(06-29-2025, 09:41 PM)F Gump Wrote: Interesting. I dunno if I like or not. It's a lot to give.

One revision needed imo. If PJW goes to Hawks, they have to take Powell also, saving Mavs a pick. Still a major bargain for them, and maybe also revise so a diff player in the mix goes there instead.

And ... w LBJ to DAL, could we also pencil in CP3 for the MLE? Much better player and more help imo.

(06-29-2025, 09:41 PM)omahen Wrote: Interesting things on the center market. BKN didn't pick up Sharpe qualifying offer and now Portland buying out Ayton. Lakers could get their center position patched up without giving assets, saving them for wing upgrades

(06-29-2025, 09:45 PM)Smitty Wrote: CP3 was on my mind for sure. I was just adding all the rumors together with DLO, Exum, and Kai Jones is all.

(06-29-2025, 10:16 PM)F Gump Wrote: I believe both sides do already know what will happen. So I suspect one really good indicator is all the talk we have been hearing of his ongoing fit (and no trade speculation). IOW PJW is very likely staying.

(06-29-2025, 07:10 PM)mvossman Wrote: I would do it.  I don't think LA would be willing to give up the first.

(06-29-2025, 09:38 PM)omahen Wrote: Ayton is being bought out by Portland. I will be surprised if he doesn't sign with Lakers now. Same agent as Luka

(06-29-2025, 10:46 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I will shed some tears for Luka tomorrow, if/when it happens. I feel so bad for him.

(06-29-2025, 09:38 PM)Smitty Wrote: @ShamsCharania
Breaking: Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN.

(06-29-2025, 10:50 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: It's sad man.

I hate the Lakers with a passion, but want Luka to succeed individually. Those two things are naturally at odds. I can see the appeal for the Lakers for Ayton. I mean are there any better centers available? Let alone ones for the MLE with the talent level of Ayton? Plus the Luka Buff is a real thing. Maybe Ayton can make something of himself.

But then I remember how Ayton will 100% take plays off and settle for mid range jumpers instead of rolling to the rim. It's a shame whats happened to his career because he had all the makings of becoming an All-NBA talent.


EDIT: Also there are so many teams in need of a center. Boston, Bucks, Warriors, heck even Charlotte could have a use for Ayton. I don't think he's a 100% lock for the Lakers at all.

(06-30-2025, 12:12 AM)F Gump Wrote: A note for those who like reading tea leaves from puzzling choices --

A year ago, LBJ signed a 1+1, which allowed him to only commit for 1 year, but have the financial security of another year in case bad stuff happens. If he wants stay in LA, he opts out, and then does another 1+1. Year at a time.

But instead he took the option. Playing with no security blanket. Why? If he likes LA, first opting out gives him more security while he plays again for a year. If he wants out of LA, opting out lets him go where he wants, right? So, either way, how in the world does opting IN make any sense at all???

But here's the thing. Oddly enough, opting IN makes a move to another team easier, because no one has cap room to sign him anyhow. And if he was a FA, while he can still obviously move via s-n-t, those have rules and limits and some teams would be ineligible to trade for him. Opting IN, oddly enough, gave him the most FLEXIBLE avenue to get to a different team of his own choosing. And he knows LA would almost certainly cater to him in getting where he might want to go, just as if he was a FA needing a s-n-t deal, if he wants to be moved.

If we factor in all that, does that change our thinking at all? And is DAL with both AD and Kyrie here, and the young prodigy Flagg, very near the top of his wish list? At first. LBJ to DAL feels very absurd, but looking at the whole picture, maybe not so absurd.

It feels to me like we may be very close to "be careful what you wish for" territory. Right?