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LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Kawhi Situation Getting Worse For Clippers

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September 11, 2025

10

I don’t know if this is THE smoking gun, if only because it isn’t Ballmer.But it’s much, much more of a smoking gun than I expected to be found, and Pablo found it in a week. https://t.co/VB172tSA5S— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) September 11, 2025

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Starting to smell the smoke and see the fire.
  This is going to be damning for the Clippers.
  
  But to me, Kawhi should also go down and
  be punished. Can’t let him re-sign and win a ring.
  
  Mother s/b banned for at least a year.
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  In 2022 Kawhi Leonard played in 26% of games due to “right knee stiffness” before the reported $1.75M delayed payment was made by Aspiration The day after it was deposited, Leonard went on to play 82% of the Clippers total games to close out the season (Via @APH00PS) pic.twitter.com/2ENcnLrPyr— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 11, 2025
  - LakerTom
    6 months ago
    
    BALMER MADE DEAL WITH KAWHI.NOT KNOWING HE WAS THE DEVIL!This could be where circumstantial evidence just becomes too great for the Clippers and Kawhi to skate. I mean, Kawhi basically telling the Clippers to pay me or I won't play. Clippers are fucked, which is usually what… https://t.co/b7kgfNTjuB— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 11, 2025
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  The thought I keep coming back to on the Kawhi scandal:If everything Pablo Torre has reported isn't enough to warrant a substantial punishment, that means cap circumvention is basically unprovable. And if that's the case, I imagine that emboldens other bad actors to circumvent.— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) September 11, 2025
- Jamie Sweet
  6 months ago
  
  Here’s the thing: you have to somehow provide a smoking gun that Ballmer knew his money would go to Kawhi. The fact that the business caved soon thereafter gives him some form of cover, now matter how BS we all think it may be (is), because for all anyone knows he was just investing in something and no knowledge his money might have redirected to one of his players.
  
  Here’s another wrinkle: what if Ballmer isn’t the only owner who invested in this thing? What if it comes out Matt Ishiba, for example, also floated them 20 mil or whatever but none of his players are listed? There’s nothing that I can see in the CBA that precludes owners from investing in anything they want.
  
  This is going to be a messy, slippery slope for everyone. NBA has some work to do here.
  - MongoSlade
    6 months ago
    
    This is the part I get hung up on….if Balmer went through this elaborate scheme to funnel money to Kawhi, then why would he allow the business to fall into bankruptcy and cause all their books to be opened up and expose all their inner workings? Just cut em another check and keep the charade going.
    
    As for Kawhi…dude…you couldn’t spend a coupla days shooting a few commercials and making some print ads for Asspiration to even somewhat legitimize all that money they gave you? That’s just dumb….
    
    Whatever the case, I don’t anticipate the penalties will be anywhere near as harsh as some are calling for. We talk about “The League” but we have to remember who it is: it’s the Owners. And who ultimately pays Adam Silver: the Owners. At the end of the day, they will protect themselves and not set precedents that will harm them if it’s ever their own tit that gets caught in the wringer.
    
    The REAL interesting part will be if the Government, IRS, & Law Enforcement decides to get involved when tax evasion, money laundering, & corruption enter the conversation.
    - Jamie Sweet
      6 months ago
      
      Agreed, sloppy like a bad bank heist.
      
      Silver is already putting a spin on this that we didn’t see in Minny with Joe Smith because, in that case, there was a pretty damning smoking gun from the get-go.
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  "I've spoken to multiple team strategists, for example, who told me, with chests puffed, that if the Clippers aren't docked multiple first-round picks — if Leonard's contract isn't voided while his salary obligations remain on the Clippers' books — they will feel emboldened to…— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) September 11, 2025
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Windy:"These revelations that came out today had substantially less plausible deniability because of the amounts, because of the relationships involved. This one is going to be harder to explain…this probably will widen the scope of the investigation" https://t.co/CiUShvcuuf pic.twitter.com/x9YbxDJEpw— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) September 11, 2025
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Did Luka Dončić’s EuroBasket play shift the Lakers’ roster priorities?

