be losing on the margins, shouldn’t be losing out on players or coaches, shouldn’t have anything but the best when it comes to trainers, team doctors and facilities, etc. With this new ownership group, the Lakers should have the opportunity to be all they can be. This should ignite a legitimate sense of excitement for any Lakers fan. The Lakers brand has always been robust. Now with deep capital to go with it, the brand’s power has the chance to further expand, provided of course that they can bring in the right people on board.

    Good organizations succeed from top to bottom. Great front offices bring in great personnel who hire great coaches and draft great players. In today’s world of luxuries, quality costs money. It’s increasingly difficult to small-time your way to the top, and skimp out on the margins, and still expect to field a contender. Winning requires a uniform commitment from the front office execs all the way down to the players. And just like players are expected to produce on the court, team owners are expected to produce with their checkbook. It will be interesting to see if the new ownership will seek to beef up the front office, to expand the scouting department, to be aggressive with coaching hires and to try to establish a culture of excellence.

    Any type of financial aggression needs to be complimented with prudence and patience. In the sense that team building is the most important component. As much as a blank check from the owner can go a long way, a level head in the executive branch is just as important. Meaning that in order to have any success, it is paramount for a team to value their own assets and optimize their internal growth. Haemorrhaging assets, panic trading young players, gambling away draft picks and making short-sighted ‘win-now’ moves needs to be a thing of the past. The Lakers are no longer in the LeBron timeline, or the Jeanie Buss timeline. The Lakers are now on the Lakers Timeline. The team will now have the opportunity to bolster their brand with a new owner who is eager to spend. If they are able to bring in the right people to correctly allocate those resources, they’ll be in good shape. All in all, it’s exciting to have new blood in the owner’s box. With several quality young pieces already in place, it’ll be interesting to see how the roster shakes out moving forward and observe how the wheels start moving. As long as there’s a commitment to winning and a solid plan in place backed by steady resources, then that’s all we can hope for as fans. Here’s to an exciting new era of Lakers Basketball.

    GO. LAKERS.

  • Rui As A Trade Chip?

    Lakers forward Rui Hachimura culminated his third season with the team this year (two and a half if you consider that he was traded to LA during the 2023 trade deadline). Rui has had a very positive impact since his arrival, averaging 13.4ppg, 4.6rbp and 1.3apg on 52%FG and 42%3PT during his last two seasons in LA. He’s been a steady role player, who takes nothing off the table, isn’t high maintenance and contributes in two of the crucial areas of the modern game; scoring and outside shooting. He currently makes an annual salary of $17M (which will bump to $18.25M for the 2026 season — the final season in his deal), which makes him a positive asset by current evaluations, as his production is fairly robust relative to his salary. He’s not a negative asset, he’s not dead weight. For these reasons, I feel that Rui is perhaps the team’s best tradeable contract currently on the roster. With the Lakers facing several offseason questions, namely their search for a big man as well as shoring up their perimeter defense, Rui could find himself on the move. As productive as he’s been, there’s a case to be made that Rui’s on-court value is more redundant than complimentary. Personally, I’m a big fan of Rui Hachimura. He’s been great for this team in his short tenure so far, even if he doesn’t exactly solve any of the team’s current needs. His talent is obvious and cannot be disputed. But the Lakers have some crucial decisions they must consider heading into the summer. Rui’s on-court production and salary could make him a viable trade candidate for LA as the team seeks upgrades in other areas.

