The Los Angeles Lakers 2024-2025 NBA Season

[Retroram52]

After a 6-game winning streak, the Lakers lose 2 at home. Their weakness at a defensive Center was exposed against Denver again and Orlando really made them pay. I suggest, if they want to trade with Portland for Williams the third, they should get on with it. Move say Vaderbilt and Woods, who aren't playing much and add Hood-Schifino as well.

The Lakers reportedly have another center they're interested in trading for

Add another serviceable defensive-minded center to the list of big men the Lakers are reportedly targeting.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Retroram52]

Some of these sports pundits are smokin' the good shit when they come-up with these ridiculous trades like the following one:

Bleacher Report mock trade has Lakers landing two 3-and-D wings

This mock trade would give the Lakers not one but two of the 3-and-D wings they have lacked, but would the price be a little too steep?

www.yahoo.com

 

[DJ Fieri]

I know this is late....but damn.....Knecht and Kobe are the 2 players with most consecutive points in the last 25 years for the Lakers....

Kobe did it twice, once with 23 and 22.....and Knecht 4 once with 22 last week.

 

[DJ Fieri]

And in all honesty.....once Bron retires.....probably after NEXT season most likely.....

AD, Reaves, and Knecht 4 is a pretty damn nice trio to build around.....Reaves could really develop into a #2 option if AD is the #1.....Knecht 4 could be a solid #3 maybe. Most people think he is just a role player but he really could develop into a #3 IMO.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Reaves getting paid after NEXT season....he gonna opt out of that 14.9 mill option for'26-27 season.

So he getting paid as the #2 most likely....AD and him will have 90-95 mill of the salary cap. Add free agents around those 2 and Knecht 4.

 

[shopson67]

James made 3 straight deep 3's and finished 5 of 9 from deep....

Turning into a sniper.....LOL.

...and then choked at the FT line along with AD. 2-6 in those last three trips, lost by 1.

 

[shopson67]

After a 6-game winning streak, the Lakers lose 2 at home. Their weakness at a defensive Center was exposed against Denver again and Orlando really made them pay. I suggest, if they want to trade with Portland for Williams the third, they should get on with it. Move say Vaderbilt and Woods, who aren't playing much and add Hood-Schifino as well.

The Lakers reportedly have another center they're interested in trading for

Add another serviceable defensive-minded center to the list of big men the Lakers are reportedly targeting.

www.yahoo.com

How long will Williams stay healthy? Big risk. I doubt Portland wants injured players for their finally healthy C.

I think the assumption is that they'll trade for Valanciunas in a few weeks.

 

[shopson67]

Reaves getting paid after NEXT season....he gonna opt out of that 14.9 mill option for'26-27 season.

So he getting paid as the #2 most likely....AD and him will have 90-95 mill of the salary cap. Add free agents around those 2 and Knecht 4.

If he's going to draw that kind of money, maybe he gets traded at the deadline next season. He's great value currently but becomes negative value at that elevated level IMO.

 

[shopson67]

Some of these sports pundits are smokin' the good shit when they come-up with these ridiculous trades like the following one:

Bleacher Report mock trade has Lakers landing two 3-and-D wings

This mock trade would give the Lakers not one but two of the 3-and-D wings they have lacked, but would the price be a little too steep?

www.yahoo.com

It sounded reasonable until they got to the draft compensation. Take out the pick swap.

 

[DJ Fieri]

If he's going to draw that kind of money, maybe he gets traded at the deadline next season. He's great value currently but becomes negative value at that elevated level IMO.

Reaves could turn into a great #2 option next to AD. He could be a 20, 6, 6 type guy IMO. 30-37 mill is fair in this new salary NBA IMO.

 

[DJ Fieri]

...and then choked at the FT line along with AD. 2-6 in those last three trips, lost by 1.

Hey, shit happens....

We are still sitting pretty right now....a lot better than last season with better coaching and still time to upgrade the real weakness, the bench.

 

[shopson67]

Hey, shit happens....