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September 11, 2025

5

The Lakers entered this summer committed to keeping as little cash on their books beyond this season as possible. But sources tell me, that as they exit it, those plans have shifted https://t.co/kwNDNJPFce— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) September 11, 2025

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  From above article:
  
  After he was done venting his frustration with the foul trouble that had kept him out of rhythm on defense and limited some of his aggressiveness on offense, Luka Dončić walked off the court in Riga, Latvia, and into the first moments of anything that actually looks like an offseason.
  
  “Proud,” he posted on a picture of his Slovenian national teammates — a group few around EuroBasket believed could advance to the final eight, where they pushed undefeated Germany to the brink before losing 99-91 on Wednesday.
  
  Now, at least for a second, Dončić can exhale.
  
  Dončić almost immediately began working on changing his body and committing to a strict diet and fitness routine shortly after his first stretch with the Los Angeles Lakers ended with a first-round playoff loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He returned to the U.S. to show off the progress and to sign a three-year extension worth an estimated $165 million with the Lakers.
  
  After a week full of interviews, appearances and commercial shoots, it was obvious Dončić can’t wait to get back on the court.
  
  Now, after a dominant run leading Slovenia at EuroBasket, Dončić can turn his attention to the Lakers. And, after the way Dončić looked for his national team, the Lakers can turn even more attention toward him.
  
  According to team and league sources, the Lakers’ stance on roster improvements heading into this season has shifted because of the start of this new chapter together.
  
  While the Lakers had resisted scenarios in which the team would take on contracts that lasted beyond the 2025-26 season earlier this summer, Dončić’s multi-year commitment has nudged LA’s priorities in more aggressive directions.
  
  One area the team is focused on is upgrading the wing, where it needs more two-way talent. A player like Miami’s Andrew Wiggins, whom the Lakers weren’t interested in earlier this summer, is now a more desirable player, provided the price is right.
  
  Wiggins, who turns 31 in February, is due $28.2 million this year and has a player option for $30.1 million for 2026-27. Marc Stein linked the Lakers and Wiggins in his newsletter earlier this week.
  
  The Lakers still value their lone tradeable first-round pick, either in 2031 or 2032, as a piece earmarked for a much bigger move in the future. However, they have a mixture of expiring contracts and a former first-round pick in Dalton Knecht that could be packaged together if another team were looking to shed salary.
  
  It’s unclear whether that kind of package could net Wiggins, who proved he could be a valuable piece on a championship team in 2022 with the Golden State Warriors. It’s also unclear whether the Lakers believe Wiggins would be a significant upgrade over Rui Hachimura or whether the ideal situation would be to have him on the perimeter in addition to Hachimura.
  
  The Lakers may also want to see how the roster looks with new additions Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart before cashing in some of their limited trade assets.
  
  But Dončić’s EuroBasket run, in which he fully got to test his slimmed-down physique against defensive game plans built to stop him, reaffirmed his place in the very top tier of basketball players in the world.
  
  Minus some magic from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dončić will finish as the tournament’s scoring leader. The “how” is probably more important than the accomplishment itself; Dončić played noticeably faster when attacking double teams and getting into the paint, where he used his size as a massive advantage.
  
  That area of his game never really got going in Los Angeles. Dončić shot a career-worst 49.3 percent on 2-point attempts as he worked back from injury while trying to shake off the shock from the trade that sent him to the Lakers.
  
  In Europe this summer, Dončić averaged 34.7 points while hitting more than 62 percent of his 2-point shots (and while shooting just 32.1 percent from 3). The quickness getting into the paint also flashed on the defensive end, where he had at least two steals in each of Slovenia’s first six games of the tournament before being held without one against the Germans.
  
  The combination of Dončić’s contract, his improved physical condition and the EuroBasket run delivered a not-too-subtle reminder that planning for the future might get in the way of an opportunity in front of the Lakers now.
  