    Hachimura, 27, will be entering the final year of his contract where he’ll earn slightly north of $18M. This means that he would factor in as ideal ‘salary ballast’ for LA to utilize in a trade scenario. Packaging Rui’s salary with a first round pick could net the Lakers a legitimate rotational piece, one that could address a pressing rotational need. Teams finding themselves in rebuilding situations (like Brooklyn or Portland) and looking to tear things down could view $18M of expiring money as an attractive prospect. Throw in draft sweeteners and that’s a solid package that can net a nice player in return. With Rob Pelinka reinstating his vision of building around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves during his exit presser, Hachimura decidedly emerges as LA’s top contract to send out amidst their quest for a more balanced lineup. Rui currently occupies the power forward position. With LeBron James locked in the small forward slot, unless he is ultimately traded (something I wouldn’t be averse to). Hachimura, for all his virtues, isn’t adept at consistently guarding players at his position. He doesn’t bring forth the requisite physicality or rim protection to consistently be a plus on the defensive end. He’s also not quick enough to guard small forwards, not to mention, that is LeBron’s position for now. Defensive switches also present more issues when it comes to Rui. Particularly out in the perimeter, Rui lacks the lateral movement and tenacity to stay in front of smaller guards and/or forwards. We saw it in the playoffs. Ant Edwards decimated the Lakers defense on switches, with Rui being caught in the crossfires on several occasions. It should come as no surprise that LA simply needs more length and able defenders in open space. Additionally, in defensive help scenarios, Rui does not offer the type of help qualities as a low man to deter shots at the rim. Anytime Edwards or Minnesota’s other perimeter players broke down LA’s defense, the team looked hapless with either Rui or LeBron as the low man. Some of this was due to poor defensive game planning, particularly when it came to clearly delegating help responsibilities. But it was also painfully obvious that the team lacks a viable defensive presence on the interior. Hachimura, unfortunately, isn’t that.

    On the other hand, you have to love Rui’s offense. He’s been a great contributor on that end. Even in the playoffs, when the defensive competition gets tighter, Rui still excels. In his 3 playoff seasons with the Lakers, Rui has put up 12ppg and 4rpg on an effective 51% from the field and 46% from long range. These are very solid numbers, particularly for a player who’s your 4th or 5th option on most nights. His offensive output certainly should not go without props. But they say that you have to give value in order to get value. And the roster, as presently constructed, is lacking in several key areas. Moves need to be made.

    Rui isn’t your average soon-to-be expiring contract, in the sense that he isn’t merely salary ballast nor is he a non-factor on the court. He’s a very productive player who will happen to be playing on an expiring deal. He’s also a high character guy with a solid rep. This all translates into “tradeable asset”. I don’t think teams will view Rui or his contract as a burden. On the contrary he could be an avenue for a rebuilding team to shed salary, due to the expiring nature of his contract, and his lack of baggage would make him all the more attractive to rival clubs. If LA can find themselves in a situation where a team like Dallas is willing to trade a Daniel Gafford for Hachimura and first rounder, or if Portland decides it no longer needs D’Andre Ayton and is willing to accept a combo of Rui, Gabe Vincent and a second rounder, then these are all deals LA must seriously consider, and ultimately pull the trigger on. As much as I like Rui, defensively he simply isn’t the most optimal fit. Plus, LA’s roster is very unbalanced as of right now. With Luka only being capable of guarding 2s and 3s, and LeBron 3s and 4s, there simply isn’t any room for Rui as a sensible defensive contributor on this team. Since he’s still a very good player, and playing on a reasonably good deal, perhaps the time is now to explore every scenario in which Hachimura can be moved in order to fill another gap on the lineup.

    In my estimation, it comes down to Rui and DFS, as far as the teams’ most tradeable players. DFS is a small forward, who plays great perimeter defense and can knock down the open corner three. In other words, he’s exactly the type of player the Lakers should retain and seek to find more of. DFS will also have a player option this summer (for approximately $15M). Should he opt out, it would seriously behoove the front office to negotiate an extension, as he’s the lone 3&D man currently on the team. Rui, on the other hand, provides most of his value on the offensive side. As this team seeks to balance its personnel and address its weaknesses, it’s clearly evident that Rui becomes the odd man out. This isn’t a slight on Rui; he’s an excellent basketball player. He’s a strong forward who can finish at the rim with authority, run the floor and play the type of off-ball game that’s the perfect compliment to a dominant ballhandler. When he’s given a healthy amount of open looks, he’ll hit most of them, as his shooting splits would indicate. However, the lack of tenacity on defense and low motor on the boards ultimately diminishes his aggravate value. Rui’s a good player. He’ll surely find himself being a contributor on any team, and it isn’t hard to see another team finding value in his game. However, if any opportunities arise where the Lakers can flip Rui’s skillset for one of immediate need, then that is the type of tough call that Rob Pelinka has to make as a GM, if the goal is to fully optimize the roster’s window.

