Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

I seriously wonder why the Lakers didn´t simply sign Kessler and dared Ainge to match it. Utah keeps Kessler they have committed $184M for 12 players. Next year they have to pay George and maybe Sensabaugh, too. Not that easy, when you have 135M committed to just three players at PF/C. And who gives you two 1st round picks for Kessler on 35M/year, once he signs the deal.

Pelinka had to "do something" or he'd be fired, and Ainge knows it, just like everyone else on planet Earth. He knew Pelinka couldn't afford to tie up his resources until 7/9 or 7/10 in a waiting game, and he used that knowledge to pants Pelinka. Beautiful work, imho.