  It’s still not a given that the Lakers will abandon the caution they’ve used as they built this version of the roster around short-term and expiring deals. However, what they have seen from Dončić over the last month has the organization reassessing things.
  - Jamie Sweet
    6 months ago
    
    Here’s the important, logical and sane part:
    
    “The Lakers still value their lone tradeable first-round pick, either in 2031 or 2032, as a piece earmarked for a much bigger move in the future. However, they have a mixture of expiring contracts and a former first-round pick in Dalton Knecht that could be packaged together if another team were looking to shed salary.
    
    It’s unclear whether that kind of package could net Wiggins, who proved he could be a valuable piece on a championship team in 2022 with the Golden State Warriors. It’s also unclear whether the Lakers believe Wiggins would be a significant upgrade over Rui Hachimura or whether the ideal situation would be to have him on the perimeter in addition to Hachimura.
    
    The Lakers may also want to see how the roster looks with new additions Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart before cashing in some of their limited trade assets.”
    - Jamie Sweet
      6 months ago
      
      “The Miami Heat have set a high asking price for Andrew Wiggins, a stance that has cooled early trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports.
      
      Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints reported on Monday that Miami’s demands included forward Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, its former guard Gabe Vincent and a future first-round pick in exchange for Wiggins. Talks fell apart after the Lakers refused to part with both Hachimura and their lone movable first-rounder.
      
      “One story and the one that I heard more directly, was that the Miami Heat were asking for Rui Hachimura,” Irwin said on his podcast, The Lakers Lounge. “They were asking for a first-round pick. They were asking for Gabe Vincent, whom they like, and potentially also Dalton Knecht. The Lakers, I think, would be fine moving on from Dalton for Wiggins. They would obviously also be fine moving on from Gabe Vincent for Andrew Wiggins.”
      
      “And I also think they would probably be mostly fine moving off of Rui Hachimura for Andrew Wiggins, but they definitely did not want to include Rui and the one first-round pick that they can move this season. And so that was where again I heard directly that those talks kind of broke down.”
      
      -From Heavy
      
      Lakers should definitely not pay that price for Wiggins. 1st rounder, Rui and Knecht?? Too pricey for Wiggy who is a worse shooter than Rui.
      
      Furthermore, your trade is sending three players to Miami when they already have 15 plus 2 Two Ways. They’d have to waive 2 guys to get the deal done and still pay them. Ain’t happening dude.
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Excellent piece by Dan. Lakers rightly need to resolve the starting small forward position before the start of the season. Make the move now even if it costs more because it’s hard to make major changes in the middle of the season when you can’t even practice.
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Now that Luka Dončić is locked into an extension, the Lakers are expected to be aggressive on the trade market, with Andrew Wiggins emerging as a target, per @DanWoikeSports “While the Lakers had resisted scenarios in which the team would take on contracts that lasted beyond… pic.twitter.com/MFy0kUFzUS— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 11, 2025
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Could Luka Doncic Winning MVP Catapult Lakers To Championship?

Articles, Posts

September 10, 2025

10

Luka Doncic used the shock of being traded to the Lakers and criticism of his defense and conditioning to motivate him to make the coming season the best of his career and win his first MVP award and championship ring.

There’s no shortage of wild cards when it comes this Lakers team winning an NBA championship but nothing in the purple and gold universe matters more than hearing how a driven Luka Doncic was dominating EuroBasket. While Germany finally ended Slovenia’s EuroBasket run, Luka Doncic was clearly the best player in the tournament both offensively and defensively. He led the EuroBasket tournament with 34 points and 3.2 steals per game.

While the Lakers hope LeBron can still beat up Father Time, Reaves can raise his ceiling to All-Star, and Ayton can actually learn to play winning basketball, they know their championship hopes rest on Luka’s shoulders.
Seeing the slimmed down version of Luka was promising but watching how better conditioning has transformed his game offensively and defensively is simply astonishing. This is a smoother more polished version of Luka.

In EuroBasket, Luka seemed to be totally in charge and under control, splitting double teams and getting into the paint with ease and making midrange jumpers and floaters or drawing fouls and making free throws.
A career 75% free throw shooter who averages 8 free throw attempts per game, this version of Luka is getting to the line 13.3 times per EuroBasket game and making 12.3 free throws per game for an 89% free throw rate.