  • The Value of Dalton Knecht

    With the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Tennessee swingman Dalton Knecht. The Lakers were fortunate to take Knecht at the 17 slot after he unexpectedly fell on draft day. He was projected to go much higher. Right off bat, during Summer League, Knecht showed good promise. He put up 21.3ppg, 5.3rpg and 2.3apg on 41% from the from the field and 39% from three. His perfomance during these exhibition games solidified the expectations he’d have going into his rookie season. Dalton’s first season in the NBA was a mixed bag. He showed some flashes, put up some big time performances, but on the other hand struggled with inconsistencies, mainly pertaining to his shooting and defense. He was unsuccessful in asserting himself into the everyday lineup due to those various deficiencies. But on the aggravate, he’s a talented shooter, which this team needs. He also possesses the functional athleticism to excel as a defender, an area that still requires some work. But you have to like Dalton’s overall profile, and the type of player that he projects to be. LA certainly shouldn’t be so eager to give him away.

    Knecht finished the season with a respectable statline of 9.1ppg and 2.8rpg on 46%FG and 37.6%3PT. He played in 78 games (starting in 16 of them) and averaged about 19 minutes a night. His minutes were sporadic, and he wasn’t part of the rotation each game. Dalton’s rookie campaign got off to a rocky start, averaging just over 6 points on 38% from the field and 29% from three during his first 10 games. His defense also looked suspect at times, as he lacks the stance and technique where he can consistently put himself in good position. As a result, he has trouble staying in front of his man, something that persisted over the duration of the season. Over his next 9 games however, Dalton swiftly picked things up; averaging 19 points and 5 boards on 55% from the field and 52% from three during this stretch. This included a 37 point explosion against Utah, where he set the Lakers rookie record for most made three pointers in a game, totalling 9, and helping LA defeat the Jazz. During the ensuing road trip, his minutes would drop again, and he never quite found a consistent form. Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick wasn’t able to develop the sense of trust with Dalton, where he could simply pencil him in to the rotation on a nightly basis. Much of this was due to his poor defense, and to a lesser extent, his inconsistent shooting. To Dalton’s credit, he did finish the season on a high note. For the last month of the season (March plus a couple days of April), Dalton scored a robust 9.7ppg on 47%FG and 43%3PT over a span of 23 contests. He was, however, a -27 over the course of these such games, reinforcing the notion that perhaps he is still a one dimensional player at this point. His defense is not at the level where Redick can get away with playing him big minutes, which is why we did not see any Dalton Knecht during the Lakers’ playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

    All things considered, I’m a fan of Dalton Knecht. I like the player that he has the potential to be. He also plays with an aggressive gunslinger’s mentality, which seems to be in short supply on this Lakers team. When Knecht has it going, he plays with a quick trigger and a quick conscience. He doesn’t seem to think much, he just executes and scores. This Lakers team needs guys that bring a hot-hand effect to the table every so often. However, in order to truly cement himself as a regular in the rotation, he badly needs to improve his defense. When his shot isn’t falling and the rims aren’t as friendly, defense is the one constant that will keep him on the floor. Fortunately, and despite his faults, I believe that Dalton does in fact possess the physical attributes to be at the very least a net neutral on defense (and if his offense keeps progressing then that’s a hell of a player). In fact, I believe Dalton can be an outright positive on the defensive end. It just comes down to how bad he wants it, and the quality of player development that he can get from the Lakers.

    First off, Knecht is a rangy 6’6″ 213lbs forward/shooting guard hybrid. He has a very strong first-step, which is telling of someone who possesses a robust athletic profile. His offensive repertoire has shown tremendous upside thus far. If he can apply those tools on the defensive end the way he does on the offensive end, then I think that would spell a very good defender. One area of improvement is his defensive stance; if he can consistently get low and squared with his man, then he’ll have much more success. He often gets blown by or loses his man, as his high defensive stance negates much of his lateral quickness. This is an issue that persists in many budding on-ball defenders. His rotations could also use some work, as he more often than not finds himself out of position during closeouts or scrambling situations. All these things literally come down to work ethic, film study, coaching and reps. Perhaps he’ll never be Andre Kirilenko on defense. But I don’t see any reason as to why he shouldn’t be at the very least a Christian Braun/Grayson Allen/Tim Hardaway Jr. type. A solid, reliable two-way player, with some scoring upside. If Knecht can work his way up to becoming this player, he’ll have a great career in the NBA.

