(06-30-2025, 02:25 AM)FireNicoHarrison Wrote: So we trade our NBA Finals core to LA in 1 years?
Wow that's more than stupid.

No thanks, let Fakers& Luka with that old ass LeBron and a bunch of overrated players.

(06-30-2025, 02:34 AM)DL2RimRocker Wrote: I tend to agree for the most part, but if we're basically trading Gaff for LeBron I wouldn't be overly upset.
Klay, Hardy, and Powell would be addition by subtraction as far as I'm concerned.

(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.

(06-30-2025, 04:53 AM)omahen Wrote: Ayton is obviously not perfect. But, I am more comfortable having him at least as a stop gap solution than spending everything on someone like Kessler. Ayton as a fourth or fifth starter is just fine, imho.

(06-30-2025, 05:48 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Stein is reporting DLO will sign a two year contract.  I assume this will include a player option.  It would be great if it was a team option or just a two year contract, but I assume it will be a player option.

He is also reporting, Mavs will look to move off Omax to sign Exum.  Can the Mavs get a bidding war for Omax where they get a second round pick back?  It will show Nico's negotiating.  Still young player with not much left on his contract.  Will someone want to take a small gamble they can turn him into a rotation player.

I assume Lakers are the clear lead for Ayton, but I expect many others to register interest.  IMO, he needs to play on a team with a player he sees as a clear alpha.  The PHX thing was tricky.  He was the #1 pick, saw himself as core building blocks, than there was some ego stuff with him with Paul and the coach.  He just wasn't ready to accept the role he should have been in.  I am surprised he did not play better in Portland.  That is sort of a flag, but you could explain that as well if you were looking for reasons.    He clearly has not brought it every night and there is legitimate concern if he will ever bring it.  I do think he would be a great signing for LAL and a few others though.  He needs to change what he thinks he is though and accept what he should be.

(06-30-2025, 06:00 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Something I have never said before, I really like the Hornets move so far.  I really like Kon.  Probably not my fourth best prospect but he is really good.  All their other moves have been good for me.  They need a starting center.  Big year for Lamelo to prove he can be a winning type player and not all flash/injured.  He may be the next to move if he does not show he can do this.

(06-30-2025, 07:09 AM)Smitty Wrote: @esidery
Expect strong mutual interest between the Lakers and Deandre Ayton when he is officially eligible to sign with a new team.

Ayton wants to join a contender, plus he would love the idea of potentially playing alongside fellow 2018 draft class member Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

(06-30-2025, 07:32 AM)Winter Wrote: Brooks Lopez - Games played the last 3 years - 78, 79, 80
DeAndre Ayton - Games played the last 3 years - 67, 55, 40

(06-30-2025, 07:35 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: Ok, that's fair. But Ayton is 26 yrs old, Lopez is 37.

(06-30-2025, 07:48 AM)Smitty Wrote: There would NOT be a trade market for LeBron James if he requested a trade from the Lakers, per
@BobbyMarks42

(06-30-2025, 07:08 AM)Smitty Wrote: [Stein/Fischer] Houston has emerged as the foremost threat to sign Dorian Finney-Smith away from the Lakers. There were strong suggestions Sunday that Houston is preparing a four-year offer for Finney-Smith perhaps at a figure shy of the full MLE amount. The Lakers remain hopeful of retaining him.