Luka’s world-best EuroBasket play immediately raises quixotic visions of him winning the regular season MVP and then crowning even that success with an elite dominant postseason that leads the Lakers to a championship.

HOW OFTEN HAS A PLAYER WON MVP & CHAMPIONSHIP?

Plus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2025–26

…

The NBA is the top superstar driven pro sports league. In 70 seasons since the league began honoring the Most Valuable Player, a player has won both the regular season MVP and Championship 25 times or 35% of the time.

The most recent example was last season when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, won both the 2025 Most Valuable Player and 2025 NBA Championship.
Ironically, SGA was first since Curry in 2015 to win both MVP and ring.
Winning the MVP and a championship ring in the same year is special because a player was able to lead his team to dominate the regular season and elevate their game to a higher championship level in the postseason.

Historically, there’s around a 35% chance that the team with the regular season MVP will be the team that ultimately wins the NBA championship, although the percentage over the last 10 seasons has been much lower.
The 15 NBA players who won both regular season MVP and championship in the same year include Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, LeBron James, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who have accomplished it multiple times.

The 5 early favorites to win the 2025–26 MVP award in order are the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lakers’ Luka Doncic, Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards.
The 5 early favorite teams to win the 2026 NBA Championship in order are the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets. The Los Angeles Lakers were #6.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic appear to be three most likely superstars who have a realistic chance to win both the regular season Most Valuable Player award and a championship ring this season.

WHY LUKA WINNING MVP RAISES LAKERS’ TITLE ODDS!

It’s like Luka Is Everywhere!

…

Luka Doncic defeating Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo for the NBA MVP award might be the single thing that could dramatically raise the Lakers’ odds of winning the championship.

While winning MVP is not a guarantee the same team is going to win the NBA Championship like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder did last season, the award always goes to a legitimate championship contender.
Considering the parity dominating the league right now, one could argue that the winner of the 2026 NBA Championship will likely be the team whose face-of-the-franchise superstar generated the best MVP season.

Luka Doncic has taken the shock of being traded and thrown under the bus by Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks as a harsh wakeup call that he’s answered by getting into elite physical shape and playing better than ever.
Now 26-years old and a 7-year veteran who’s never won an MVP or played in the NBA Finals, Luka Doncic is committed to elevating his game to new heights and becoming the best possible version of himself right now.

It’s as if Luka has suddenly realized he wasted the first 7 years of his NBA career in Dallas. Now that he’s in L.A. he’s not going to repeat that mistake. When it comes to winning right now, Luka’s right there with LeBron.
With Luka playing like EuroBasket’s MVP and best defender, new reports say the Lakers are now willing to make an offseason trade for a wing like Andrew Wiggins before the start of the season instead of at the deadline.

Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick have been watching how Luka Doncic has been choreographing and masterminding the heroic Slovenian EuroBasket run. Next step: Regular season MVP. Then: Lakers 18th NBA Championship.

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Could Luka Doncic Winning MVP Catapult Lakers To Championship? Luka Doncic used the shock of being traded to the Lakers and criticism of his defense and conditioning to motivate him to make the coming season the best of his career and win his first MVP award and championship… pic.twitter.com/iZn1bytJVI— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 11, 2025
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Could Luka Doncic Winning MVP Catapult Lakers To Championship? HOW OFTEN HAS A PLAYER WON MVP & CHAMPIONSHIP?The NBA is the top superstar driven pro sports league. In 70 seasons since the league began honoring the Most Valuable Player, a player has won both the regular… pic.twitter.com/JGgsGxVfkO— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 11, 2025
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Could Luka Doncic Winning MVP Catapult Lakers To Championship? WHY LUKA WINNING MVP RAISES LAKERS’ TITLE ODDS!Luka Doncic defeating Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo for the NBA MVP award might be the single thing that could dramatically raise… pic.twitter.com/OGtYk2jVu8— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 11, 2025
- Jamie Sweet
  6 months ago
  