    From a fit standpoint, Dalton Knecht is the type of player you want on this team. Especially if the Lakers eventually make Luka Dončić their franchise cornerstone via contract extension, then Knecht is precisely the type of player you want on a Dončić-led team. He does everything you need him to do; he’s an impressive vertical finisher, and can do so in traffic. He’s a great shooter who can shoot on the move or on catch and shoot situations. He’s got great instincts scoring off-ball, particularly coming off pin-downs, shooting in the mid-range as well as his ability to backdoor a wandering defender. He can create a bit off the dribble 1v1, and is also capable of scoring out of the pick and roll as an initiator (although his playmaking could definitely use some work). As an off-ball player in the pick and roll, he’s a perfect partner for someone like Luka. He knows when to drift and relocate for a spot-up shot, and is the type of shooter that you can position on the single side of ball screen in order to stretch a defense to its limit and keep them honest. Of course, he didn’t exactly do all of these things at an elite level. But he did show flashes in each department, and has been doing so since his days at Tennessee. I’d like to see the Lakers show some degree of commitment when developing young talents such as Dalton Knecht. He’s far from a finished product, but the upside is there and would compliment this team tremendously. I’d also like to see the Lakers show some restraint when trading away high-caliber young assets. Far often do we see the team trade away young players, before they hit their learning curve and blossom into valuable contributors. Julius Randle, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac, and Alex Caruso are prime examples. This franchise has had a knack for hastily shedding assets in exchange for short-term gains. I’d like to see the organization shift their philosophy to something more sustainable and dependable.

    It’s paramount for teams, particularly amidst the current CBA, to prioritize, young cost-controlled talent. It’s equally important for teams to successfully develop said young talent. It’s no longer feasible to win with a three-star model. Just look at the Phoenix Suns. The ultra-restrictive cap stipulations make it so that teams are compelled to value depth over star power. That’s where players like Dalton Knecht factor in to the equation. In order to maintain long-term sustainability and maximize a franchise’s window, that franchise must be committed to finding and developing young, talented players on team-friendly salary. That in turn makes the roster more robust around the margins. It’s these deep teams that are currently making noise in the postseason (OKC and Indiana come to mind). Many of the Lakers’ current team needs, namely shooting and bench scoring, Dalton is already capable of fulfilling. If they commit to his development, they will have an in-house answer to those issues. Internal growth and self sufficiency will be crucial for the Lakers moving forward. Without these qualities they’re back to being the impulsive organization that places short-term gain over long-term growth. If anything, developing Dalton Knecht will only increase his value around the NBA. Which could yield an even bigger payout in the future. Patience is the game moving forward. Something that the franchise has lacked, but must be able to summon in order to navigate the current landscape of hyper-competitive parity that is the Modern NBA.

  • The Quest For a Center

    54-37. That was the rebound discrepancy in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Quarter-Finals that saw the Lakers get eliminated at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. LA was decimated all series at the battle of the boards. They had no answers for the size and length of Minnesota’s center Rudy Gobert, whose Wilt Chamberlain-esque 27 points, 24 rebounds effort left the Lakers in the dust and searching for answers. Throughout the playoffs, Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick gradually lost faith in Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes, decreasing his minutes as the series progressed. By Game 5, Hayes was an afterthought and logged in a total of 0 minutes. The Lakers also didn’t carry any other center on the roster, thus Redick made the decision to go small, with the hopes of overwhelming the young and physical Wolves on the perimeter. This backfired tremendously, as Minnesota, led by Gobert and Julius Randle, feasted on the Lakers lack of interior presence, to the point where one could make a solid case that it was the main culprit for LA’s disappointing early playoffs exit.