We are still sitting pretty right now....a lot better than last season with better coaching and still time to upgrade the real weakness, the bench.

It's hard to even call the bench a weakness since so much of it isn't even available due to injuries. I'm getting fed up with Vando and Wood, neither was expected to be out this long. There was talk of Wood almost being ready at the start of the season. We finally get good play out of Hayes and he sprains his ankle. That was supposed to be 1-2 weeks, and Wed will be 2 weeks.

I know JJ said Rui wouldn't lose his starting spot to injury, but the Lakers REALLY need a backup PF right now. Start Knecht at the 3 and bring Rui off the bench behind Lebron (and play some 3 as well). Lebron usually subs out first of the starters (or 2nd behind Reddish), so Rui would be first off the bench.

 

[DJ Fieri]

It's hard to even call the bench a weakness since so much of it isn't even available due to injuries. I'm getting fed up with Vando and Wood, neither was expected to be out this long. There was talk of Wood almost being ready at the start of the season. We finally get good play out of Hayes and he sprains his ankle. That was supposed to be 1-2 weeks, and Wed will be 2 weeks

Vandy and Wood will help but they aren't going to magically make the bench a strength. Neither would Hayes.

It might make it a little below average rather than horrible.....LOL.

 

[shopson67]

Vandy and Wood will help but they aren't going to magically make the bench a strength. Neither would Hayes.

It might make it a little below average rather than horrible.....LOL.

It gives them size off the bench. These 4 guard lineups only work in select matchups. Vando immediately improves the defense, which is hovering near the bottom of the league currently.

There is no magic formula to make the bench better. Your trade chips (DLo and Rui) are probably your best bench players today (if Knecht resumes starting of course, putting Rui to the bench). Adding a draft pick might help make DLo and Vincent acceptable trade pieces, but I don't see it clearing the way for a BIG trade, unless they want to really gut their depth and trade for a bad big contract (like LaVine). I don't see Rob moving both available 1sts to really boost the trade package value.

 

[Retroram52]

Both should be packaged with a draft pick and maybe Hood-Schifino in a trade for a legit Center.

 

[Retroram52]

Lakers come to Phoenix today. Might be the third loss in a row if they don't start playing better defense.

 

[Retroram52]

The Lakers need an additional true Center and some more defensive players. The question that must govern future trades under Redick is: Is this trade going to improve us over what we already have on the roster? In this guy's case, I am not sure it would.

Insider: Lakers have been in 'constant contact' about one Nets 3-and-D wing

There is one 3-and-D wing on the Nets' roster whom the Lakers have reportedly been checking in on for a while.

www.yahoo.com

 

[shopson67]

Lakers come to Phoenix today. Might be the third loss in a row if they don't start playing better defense.

Of course, Durant and Beal might return from injury to play tonight. Everyone gets up and healthy for the Lakers.

 

[shopson67]

The Lakers need an additional true Center and some more defensive players. The question that must govern future trades under Redick is: Is this trade going to improve us over what we already have on the roster? In this guy's case, I am not sure it would.

Insider: Lakers have been in 'constant contact' about one Nets 3-and-D wing

There is one 3-and-D wing on the Nets' roster whom the Lakers have reportedly been checking in on for a while.

www.yahoo.com

DFS is a solid SF/PF defender shooting 41% from 3. Ideal to play behind and sometimes with Lebron IMO. Lakers currently have only Rui and Knecht at the 3 (and backup 4). All depends on the cost. Nets have a lot of pieces that would make sense for LA (DFS, Johnson, Schroder, Sharpe, etc). I would include Cam Thomas, but I'm not convinced they want to move him, especially not cheaply (in terms of draft compensation).

Hayes is back tonight, hopefully he can continue his improved play this season but he's not a physical presence. Still think Valanciunas is in LA's sights when he becomes trade eligible in a few weeks.

 

[shopson67]

Next game same as the last - another no-show 3rd quarter leading to a blowout.

C'mon JJ, show your stuff. Fix this ASAP.