  You take the time to write a sensible article, I’m reading-I’m into it, aaaaaaand you just can’t help yourself. Here’s another “not happening” trade proposal to end it lol.
  - Jamie Sweet
    6 months ago
    
    A lot depends on the W/L record which depends on decent health which relies on conditioning and some luck. While I’d love for Luka to win MVP, take the scoring title and win DPOy (the NBa version of the triple crown) all of that pales to another banner on the wall.
    - Jamie Sweet
      6 months ago
      
      SGA has a target on him for the first time in his career, same with his team. It’s not easy going from hunter to hunted. So that’s a plot point to keep track of. Jokic has a mostly new team, hard to have MVP chemistry while also winning his 2nd title.
      
      Jamie Sweet
      6 months ago
      
      Giannis and Ant Man have a decent path to MVP, Giannis just needs to stay on the floor and the Timberwolves can’t plateau or take a step back in the west
  - LakerTom
    6 months ago
    
    LMAO. There’s a lot of legitimate talk right now about the Lakers looking to trade for Wiggins before the start of the season because of their optimism with Luka signed and playing like an MVP. Both Stein and Woike have confirmed the rumors.
    
    I don’t think the Lakers are willing to give up their only tradable first round pick but they can offer a second and a swap of their 2028 pick without affecting having 3 tradable picks on draft day next summer.
    
    What I think is the Lakers have done a good job posturing that they will not give up their draft pick. This could easily end with the Heat refusing to make a trade at this time but there’s also solid reasons why Miami it’s better for them to move on from Wiggins in the offseason rather than midseason. Same with Lakers.
    
    Remember last season when the Knicks and Timberwolves made a late summer mega trade that was a huge win-win for both teams. I doubt either team would have fared as well if that trade had been done midseason.
    
    I read it 50/50 that Wiggins will start the season as a Laker.
- MongoSlade
  6 months ago
  
  I can’t see anybody winning MVP while LeBron is still on the team. His presence is just too dominating.
  - Jamie Sweet
    6 months ago
    
    It’s an uphill climb, to be sure.
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Luka almost carried Slovenia to upset against Germany in EuroBasket

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September 10, 2025

4

Luka almost carried Slovenia to a nearly IMPOSSIBLE upset against Germany in the EuroBasket quarterfinals 🤯He was easily the best player in the tournament 💯 pic.twitter.com/LjC05ifRKt— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) September 10, 2025

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Tough refereeing against Slovenia. Would have like them to move on but glad to see Luka play great and not get injured. Silver lining. We saw Luka Magic. Now we get Luka MVP.
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Luka Doncic finishes EuroBasket averaging 34.7 PPG on 65% TS%It’s the most points per game in a single EuroBasket run in 35+ years pic.twitter.com/shwDy1ZgTi— NBA University (@NBA_University) September 10, 2025
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Luka Doncic had a summer to remember in the 2025 #EuroBasket 👏34 – 4 – 9 vs POL39 – 8 – 9 vs FRA26 – 10 – 11 vs BEL26 – 7 – 4 vs ISL37 – 11 – 9 vs ISR42 – 10 – 1 vs ITA39 – 10 – 7 vs GER@courtside1891 @EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/FxZczVXYrw— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 10, 2025
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

FIRST ROUND PICK FOR ANDREW WIGGINS NOW!

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September 10, 2025

1

FIRST ROUND PICK FOR ANDREW WIGGINS NOW!While the Lakers cannot trade their 2027 first round pick, I would support giving up our one tradable first round pick for Andrew Wiggins if done before the season. I would pay the price now because it can bring back a bigger return: a… https://t.co/8pQvMJBUyy pic.twitter.com/TTsBIuE6zi— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 10, 2025

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LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Slovenia up by 5 on Germany at halftime

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September 10, 2025

1

Slovenia saved their best half for the best opponent. Up 51:46 at the half. Dončić at 22 points, Franz Wagner at 15.— Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) September 10, 2025

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  LUKA AT HALFTIME VS GERMANY 🔥🔥🔥🪄 ً22 POINTS🪄 4 REBOUNDS🪄 3 ASSISTS pic.twitter.com/09AvxUKowH— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) September 10, 2025
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

LUKA ADDING DEFENSE TO HIS BAG!