    Amidst the looming offseason, the Lakers brass will be tasked with finding the team a ‘true’ center, as well as perhaps a viable backup, as they cannot afford to go into the season with such nonexistent depth at the 5. The team will likely prioritize fit and play-style over most factors as they search for a starting center. This likely means that youth, athleticism and defensive upside will be the main hallmarks the team will be looking for. Someone who fits the current timeline in terms of age. Someone who can set a screen and then roll and finish at the rim. Someone who can give the team a legitimate defensive presence on the interior. There will be several options available to the Lakers this summer. Some of them better fits, and some more attainable than others. But it’ll be incumbent on Rob Pelinka and the Lakers Front Office to find the right piece that will fill the gap at center and optimize their current window to compete for championships. Let’s take a look at some of the centers, who in my opinion could be available this summer, from the most attainable to the least likely, let’s attempt to cover all the bases:

    Good Bargains:

    • Clint Capela – This is an interesting choice, who the Lakers will most likely keep an eye on. Capela put up 8.9ppg, 8.5rpg on 56%FG in 55 games played this past season. At 31 years old, he’ll be entering unrestricted free agency this offseason. Capela is coming off the final year on his deal, where he he made over $22M as a member of the Atlanta Hawks. He will likely be playing for significantly less, as it’s unlikely that many teams with cap space will be vying for his services. The Lakers, for their part, won’t have a ton of ammunition to spend on free agents, as they will be maxed out at roughly $188M in salaries (assuming they run it back with the current roister). This puts them over the league’s luxury tax ($187.9M), meaning they will only have the tax-payer mid-level exception of $5.69M as means to add another rotation-caliber player. Capela fits this bill, as he could be had at that price, and in all honesty, would be a pretty good option. He is adequate at all the thing’s you’d want a center to do in this offense. He can rim run, finish, set picks, swat shots and defend at good to very good levels. Of course, this current iteration of Capela isn’t quite on the form of his days with the Mike D’Antoni Rockets, but on that same note, he does have experience playing opposite to ball-dominant floor generals like James Harden and Trae Young. This projects well for an offense in which Luka Dončić is the center of attention. Capela isn’t exactly elite at anything, but if he were to stake LA’s tax payer exception, then you’re most certainly maximizing those resources.
    • Brook Lopez – Similar to Capela, Lopez is coming off his final year in his deal, which saw him make $23M with the Milwaukee Bucks. Lopez, 37, put together a very solid season where he averaged 13ppg, 5rpg and 1.9bpg on 51%FG in 80 games. You have to like that durability; additionally, this is the third consecutive season where he has played over 78 games. Unlike Capela, Brook’s play-style is more akin to that of a floor spacer. He shot over %37 from three on close to 5 attempts. He’d be a phenomenal pick and pop partner from Dončić or LeBron (should he return). He’s also an exceptional free throw shooter having shot 82%FT last season, so you’d have no reservation playing him in foul situations late in games. But as talented as Lopez is, anyone who’s familiar with the way Luka likes to play knows that he likes his bigs to roll hard to the rim, triggering the low-help defense which in turn opens up shooters. This isn’t exactly Brook’s strength, as he excels more in the role of a trailer; shooting the open shot at the top of the key, or initiating handoff action on delay sets. These are fine skills to have, however, he isn’t the perfect big to partner with Luka. With that said, if Lopez can be had for the tax-payer exception, you take him in a heartbeat. You know that he’s someone that you can count on to be available and provide above average play at the center position. For anything more than that, you’d have to look at his age (LA should be trying to get younger) and lack of mobility (defense) as factors to consider perhaps looking at other avenues.
    • Steven Adams – As your starter, he’s maybe not the best option. But if he’s your backup, then you’re in business. The 31 year-old Australian is the type of grizzled vet that this team needs. His reputation as an enforcer would go a long way to helping the Lakers shed their perceived lack of toughness. His stats, though unspectacular, are solid for a backup center. With 3.9ppg and 5.6rpg on 54%FG (on a limited 13.7 minutes a game), he’d be a more than ideal candidate to shepherd the second unit. He’s coming off the final year in his deal which earned him over $12M, but I think he’d be a decent target for LA’s $5.9M tax payer mid-level exemption. I think some team will probably value him at slightly higher than a veteran’s minimum. For the tax-payer exemption he’s a solid acquisition. He is not an über productive stats machine, but his impact and presence are still felt. He’s had tremendous influence on the last two playoff teams he’s played for (Memphis and Houston), providing leadership and hard-nosed physicality. As a starter, you’re probably asking too much from Adams. At this stage, he isn’t incredibly dynamic or durable, and isn’t one to consistently produce highlight plays. But his defensive ability is still there, and he’s an able and experienced body to fill the interior with. As a bench sub, he’s all you want in a big man.

