TRADE: Kessler to Lakers | 2 FRPs and 2 Swaps to UTA

[FireNicoHarrison]

I think you might be missing his point.

I don't miss a point from '98.

I'm joking guys... But those were my opinions.

[SleepingHero]

Lakers media is waffling between being happy for finally getting a center but thinking this team isn’t good enough.

@DamnienPetersNBA

Luka Doncic will eventually leave the Lakers. He will be the first all-time great in the modern era to not win a championship with the franchise because the front office is incapable of building a sustainable contender. They just wasted the most cap space in the league on a team that is likely worse than last year and exhausted their entire supply of draft capital in the process.

[FireNicoHarrison]

It's all very funny...

[SleepingHero]

I mean I can’t believe Sam Quinn just outright said this. He’s not a Mavs homer either


Sam Quinn

@SamQuinnCBS

I think the Lakers went all in on a roster that’s destined to lose to the Thunder and/or Spurs. They just don’t have the capacity to get the wings they’ll need now.

Luka’s best chance at a title, imo, is returning to Dallas in 2028 and rolling with Cooper Flagg. Pretty easily

[DallasMaverick]

Pelinka is still on of the worst GM in the league.

Lakers squad is mediocre at best.

That's very good of season.

I thought he was one of the very best - that’s how he ended up with Luka. 

And Nico was one of the very worst - that’s because he traded away Luka.

Are you saying that Nico was actually better than Pelinka?

[FireNicoHarrison]

I thought he was one of the very best - that’s how he ended up with Luka. 

And Nico was one of the very worst - that’s because he traded away Luka.

Are you saying that Nico was actually better than Pelinka?

That trade was Silver idea.

Pelinka is a bad GM
Harrison is a sold one

[DallasMaverick]

That is a very credible point that has also crossed my mind. But what would be the reason? Smart could easily get same money or more with Lakers and would be a starter. Unlikely he will be one in Houston. Rui I could understand he could be looking at a bit more exposed offensive role elsewhere. Kennard probably same role in Phoenix as he would have in Lakers. Would it really be possible that all of these career role players would hate the lockerroom so much? Or perhaps they didn't like being the afterthought in LA, as all the focus was on cap space.

Maybe players don’t really like playing with Luka.

[SleepingHero]

I’m seriously trying to wonder how the Lakers get any defensive wings. They have no assets or any real way to contract match.

I was thinking maybe absorbing Braun or Cam Johnson but they can’t, and I doubt Denver is interested in Vando.

[DallasMaverick]

I’m seriously trying to wonder how the Lakers get any defensive wings. They have no assets or any real way to contract match.

I was thinking maybe absorbing Braun or Cam Johnson but they can’t, and I doubt Denver is interested in Vando.

Spent too much money on Reaves and Kessler.

Needed more $15-20m solid mid-level players.

This is why Dallas has such a huge advantage over the next 3 years. Their superstar is really cheap.

[SleepingHero]

@NickVanExit

Replacing LeBron, Smart, Kennard, probably Rui, and all tradeable picks with

Walker Kessler
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Quentin Grimes
Colin Sexton

Does not seem good!

[SleepingHero]

Spent too much money on Reaves and Kessler.

Needed more $15-20m solid mid-level players.

This is why Dallas has such a huge advantage over the next 3 years. Their superstar is really cheap.

They are primed for sure to get a big signing. As long as they don’t make any dumb trades they are set up well for 2028

[FireNicoHarrison]

Lakers are done my friends.

Even with a 50-20-20 season by Luka.

[cow]

Come home, Luka.  We miss you.

[DallasMaverick]

Come home, Luka.  We miss you.

I’d take him back in a heartbeat on a vet min deal. Maybe even the MLE.

[F Gump]

If I look at it a bit differently. Kessler is imho a better fitting 3rd best player than LeBron. So I am ok with this swap (not regarding the cost). The problem I have is: Smart, Rui, Kennard >>>>>> Sexton, Grimes, Sandro. Smart+Kennard is 13 mil, Rui will likely get a MLE, so 28 mil combined. This is less than the new trio.

LA quickly ran out of money to spend. In fact, there's talk they have to shed some salary before they can do the Kessler deal. I'm sure several (if not most) of the ones who left did so because they want to get paid.

[khaled1987]

I mean I can’t believe Sam Quinn just outright said this. He’s not a Mavs homer either


Sam Quinn

@SamQuinnCBS

I think the Lakers went all in on a roster that’s destined to lose to the Thunder and/or Spurs. They just don’t have the capacity to get the wings they’ll need now.

Luka’s best chance at a title, imo, is returning to Dallas in 2028 and rolling with Cooper Flagg. Pretty easily

Or joining Jokic in Denver. 
That will at least make their 2029 more interesting

[cow]

Or joining Jokic in Denver. 
That will at least make their 2029 more interesting

If I were a gambling man, that's where my money would go.

[SleepingHero]

Or joining Jokic in Denver. 
That will at least make their 2029 more interesting

Not sure they have the money for that.

Murray and Gordon will both be on the books for a combined 107mil. Braun as well for 25 mil. 

Jokic has a player option for 63 mil. Let’s assume he takes a small discount on his next extension (which is very unlikely but let’s assume he’s preparing) but that’s another 50 mil starting salary. Unless the Lakers want Murray, I don’t see that happening.

But we’ll see.

[KillerLeft]

I wouldn't be surprised if Ayton is going to Utah in the Kessler trade. It would kind of make sense for both teams

Hayes signed away instead. Crazy.

[SleepingHero]

Hayes signed away instead. Crazy.

Kind of telling Jazz went for Hayes for 6mil and let the Lakers have Kessler for 33 mil. 

Kessler is a fantastic player and much better than Hayes, but almost 6 times better?