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September 10, 2025

0

LUKA ADDING DEFENSE TO HIS BAG!That the slimmer, trimmer superstar Luka Doncic is adding defense to his bag only reinforces the idea that the young Slovenian is committed to winning his first NBA MVP award and NBA championship ring.There's no question that Nico Harrison… https://t.co/aCUMoBmJ71 pic.twitter.com/CM66qYblIA— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 10, 2025

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LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Luka Doncic currently leading vote getter for “Defensive Player of Year” in EuroBasket 2025

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September 10, 2025

1

Luka Doncic is currently the leading vote getter for “Defensive Player of the Year” in Eurobasket 2025 💪🏼💪🏼Maturing is realizing that he’s actually a really good defender. This is what happens when American media isn’t there poisoning the votes. pic.twitter.com/f2xSBUIN9C— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) September 10, 2025

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Italian magazine calls Luka Doncic “the most complete player that exists in basketball” 🔥🔥Wow, great respect.(Full article from https://t.co/kuZz2N1Cd0 in comments) pic.twitter.com/if1enHBRxs— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) September 10, 2025
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

LOCKDOWN LUKA 🔒

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September 9, 2025

2

Luka has been nominated for the best defender award at EuroBasket 2025 👀LOCKDOWN LUKA 🔒(via @LegionHoops) pic.twitter.com/vMAJeHzdNg— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) September 9, 2025

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- Jamie Sweet
  6 months ago
  
  Hope he goes for the Triple Crown: Scoring title, MVP, DPOY!
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Lakers Need To Make Moves So They Can Sign Love

Posts

September 8, 2025

3

The Utah Jazz are expected to buy out Kevin Love within the next two weeks, per @AmicoHoops pic.twitter.com/8Q9yHqm71o— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 8, 2025

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- Michael H
  6 months ago
  
  Why?
  - Jamie Sweet
    6 months ago
Jamie Sweet wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Man...

Posts

September 8, 2025

0

Condolences to the Reid family. Naz’s sister was murdered by her boyfriend who has been arrested. Heavy.

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Jamie Sweet wrote a new post

• 6 months ago
5 Things: Will Jake LaRavia Be the Steal of the Summer?

5 THINGS, Posts

September 8, 2025

5

The Lakers have been walking a tightrope for so long when it comes to developing talent and retaining/acquiring top-tier talent they could give as Ted Talk on it. Some seasons have seen us go too far towards the vet side (the AARP Lakers squad of 2021-22) and of course, post Kobe, we were too young (the Baby Lakers who eventually moved on or became AD who became Luka). So you’ll have to forgive me if I wasn’t floored when it was announced we signed Jake LaRavia. I didn’t know the guy, not sure I’ve seen him play more than a handful of times, and wouldn’t have put him on a list. So let’s get into why this signing might be the steal of the summer.

Jake’s strengths as a player. I compare Jake to a more athletic version of Luka Walton. The do-everything glue man that played a pivotal role in 2 banners hung on the wall at Crypto. Jake, like Luke, does a littler bit of everything but none of it at an elite level. He’s a below league average shooter at 42.9% (league average last season was 46%) and a slightly above-average three point shooter (37.1% and the league average was 36%). His career averages in points (6.9), rebounds (3.3) and assists (1.7) certainly don’t scream “future All Star!!!” but they do show us a player who fits into the cracks and can help smooth out the rough edges in a bench role. All of that should be considered against the backdrop of his minutes per game (18.9 for his career) and how that number has tracked up every season to a career high 20.9 in Memphis prior to being traded to the floundering Sacramento Kings last season where he got hurt after 19 games and missed the remainder of the season. It can be said that there aren’t many weaknesses to Jake’s game. He competes on D, is capable scoring the rock, and seems to fit in well with a largely undefined role.