    Realistic Trade Options:

    • Daniel Gafford – He’s a familiar face. We know he’s had recent success playing with Luka during the Dallas’ run to the finals last season. With the Mavs winning the NBA Lottery (and expected to take Duke Star Forward Cooper Flagg), and their recent acquisition of Anthony Davis, as well as Dereck Lively’s looming 2027 payday (when he’ll be an restricted FA), the Mavericks may be willing to trim their front court in order to make room for those impending contracts. This leaves Gafford as the odd man out. The 26 year-old is coming off an outstanding year with Dallas, with 12.3ppg, 6.8rpg, and 1.8bpg on a hyper-efficient 71%FG. He also shoots a respectable 69%FT. After thriving as a backup in Dallas, he is now looking for a starting role, and eventually (in the summer 2027) starter money, both of which the Lakers can provide. Fit-wise, Gafford is quite optimal. He’s a very good defender, with excellent shot blocking instincts. He can run the floor, set a screen and dive to the hoop where he is an above average finisher. He’s already established chemistry with Luka from their Dallas days, and is simply a weapon for teams to contend with on the pick and roll. He has an exceptional motor which allows him to defend aggressively and then run the floor where he can beat his man down the court. He’s also very effective as a trailer, which means he’s the type of guy you want in a Luka offense. To top it off, he possesses soft hands, which allow him to be a play-maker on short roll situations and finish around the basket with touch. So what will he cost? Well, in an ideal world the Lakers could net Gafford for one of Rui Hachimura’s or Gabe Vincent’s expiring salaries plus an additional pick (plus maybe a pick swap). So what’s the catch? Well, the ball will once again be in Mavs GM Nico Harrison’s court, who after dealing Luka Dončić to the Lakers, will be under tight scrutiny from the Dallas fanbase. Could a second trade with the Lakers be something he could sell the Dallas faithful on? It’ll all come down to what type of value he expects the Lakers to give up. I believe the Lakers can offer a fair return. But if that’s not enough, then that’s when you walk away. Hopefully there’s still enough goodwill there, because Gafford would be a hell of a get.
    • Nic Claxton – Similar to Clint Capela and Daniel Gafford. Nic Claxton is a great vertical threat, especially as a roll man on ball screens. At 26 years of age, he’s someone who’s a natural fit with this current Lakers core. He’s coming off a strong season, where he posted averages of 10.3ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.2apg and 1.4bpg on 56%FG. He also shot 51% from the free throw line, which could present some issues late in games. Claxton is a young and springy athlete, who excells in many areas that the Lakers could use. He’s a great finisher, and can operate at a high level on the pick and roll. He can also make plays on short roll situations, when teams hard hedge or trap the ball handler. I like his energy and motor. His durability is another plus, as he’s played in 70 or more games during the last three seasons. Claxton will likely be costly, as he is a young, quality and durable big man. First round picks would definitely be in play, from the Lakers’ side. However, if the price is anything more than expiring contracts (i.e. Gabe Vincent) plus a pick, then the Lakers should walk away. For instance, if the asking price is Rui, Knecht and a first, then that’s an overpay. Nic Claxton at the right price is an excellent addition, anything more than that and he could actually set you back.

