Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[SleepingHero]

Lakers have a ton of cap room, so they’ll get somebody (probably 3-4 decent players, tbh) - unless they botch free agency by tying their hands with an RFA.

They'll probably overpay 1-2 people.

As long as they don't get a center I'll be fine.

[SleepingHero]

NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
The Lakers are showing interest in Quentin Grimes, per @GrantAfseth

[Chicagojk]

Lakers have a ton of cap room, so they’ll get somebody (probably 3-4 decent players, tbh) - unless they botch free agency by tying their hands with an RFA.

They will find players.   They also have advantages with players most teams do not have.  Still, this offseason is meant to bring a nucleus around Luka that will build into a championship.   That is the tricky spot.   They, like most of the good but not great teams in the West, all have similar problems with SA and OKC positioned so well.

[Moviemavguy]

I still think people underestimate being stuck with PJ and Gaffords contracts. There is obviously still time, but with the second apron, teams aren't gonna line up to take on a good amount of money for B tier players.

[KillerLeft]

Lakers have a ton of cap room, so they’ll get somebody (probably 3-4 decent players, tbh) - unless they botch free agency by tying their hands with an RFA.

My prediction, mostly because I'll believe LeBron James plays his final season(s) for the MLE as the 3rd-5th most highly paid player on his own team when I see it, is that the Lakers will get no significant free agents, not renounce LeBron's cap hold and end up sign and trading him wherever he decides to play for a very underwhelming "value."

[speedkilz88]

Marcus Sasser

Measured: 6’1.25” barefoot, 6’2.75” in shoes, 8’1.5” standing reach, 192.6 lbs, 6’7.0” wingspan at the 2022 NBA G-League Elite Camp … 
Measured 6′ 1.25” barefoot, 8′ 3.50” standing reach, 195.6 lbs and a 6′ 7.00” wingspan and a 27 inch standing vertical and a 35′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …

[SleepingHero]

My prediction, mostly because I'll believe LeBron James plays his final season(s) for the MLE as the 3rd-5th most highly paid player on his own team when I see it, is that the Lakers will get no significant free agents, not renounce LeBron's cap hold and end up sign and trading him wherever he decides to play for a very underwhelming "value."

Lebron and the Lakers both tweeted farewells to each other. I think that book is closed now.

Edit, I am dumb and didnt see the "trading" part of your sign and trading sentence. So I am leaving this up for posterity and lols.

[SleepingHero]

Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne)
LeBron James and/or his representatives will talk to a few teams after free agency opens in a few hours. A source close to the process says there's “no rush" for him to make a decision.

[Smitty]

I still think people underestimate being stuck with PJ and Gaffords contracts.  There is obviously still time, but with the second apron, teams aren't gonna line up to take on a good amount of money for B tier players.

I know it's not popular to defend these two on here, but it's just as likely they look good/great again, with competent Gaurd play, as it is that they're "washed" or past their peak. I don't think either forgot how to play. I think the Mavs need more than Kyrie to make it work, but that's not those guys problem. Role players are role players for a reason. Put them in the right role (finishers), and they'll be just fine. Masai and Schmitz need to have a plan and execute it. If either of those guys aren't part of it, fine. Get 'equal to' role players that work better without playmaking on the floor. (whomever that might be)

[KillerLeft]

And there are levels for premium backup bigs. 

Then only backup big that is close to Gafford is Robinson. If he goes for the MLE I'd be a little concerned about Gafford deal, but I think BRK may overpay just a tad.

Yeah, I just don't agree with the emboldened distinction, at least in terms of solid financial team-building. 

Are there specific fits we'd like better than others? Sure, but Gafford doesn't really check many boxes for me here anymore, and even if he did I don't think it's worth the premium price the Mavs are paying. Just my opinion.

[omahen]

My prediction, mostly because I'll believe LeBron James plays his final season(s) for the MLE as the 3rd-5th most highly paid player on his own team when I see it, is that the Lakers will get no significant free agents, not renounce LeBron's cap hold and end up sign and trading him wherever he decides to play for a very underwhelming "value."

There is plenty of time before FA are actually officially signed to do all kinds of different moves. Even if the deals are announced today, the actual business formally starts on July 6th. I also think SnT could be very much in play, but I never thought it to be a way to generate serious return. For example, for Cavs it would be as simple as sending Strus and Schroeder to another team(s) and Lakers would be gentlemen and help do a SnT for a SRP or something. They can always renounce the TE they would get and receive all of their cap space back. SnT is not an obstacle for that.