Jake’s only weakness seems to be a lack of overall aggression and excellence at any one thing. This makes his role on the Lakers more of a riddle because, with Luka, LeBron and Reaves, you need to be a plus defender and a solid three point shooter. Jake trends towards the bottom half of league average in terms of his overall defensive rating but he averages 1.4 steals/game for his career. That’s something to build off of and work around, especially in a bench role because it’s pretty certain he’ll be sharing time with Smart, Vando and a starter or two. The Lakers bench likely won’t win many scoring accolades but if they can be a lockdown, gritty defensive unit that could go a long way to finding some success this season. Jake can contribute to that kind of identity well, I believe.

A building block for the future? The first thing that jumped out at me when we signed Jake was that we were able to land a 23 year old with upside for a measly $6 million/year for 2 years. While he hasn’t started many games and missed the end of last season with an injury, you can see the ingredients in Jake’s game to be a solid 3rd or 4th option as a starter or a key contributor off the bench. What’s great about this signing, in my opinion, is the low risk/high reward factor. 23 years old, has a valued skill set, solid size on a very team-friendly deal. No options means we’re getting a solid player on a bargain deal who could very easily become a solid rotation player in the coming season, if not beyond. With the 2 year deal we get a great window where we can ascertain how he fits in alongside the future core of Luka and Austin.

Role on the Lakers this season. With guys like Austin, Rui, and LeBron James being eligible to become unrestricted free agents next season, it’s not hard to see a starting small forward spot opening up after this upcoming season. Cracking the starting five would take something of a miracle, at least for the 2025-26 season, however. After that? It’s anyone’s guess. Clearly the first thing you need to do as a Laker is fit in alongside Luka and, to a much lesser degree, Reaves. With his career shooting percentage 42.9% (not great) and his 3 point shooting percentage being 37.1% (decent, approaching solid) Jake has some work to do inside the arc to be a no-brainer fit in the starting five. I expect Jake to be the 2nd or third player off the bench, depending on whether Smart is available to play and how Vando’s role is shaped in camp. If Jarred Vanderbilt has gotten his hops back after two foot surgeries and two summers of rehabbing injuries, that bodes well for him. If he can hit the corner three at a 35-38% clip and provide his excellent hustle and defense and timely offensive rebounding Jake’s role gets even murkier. If Vando looks like he did last season there is a door open for Jake to walk through into a larger role on a world famous franchise.

All in all, it feels like the Lakers scored another bargain in terms of a young player with some decent upside left who could fill a position in the event that we make a late season trade or see a player or two sign elsewhere for more money in the summer of 2026. Reaves is all but guaranteed to return after the upcoming season because the return on the dollar for his skillset is in the garbage this year. It’s not good business to trade a $30+ million dollar talent when he’s on a $13.9 million dollar deal. You’re getting less than 50% of his estimated value back in a trade, that’s a really crappy return on the investment. Rui Hachimura, on the other hand, could see his role on the Lakers priced above his value and have to look elsewhere next summer. Time will tell. I’m always hard on the GM, they don’t take enough flak for building bad rosters and getting their coaches fired as a result. But for the money and draft capital available to us, Rob did a solid job securing solid talent for very team-friendly price points.

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4 Comments
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  Excellent post, Jamie. Good to see you catching a positive vibe for a change. I also have high hopes for Jake. He’s exactly the kind of young player with star potential that I agree we should be gathering. I like the Luke Walton comparison. It’s good to have a prospect for the three who has the size and athleticism to compete. Tired of watching us play 6′ 5″ defenders against 6′ 8″ scorers. I love playing small ball but only when we do it with dominant positional size.
  - Jamie Sweet
    6 months ago
    
    Thanks LT!
    
    In all honesty “star potential” is quite a reach. I have hope he’ll be a decent bench contributor. I don’t think he has either the raw talent or learned skills to be a star player.
    - Jamie Sweet
      6 months ago
      
      “And so there went the positive vibe…swept away on a gust of wind that happened by…”
      
      lol. I kid. I’m super positive!
      