    High End Trade Options:

    • Bam Adebayo – Bam’s a borderline star if he isn’t one already. With averages of 19ppg, 10.1rpg, and 4.5apg on 48%FG and 76%FT, the 27 year old is one of the best centers in basketball. This past season he also added a bit of floor spacing to his arsenal, shooting 36%3pt on nearly 3 attempts. I’m not sure what Miami’s future plans are for Adebayo, but after dealing Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline and later exiting the playoffs unceremoniously, it’s possible that they continue to sell off their remaining pieces in order to kickstart their rebuild. Bam’s salary, however, makes trading for him a bit trickier. He’s slated to earn over $37M in 2026. After that, his new extension kicks in, which bumps his salary up to $51M in 2027, $55M in 2028 plus a $59M player option in 2029. This means that trading for Bam would require stacking salaries, in addition to parting with most of LA’s assets like Reaves, Knecht, picks and pick swaps. After his new extension kicks in for 2027, you’re pretty much locked in to him and Luka (should Luka sign his extension) as your two best players. Leaving few resources to add depth, and fewer assets to deal for pieces, as a Bam trade basically requires emptying the asset chest. Is Bam worth it? As good of a player as he is, I don’t think he’d be worth it. His salary following his extension will simply be too high, and will limit the team’s ability to build a cohesive roster. But from a pure fit standpoint, Bam is about as good as it gets. He’s a tremendous pick and roll weapon and an elite finisher. He can both pop and roll. He’s also incredibly dynamic on handoffs, as he has enough ballhandling chops to drive to the rim after he fakes the handoff, when the defense over-helps on the cutter. If he had a more reasonable contract, he’d be a perfect fit. As it stands, his salary makes him both an unrealistic and non-practical option. But that’s not to say he isn’t a great player, because he is.
    • Walker Kessler – Perhaps one of the most talked about options, as his name has been tossed around in trade rumors for a moment, Kessler is definitely a name to look out for. As a member of the Utah Jazz, Kessler produced averages of 11.1ppg, 12.2rpg and 2.4bpg on a blistering 66%FG this past season. He also shot 52% from the free throw line. He’s a valued commodity by Utah GM Danny Ainge, who has held steady on his asking price for Kessler; that being two first round picks. Kessler is certainly a unique talent; at 7’0″ and 245lbs, he’s certainly a force to behold on the interior. He possesses great length and athleticism for his size, which allows him to be a high-end vertical threat on screen and rolls. His defensive abilities are also top notch, as he’s one of the better rim protectors at 23 years of age. For all of his virtues, I don’t consider Kessler to be worth the gaudy price tag. Yes, he’s a great fit from an x’s and o’s perspective, but he does have certain limitations, particularly as it pertains to free throw shooting and playmaking. For his price tag, you’d expect a more well-rounded player. His salary though, is quite team friendly, as he’s still on his rookie deal (which earns him $4.8M next season) but he’ll be eligible to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2026. Again, if he can be had for a reasonable price, then sure, pull the trigger. But I don’t foresee Danny Ainge wanting to give the Lakers anything resembling a fair bargain, thus he’ll push Kessler’s value past any realistic evaluation when it comes to dealing with LA. He already bailed out Pelinka once in the 2023 trade deadline, and again (unbeknownst to him) during the Luka Dončić trade. So he’ll obviously be looking to “win” this round over Pelinka. Probably not worth the trouble, even though Kessler is obviously a unique talent in the NBA.
    • Jarrett Allen – Definitely one of the better, and more well rounded center options that may potentially be available. One of my personal favorites. At 26 years of age, Allen is a very complete center who would easily fill LA’s gap at the 5. With season averages of 13.5ppg, 9.7rpg, 0.9bpg on 70%FG and 70%FT, Allen is one of the more productive and consistently available (he played all 82 games this past season) centers in basketball. After Cleveland’s disappointing playoff showing, the team may look to shake things up. Given their slight redundancy at the center position, with Allen and Evan Mobley both making big time money, Cleveland could move one of them in order to bolster other areas of need. Allen would be their odd man out, as Mobley has the much higher ceiling. If so, great news for LA, as they can realistically offer the Cavs an enticing package in exchange for Allen’s services. Allen is set to make $20M in 2026, which makes salary matching fairly easy. Any combination Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber (all expiring contracts) can get you there. Of course, additional assets and/or draft capital would be required, in the form of Dalton Knecht and picks/pick swaps. This is a fair trade, in my opinion, and one that you seriously consider making. Allen would solve several of the Lakers’ issues (size, lack of a “true” big, interior rim protection, etc.) and his age lines up nicely with the Lakers’ core. If Cleveland wants to play ball, the Lakers should oblige.

