Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Dundalis]

I don't understand why would Lakers have interest in the first place (even if it is a buyout). Their roster so far is making a decent sense in terms of personel and roles, Klay would imho simply not fit in. Their remaining need is a SF/PF type, imho. Spending assets on Klay would be imho a very bad move.

- They have 16 players signed already. Their depth at SG/SF spots is: Reaves, Grimes, Thybulle, Williams and Carr. Without taking into account Knecht and Hardy, from which at least one would be gone. SG/SF position is covered well, imho. 

- They have plenty of tertiary scoring on the team with Sexton, Grimes. They also have plenty of volume 3pt shooting - besides Luka and AR, Grimes and Sexton attempted over five threes per game. Williams and Carr will also be volume shooters in their limited minutes. 

- They need defenders next to Luka and AR and Klay is not it. They brought Williams and Thybulle to play defense, but if they bring Klay now, their minutes would be reduced to neglectable. 

- Their primary position of need is a SF/PF wing, preferably one that is an above average defender. 

- Lakers intentionally went young this summer. Looney is the oldest player and he is 30. 

As for the trade:

- even Vando for Klay doesn't make much sense for Lakers, as they would create even a bigger hole at PF spot with even less assets to bring in someone else. Unless the plan would be to play Luka full time at PF (on defense), creating room for three smaller PG/SG/SF types. But I also don't believe in such a lineup, as they would be (too) small. 

- trading something like Hardy and Knecht for Klay would solve the roster crunch, but they would come very close to the first apron, again leaving less flexibility

The rumors linking the Lakers to PJ sound more feasible. Don't really have anything we'd want though outside Carr.