      Michael H
      6 months ago
      
      Nice article Jaime. I agree I think it was a good signing. Getting a 23 year old player with some upside was a good move. I liked his rebounding numbers. Very good for the minutes played. One thing you failed to mention that I think is important is he Is a combo forward. He also gets minutes at the 4 as well. I don’t look at Vando as a PF. He thin and his real skill is perimeter defense. That leave just LeBron and Rui as the only guys that can really play the 4. Jake’s versatility will come in handy.
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Lakers still interested in two-way wing Andrew Wiggin

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September 8, 2025

8

I think Austin, Luka, Wiggins, LeBron, Ayton is a group that has championship potential. Wiggins addresses the two biggest weaknesses on the roster, overall athleticism and a natural fit in the starting lineup that specializes in guarding opposing stars. https://t.co/TApWgdM3Yf

— Jason Timpf (@_JasonLT) September 8, 2025

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  BREAKING: With the Heat expected to reduce payroll, the Lakers will be interested in a two-way wing like Andrew Wiggins.(via @TheSteinLine) pic.twitter.com/luI553E5Hm— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) September 8, 2025
  - Jamie Sweet
    6 months ago
    
    lol…why are the Heat “expected to reduce payroll”? They’re dropping over $55 mil in salary when the season finishes and are under the 1st apron as I type this. Took me 47 seconds to double-check what I thought (and was correct about…)
    
    This BS drivel is so pointless…c’mon training camp!
    - LakerTom
      6 months ago
      
      Report: Lakers more open to taking back long-term contracts in trade, looking for two-way wing https://t.co/zfig2ZimLC— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 9, 2025
      
      LakerTom
      6 months ago
      
      Lakers now willing to take back more than 2 years salary for defensive wing.
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  ANDREW WIGGINS SAVES AUSTIN REAVES!The irony of the situation is the Lakers need Andrew Wiggins because he dramatically upgrades the starting lineup defense and enable Austin Reaves to be effective and successful as a starter.The problem is trading for Wiggins without giving… https://t.co/1SjvEtTOEz— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 8, 2025
- Jamie Sweet
  6 months ago
  
  This old thing again?
  - Jamie Sweet
    6 months ago
    - Michael H
      6 months ago
      
      I read the Stein article that all this other articles are based on. There is nothing there. Most of the article is about the Lakers not being interested. Click bait writers need to write.
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

Luka to ref after missed free throw: "Ball Don't Lie!"

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September 8, 2025

1

Luka gotta be the only player at Eurobasket who is constantly telling the refs “ball don’t lie” after free throw misses 😂— Panda Hank (@pandahank41) September 7, 2025

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- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  I have to admit it’s also one of my favorite comments after missed opponent free throws too.
LakerTom wrote a new post

• 6 months ago

KAWHI LEONARD ON THE LAKERS?

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September 8, 2025

3

KAWHI LEONARD ON THE LAKERS?I've usually been able to support and root for enemy players joining the Lakers because I value winning so much but I don't know if I could ever support or root for Kawhi Leonard to wear the purple and gold.What's crazy about the league voiding his… https://t.co/oON06FRT2G pic.twitter.com/ue7IFFicjW— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 8, 2025

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2 Comments
- LakerTom
  6 months ago
  
  What if the NBA voids Kawhi Leonard’s contract…It sounds unthinkable.However, according to The Athletic, the league has hired an outside law firm to investigate allegations that the L.A. Clippers and Leonard used a fraudulent tree-planting company to secretly funnel $28… pic.twitter.com/UzzkXtKERr— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 8, 2025
- Jamie Sweet
  6 months ago
  
  Hard for me to see this as being likely to happen. In general, the players aren’t punished for the transgressions of management. In the case of Joe Smith, I believe he had just inked a new deal. Kawhi is in the middle of his.
  
  Furthermore, if the contact is voided, his Bird Rights go with it. If I’m Kawhi and you’re looking at playing somewhere for the vet minimum…which means he’ll sit out the season to work on his leg health which has been the issue that has defined his career to date which is another reason teams won’t take a flyer on him…I consider retiring. He’s made $328 mil in hoops money alone plus the side hustle cash. He’s a two time NBA champ and a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. He’s 34, there are fewer healthy years ahead of him.
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