    Darkhorse (read: unrealistic) Free Agent:

    • Myles Turner – Highly touted Indiana big man Myles Turner is primed to hit free agency this summer, as his $20M/year contract is set to expire. Turner is a name most Lakers fans should be familiar with, as he was the subject of several trade rumors three offseasons ago in the summer of 2022, when the Lakers were looking to unload Russell Westbrook, and his massive contract. Russell Westbrook and multiple first round picks in exchange for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield was the reported offer. LA ultimately (and correctly) passed on this offer, as they deemed the asking price to be too high. This time they *might* have the chance to sign Turner outright. The 29 year old center had averages of 15.6ppg, 6.5rpg and 2bpg on 48%FG and 77%FT. He’s also an elite floor spacer with 39%3pt from range. Unfortunately, Turner is a vital piece in Indiana’s roster, who are currently rolling in the playoffs and set to face off against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. So this makes him highly unlikely to leave his current club, as the mutual interest will certainly be there. From the Lakers’ perspective, attaining Turner is highly unlikely, hence the category. For the offseason, LA will have little money to spend on free agents. If LeBron James opts in to his $52M player option, the Lakers will have no cap room. Leaving them with just the $5.9M tax payer exemption as the only resource to add a free agent. Even if LeBron takes the requisite paycut to activate the full mid level exception (roughly $14M), that’s still not enough to lure someone of Tuner’s stature. He is very clearly a great fit. Even though he is not quite the vertical threat as someone like Bam or Nic Claxton, he has unique gravity for a big man with his three point shooting. His finishing is also decent enough. But his ability as a pop man would certainly open up avenues for the offense. Defensively, you like the swat numbers and overall rim protection. And with his athletic profile, he’s definitely someone who can fill the lane in transition, rim run and/or excel as a trailer. Very dynamic player, who is one of the main reasons Indiana is still playing this deep into the postseason. Unfortunately for LA, he’s more of a pipe dream at this point. But if the stars somehow align for the Lakers and Turner, then he’d be a great pillar to add to the roster.

    Out of these targets, I’d say that Capela and Gafford seem like the best natural fits, in terms of x’s and o’s and budgetary limitations. The Lakers won’t have a ton of money to spend on the market, nor do they have an overabundance of assets to flip for a superstar big, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo. As a result, they’ll have to make their choices wisely and carefully. A player like Capela fits into the team’s $5.9M tax-payer exemption, and would be good allocation of that money. Someone like Gafford would also align with the assets the Lakers can offer. Some combination of Rui Hachimura and a first round pick for Daniel Gafford would be a wise move that the team could make.

    Ideally, you’d want to see the Lakers land both a starting center and a backup center. As we saw throughout the Lakers’ brief playoff stint, JJ Redick quickly lost faith in Jaxson Hayes, the only center on the roster. After Hayes was sidelined, the team had no viable options to play at the 5, thus they were forced to play small, and were subsequently punished by Minnesota’s formidable front court. In my opinion this was the main reason for the team’s woes in the playoffs. As we are witnessing in this season’s playoffs, teams with two-big lineups are reaping the benefits of their size and physicality. Depth at the center position has always been an essential foundation for winning basketball, even in today’s pace and space landscape.

    Additionally, you want to have a dynamic big man (or two) on the roster, in order to fully optimize a Luka Dončić-led offense. Luka is a pick and roll wizard. Thus, bigs who are mobile, can set good screens and are athletic enough to finish strong at the hoop are vital pieces in that play style. Any big who is a threat to finish at the rim after setting a pick will always trigger the low help which in turn opens up shooters on the perimeter. And bigs who are threats to pop after screening will open up driving lanes for other players. That’s why dynamic and versatile big men are vital in today’s NBA, not just in a Luka offense. The Lakers sorely lacked in this area, an area where Jaxson Hayes alone was not nearly sufficient to keep them competitive. Should the Lakers brass nail their quest for a center this offseason, it will open up numerous possibilities for the offense, and make them all the more formidable. Let’s hope they’re successful in that task. Go Lakeshow.