Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[omahen]

[Stein/Fischer] On Kuminga & Lakers: “The iron is losing its hotness”. On PJ Washington: “He is NOT someone Lakers are looking to reunite with Luka”.

What omahen said is what I've heard on the Lakers podcasts.  That the Lakers are desperate to maintain their MLE for next year.  Kinda crazy you're so tapped out of assets you are waiting on next year's MLE.  The podcasters/fans made the point isnt PJ a better player than what you could get with a MLE one year from now.

It is not just the MLE. Lets say "option A" is PJ. It would take most if not all of the draft assets and the ability to use MLE next season. If "option B" is "do nothing now", they will have the MLE while keeping whole current team minus LaRavia (could be resigned while still keeping the MLE) and all the assets (adding one more tradeable SRP). Vando will be expiring next year and much easier to trade. So basically a better ability to add two good players. 

I think "option C" they are exploring now is, if they can get a starting level wing for Vando and assets they have while keeping MLE for next season. I think this option is either trading Vando for wing or we will see a TDL trade of Hardy for a wing on expiring deal (unless a Vando deal appears). 

I think they will sign a vet min wing in all three options. Thybulle, DFS (rumors he will get bought out), Agbaji, B.Brown could be interesting candidates. Especially in "option C", this guy would be looking at potentially biger minutes he might not be able to get on any other team.