The Lakers already made their big move of the year by trading for Luka Doncic mid-season. Now, after a five-game playoff run that ended with a loss to the Timberwolves, the team has to figure out how to build the team around him, writes Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link).
The critical pieces this summer will be the player options for LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith. James is reportedly not expected to take a discount deal in what will likely be his last contract, and while he’s expected to return to Los Angeles, it’s not a certainty.
The Lakers could use a mid-range deal like Gabe Vincent‘s $11.5MM or Maxi Kleber‘s $11MM, along with Shake Milton‘s non-guaranteed deal, to bring in a starting big man, but with only one tradable first-round pick available, the return will likely be modest unless the team is willing to include a young player like Dalton Knecht, Gozlan notes.
Finney-Smith has a $15.4MM player option. He is extension-eligible and serves a valuable role as the Lakers’ best wing defender. Austin Reaves is also extension-eligible, but the limitations on what L.A. can offer him make it unlikely a deal gets signed. Finally, Doncic himself will be able to sign an extension on August 2 worth up to a maximum of $229MM over four years.
We have more from around the Pacific division:
- Rui Hachimura was named a Lakers starter by new head coach J.J. Redick in the fall and he repaid that trust with a strong, well-rounded season, writes Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. His shooting, rebounding, and defense were crucial for a team without much depth on the wing. However, with one year and $18.3MM left on his contract, if an extension isn’t reached this summer, Hachimura’s name will likely come up in trade talks as the Lakers look to build a future-facing roster around Doncic.
- The second round of interviews for the Suns‘ head coaching vacancy will begin this week, reports John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix (via Twitter). Phoenix has reportedly narrowed its search down to nine candidates: Sean Sweeney, Micah Nori, Steve Hetzel, Dave Bliss, James Borrego, David Fizdale, Johnnie Bryant, Jordan Ott, and Chris Quinn. The names are interesting for such a veteran team, as only Borrego and Fizdale have previous NBA head coaching experience. The Suns hope the new coach can help build a program from scratch while aligning with owner Mat Ishbia.
- The Suns are facing another lawsuit, the fourth in seven months from a current or former member of the organization, writes ESPN’s Baxter Holmes. The suit, filed on behalf of Gene Traylor, the team’s director of safety, security, and risk management, alleges discrimination, harassment, and retaliation following a presentation by Traylor of risks to the team’s reputation or security. It also alleges that the team discouraged him from taking leave after a cancer diagnosis. “Ms. [Sheree] Wright and her client have made absurd accusations of misconduct surrounding the security department of the Phoenix Suns,” a Suns spokesperson responded to ESPN. Traylor’s team, in response, has claimed that the Suns are trying to publicly discredit Wright, who is on Traylor’s legal team, in an effort to shift focus from their own culpability.
- The Clippers will enter the summer with 13 players under contract, Gozlan writes in his offseason preview (Substack link). Much of the offseason revolves around the player options of James Harden and Nicolas Batum, who has stated that next year will likely be his last season. After a very successful regular season, Harden is expected to decline his option and look for a pay bump, and Gozlan suggests aligning his contract with Kawhi Leonard‘s on a two-year deal could make the most sense for both sides. The Clippers can sign Harden for up to four years, but in that case it’s likely the last two years would be at least partially non-guaranteed, Gozlan writes. The Clippers will also have access to the $14.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level, with which they could add another veteran. The team could also try to sell high on Norman Powell, who is coming off a career year and is extension-eligible.
Draymond for Reaves is my fave trade idea that I think both sides might sign off on.
There is no shot the lakers are giving up a 26 year old entering his prime averaging 20 PPG making 13 million dollars a year for a guy 35 years old on the down slope that makes 25 million a year.
The Lakers need a Center. Podz is a younger version of Reaves.
Zach Collins $18M
Ayo Dosunmu – $7.5M
Gabe Vincent -$11.5M
Maxi Kleber – $11M
2028 1st round pick top 10 protected
Lakers get a guy next to Luka post LeBron in Ayo who doesn’t need the ball, and plays quality defense and is entering his prime. Bulls get expiring deals, more importantly don’t have the need to pay Ayo $25-30M along with a draft pick that’s semi protected.
Key is here to target guys who are going to help Luka win, not LeBron. Ayo does that whether it’s a starting role or 6th man off the bench.
Top 10 protected is not enough. top 4 protectedwould make sense since the 2 players bulls get are back ups
Not really. Zach Collins himself is on an expiring contract along and he’s a backup as well. Ayo is the only asset they would get. I don’t anticipate Lakers drafting ever in the top 10 with Luka so that’s why top 10 protected is more attainable. Plus we shed off money and cash out on Ayo’s contract and value.
Luka could go injured so why not only give them top 4 protection. Bulls are giving up better players so make the lakers pay.
Neither player the bulls are giving up are sure rotation players in the playoffs! They probably aren’t !
Bulls wouldn’t get a Lotto protected first for both from any other team
Let’s say I am 40 years old and I have two head coach offers
I don’t want Suns coach job
Suns won’t be able to hire overachieve coach
I like the trade rumors
Paul George and picks for KD
Why would Phoenix do that?
George and Beal can help #3 pick to develop ….
Ok, interesting idea, but one that makes the Sixers even older. I’m not a Sixers fan, but I wouldn’t do that.
Bron doesn’t need the money. And he is probably in his last year of playing. We also know he doesn’t give up free money. Signing with Cavs for Minimum. Then winning a title. Does get back most of that money lost. And ends his career on top.
Lakers aren’t winning anything next year. And truth is they have to start building team around OneWay Wonder. Does Bron really want to be around for this. By leaving he gives Lakers cap space to really do something. He can even sign in NY for minimum. If he wants the headlines and the media frenzy. Or Celtics for minimum. He is the one who made changing teams a a fad. So why get shy now …
that brings up more questions. 1. what about Bronny? Bronny is known to love the LA area so does he go with his dad? Do the cavs want Bronny on thieir team? Has LeBron given up on a title with Lakers? Lakers will not have Bronny on the bench and probably plays most of his time in the G league if Lebron leaves and he stays.
No offense to Bronny. But what does he have to do with his father’s legacy as a player. He can just man up and go for his own career. In the end he is still the heir to the throne. Unless the NBA helps the Lakers. They are a
6-10 team at best. Winning for Bron can only happen by leaving and taking the minimum. That’s all I’m saying.
We should sue the Suns for what they made us watch.