My dream SnT target would be Allen, but I am affraid Lakers would need to add a FRP

[KillerLeft]

I know it's not popular to defend these two on here, but it's just as likely they look good/great again, with competent Gaurd play, as it is that they're "washed" or past their peak. I don't think either forgot how to play. I think the Mavs need more than Kyrie to make it work, but that's not those guys problem. Role players are role players for a reason. Put them in the right role (finishers), and they'll be just fine. Masai and Schmitz need to have a plan and execute it. If either of those guys aren't part of it, fine. Get 'equal to' role players that work better without playmaking on the floor. (whomever that might be)

I think PJW can still be a premium role player for a playoff contender who needs his skills. I think he's "worth" his contract in the right circumstances. Imo, with Flagg being the center of this rebuild, what's needed is spacing around him, not more of what he (Flagg) is good at. It's not that I don't think PJW can fit here when he plays, it's just that with as much shooting as I think is needed, I think "when he plays" is very likely to be a smaller and smaller percentage of each game the longer this rebuild goes on. I think that contract is going to look worse and worse if he doesn't land in the right situation soon. 

Same for Gafford, to an extent, and for Naji Marshall. We can disagree about my thinking, but I mention all of this to make it clear that not loving the fit of those players here, especially relative to what they cost, is not remotely close to undervaluing their quality as players. Not for everyone in that camp, at least.

[KillerLeft]

There is plenty of time before FA are actually officially signed to do all kinds of different moves. Even if the deals are announced today, the actual business formally starts on July 6th. I also think SnT could be very much in play, but I never thought it to be a way to generate serious return. For example, for Cavs it would be as simple as sending Strus and Schroeder to another team(s) and Lakers would be gentlemen and help do a SnT for a SRP or something. They can always renounce the TE they would get and receive all of their cap space back. SnT is not an obstacle for that.

My dream SnT target would be Allen, but I am affraid Lakers would need to add a FRP

Right, I get it. But, the "cap room" LA has is largely dependent on the Lakers renouncing Lebron's huge cap hold, to my understanding. 

What I'm predicting is that they won't land a free agent significant enough to warrant taking that path. I could be wrong.

[omahen]

Right, I get it. But, the "cap room" LA has is largely dependent on the Lakers renouncing Lebron's huge cap hold, to my understanding. 

What I'm predicting is that they won't land a free agent significant enough to warrant taking that path. I could be wrong.

They don't need to officially renounce his cap hold before they officially sign new players. His cap hold and potential SnT is not impacting the FA game unless it is bringing salary back or it drags deeper in July.

To be honest, I don't have any idea what the final LA plan is. But, they need to strike big this summer or jobs will be on the line. I would also be very surprised if main things aren't lined up already, for whatever they might be.

[KillerLeft]

They don't need to officially renounce his cap hold before they officially sign new players. His cap hold and potential SnT is not impacting the FA game unless it is bringing salary back or it drags deeper in July.

To be honest, I don't have any idea what the final LA plan is. But, they need to strike big this summer or jobs will be on the line. I would also be very surprised if main things aren't lined up already, for whatever they might be.

...which it VERY likely would need to do, given the mature, contending teams in which LeBron is likely have interest, and vice versa. I suppose there are teams who might sign up to be a third team and eat salary, but that would make it more costly on LeBron's new team (and lesson the benefit for the Lakers to facilitate the deal, probably). 

All of that to say, I view the LeBron sign and trade option as "either/or" with a big free agency splash made by the Lakers, not "in addition to." To your point, it's not impossible, but I DON'T think LeBron is going to play for the MLE. I think we're talking about a BIG sign and trade. This is just my prediction, however.

[omahen]

...which it VERY likely would need to do, given the mature, contending teams in which LeBron is likely have interest, and vice versa. I suppose there are teams who might sign up to be a third team and eat salary, but that would make it more costly on LeBron's new team (and lesson the benefit for the Lakers to facilitate the deal, probably). 

All of that to say, I view the LeBron sign and trade option as "either/or" with a big free agency splash made by the Lakers, not "in addition to." To your point, it's not impossible, but I DON'T think LeBron is going to play for the MLE. I think we're talking about a BIG sign and trade. This is just my prediction, however.

The only big SnT that would make sense from Lakers perspective is imho Allen. GSW and Miami don't really have anything of interest for LA.

[KillerLeft]

The only big SnT that would make sense from Lakers perspective is imho Allen. GSW and Miami don't really have anything of interest for LA.

I agree, kind of. I still think you're only looking at it from the Lakers' perspective, and I think there's a pretty decent chance they strike out and are left with only unexciting options. 

I think Pelinka is a bottom five GM in the league. If I were a Lakers fan I'd be bracing myself for an underwhelming summer.

[OBX Maverick]

Shams is reporting that Kyrie has reached out to LeBron about James joining the Mavericks.  That would be interesting. The bookend to his career… LeBron would meet Masai’s height requirement, too LOL.

[SleepingHero]

The only big SnT that would make sense from Lakers perspective is imho Allen. GSW and Miami don't really have anything of interest for LA.

Yeah but is CLE realistically interested in trading their starting center for 42 year old Lebron?

[KillerLeft]

Chams is reporting that Kyrie has reached out to LeBron about James joining the Mavericks.  That would be interesting. The bookend to his career… LeBron would meet Masai’s height requirement, too LOL.

Hahaha...speak it into existence, COW!