Technically Magic traded Zubac but not understanding the value of Caruso…after winning the title…is a heinous crime that shall never be forgiven, IMO.

Everyone trying to elevate Rob and JJ before they’ve done anything worthy of real praise. Like saying yes to the superstar handed to you on a platter isn’t something anyone with the job would have done. Same goes for Reddick. He got to the 3rd seed with a mostly healthy roster and was subsequently out-coached in every aspect by Finch…who isn’t even all that great of a coach himself.

Throw in the fact that we’re going to tether our wagon to LeBron until he hangs them up and you can easily see 2-3 seasons of essentially this. I understand, and to some degree even agree with, the Lakers stratagem of being the Elephant Graveyard for NBA Super Stars…but it does have drawbacks.

Mavs and Spurs both have no-state-tax advantages.

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a disappointing first-round playoff exit after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in just five games, and now changes are needed.

The Lakers had the most glaring lineup need in the NBA, and their lack of a real big man ultimately cost them their season. The Lakers traded away superstar big man Anthony Davis in exchange for Luka Doncic. Now that they have Doncic as an offensive-minded guard to run the offense, they might look to deal their other as an Anthony Davis replacement.

The Lakers could look to add a defensive-minded big man to complement Luka Doncic and LeBron James, but parting ways with rising star Austin Reaves could be the solution.

In this trade idea, the Lakers send Austin Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies to bring in two-time All-Star and 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Los Angeles Lakers receive:
-Jaren Jackson Jr.

Memphis Grizzlies receive:
-Austin Reaves
-Jarred Vanderbilt

Of course, a blockbuster deal like this would likely involve some more parts, but the framework could benefit both sides. The Lakers will be desperate to add a big man this offseason, and Jackson Jr. would be an ideal fit alongside Doncic and James.

This season, Jackson Jr. averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc, continuing to improve his offensive game while staying an elite defender.

The Grizzlies adding Austin Reaves would be an interesting fit next to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, but the 26-year-old guard took a huge leap this season and could be a great on-ball creator in Memphis.

It would be hard for both teams to part ways with their respective stars, but it could be a great move to help take each franchise to the next level.

Dallas Mavericks win #NBA Draft Lottery!1.8 chance to #1 pick !!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/VzCwr5Rn97— Drapes (@DrapeauZak) May 12, 2025

Bulls had the same record as Mavs and lost the coin-flip for the #1 pick 😳The half-court gamewinner vs Lakers cost them Cooper Flagg 😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/o95BJgrPsX— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 13, 2025

BREAKING: For the first time in his career, Giannis is 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 about playing for another team, according to Shams.For years, he’s been the cornerstone of the Bucks, and his loyalty to the team has been a defining aspect of his career. In an interview back in… pic.twitter.com/npCcRKeEvd— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 12, 2025

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

During his first season as the Los Angeles Lakers’ new head coach, JJ Redick led his team to a 50-32 record and the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed. This marked the first time L.A. had avoided suiting up for extra games in the play-in tournament since its invention in 2021.

Redick was lauded for his tactical offensive scheming, as well as for his solid efforts leading the club on the other end prior to the Anthony Davis trade.

The club’s lineup with Luka Doncic in tow proved dangerously unbalanced in the postseason.

Redick didn’t exactly help matters, often leaning far too heavily on the five Lakers he most trusted — All-Stars Doncic and LeBron James, forwards Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith, and guard Austin Reaves — and exhausting them by the ends of contests in the club’s eventual five-game playoff series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Doncic’s fitness and defensive issues came into question during the series.

As Khobi Price of The Orange County Register writes, Doncic apparently is hoping to improve during his first offseason as a Laker.

“He wants to be held accountable,” Redick said. “I want to bring out the best version of Luka. And that’s what he wants from me. And so that’s the partnership going forward. That’s the expectation.”

The 6-foot-6 guard, 26, averaged a solid shooting line of 30.2 points on .452/.348/.891 shooting splits, 7.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks a nigh during the series.

But again, he was often unengaged on defense, and looked noticeably less mobile than he has been in years past. And the Lakers did lose 4-1.

“And that’s the baseline of what we’re trying to do,” Redick added of his intentions with Doncic. “Let’s try to bring out the best version of Luka and hopefully win a championship doing that.”