FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

LA’s target list, which began the day with Brook Lopez, Clint Capela and Ayton on it, quickly shrank to one by the early evening with Lopez agreeing to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers and Capela heading to Houston via a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

Ayton was clearly the team’s top priority. He was picked first in the same draft as Dončić, shares an agency with Dončić under Bill Duffy, who heads WME basketball, and is best equipped to give the Lakers the rolling lob threat Dončić has thrived alongside. Signing Ayton is not without risk – The Athletic’s Jason Quick detailed those in his piece on Ayton’s time with the Blazers — but a return to high-stakes basketball at a critical juncture in his career combined with a point guard who can prop up centers who are way less talented certainly makes this seem worth it.

However, there’s competition. The Milwaukee Bucks, who lost Lopez to the Clippers in free agency, are trying to remain competitive and have access to the full mid-level exception after some cap creativity and a need for a center — giving them the ability to offer roughly $6 million more than the Lakers.

That means the Lakers remain in the middle of one of free agency’s biggest storylines.

And with a team that still has a sale to close, an extension to finalize with Dončić and the handling of James’ final chapters all still to come, they’re probably not going anywhere.

There are some curious players still out there, one’s whom I thought would be among the quicker dominoes to fall. Lopez & Turner are the top 2 names but seeing :’D’Lo get me signed ahead if Clarkson was a curiosity, to me anyhow. My man JC can run an offense, score in a microwave role, and impacts winning better.

With Luke Kornet signing with Spurs most of the bigs are off the table. Of the big names Horford and Ayton are the only two left. Unless there is a trade in the works, it’s looking more like Ayton will be the guy.

We’ll see, they’re going all-in, be interesting to see what players become casualties of the general lack of cap space this summer.

Yeah, I got Goodwin ahead of Bronny lol

Also we’re likely going to waive Shake.

Do we own our 1st round pick next year? Are we actively trying to tank? Is Rob attempting to sabotage us before Bob Meyers takes his job? Even with whoever’s left to play center, this roster is worse than this past season. Apparently, we won’t be playing any defense….

Jake LaRivia Is Dorian Finney-Smith Replacement!Lakers sign younger power forward in 23-year old Jake LaRivia to replace 32-year old Dorian Finney-Smith. 2-years, $12M for the 6' 7", 235 lb forward who averaged 6.9 pts, 3.9 rebs, 2.4 asts, 0.3 blks, 0.9 stls in just 20.4 mpg… https://t.co/EMy6AMNqem pic.twitter.com/ICmAmn7Yi1— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 30, 2025

W recruiting Austin Reaves and Trevor Lane😂😂@Trevor_Lane pic.twitter.com/9tQOMqvd3o— Washed LakersvsHaters (@notlakersgm) June 30, 2025

(think there's a good shot LaRavia is an upgrade of DFS for the Lakers. If not an upgrade, at least very close for a fraction of the price)— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 30, 2025

Los Angeles Lakers salary cap and apron situation after signing Jake LaRavia, presumably with a portion of their mid-level exception.They have $8.3 million remaining of their mid-level.$13.9 million below the first apron hard cap with 12 players. pic.twitter.com/JwYojvaowl— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 30, 2025

Jake LaRavia can. Shoot. Some questions about the athleticism and defense, but he could be a fire alarm shooter. pic.twitter.com/zOxnr99ZF5— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) June 30, 2025

He nice pic.twitter.com/ext7MojUw9— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) June 30, 2025

You’re telling me the Lakers just got this 2-way demon wing for FREE?? pic.twitter.com/FfWUK0eHF6— Jake (@playoffjake) June 30, 2025

If you’re a Lakers fan and don’t know much about Jake LaRavia: I wrote my biggest feature of the year about him earlier this year.Learn more about why Los Angeles made him one of their biggest priorities in free agency this offseason.https://t.co/szEH7KXNZA— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) June 30, 2025

Less money, more years. Lakers made right move assuming Ayton is a lock for NT MLE.

I’m happy to see this. Him and Bruce Brown were the two two guards I had posted about. Looks like he is healthy. He could play next to both Luka and Austin. The intel implies that the interest is mutual.

LAKERS 15-MAN POST-LEBRON TRADE ROSTER:PG: Luka Doncic, Gabe Vincent, Jordan GoodmanSG: Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Shake MiltonSF: Adou Thiero, Dalton Knecht, Jarred VanderbiltPF: PJ Washington, Rui Hachimura, Maxi KleberCE: Daniel Gafford, Deandre AytonCould see some…— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 30, 2025