Great news! But I am worried about the rust Marcus Smart is going deal with. At this point, any help would be welcome.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

After an emotional, rocky week, the Lakers steadied the ship, beating the undermanned Golden State Warriors 119–103. It was a much-needed win that prevented their first four-game losing streak of the season. And with just two games left, it ensures this team will go the entire year without such a skid for the first time since 2011–12, another sign of their resilience.

Postgame, JJ Redick pointed to this as the game where the group found its spirit and path again. He admitted that he and the staff overlooked the emotional toll of that dreadful night in Oklahoma City, when the team lost both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves to injuries. Redick also took accountability, saying that trying to inject emotion and fire up the group in the rematch against OKC was not the right call.

Still, as much as this win was needed to prevent the team from spiraling further, listening to both Redick and LeBron James postgame made one thing clear: accepting the current situation will take time. That chemistry, the winning formula they had been searching for all year and finally found in March, was taken away so abruptly… and whether they want it or not, it lingers in the back of their minds.

The Lakers won’t have much time for second thoughts. They face the Phoenix Suns tonight on the second night of a back-to-back, in a crucial game to hold on to the fourth spot and home-court advantage against a likely first-round opponent in the Rockets.

Today’s notes:

A turnover fest in a game without star creators

LeBron dominates in big vs small matchup (VIDEO)

Team responds to JJ (VIDEO)

The stabilizing presence of Luke Kennard (VIDEO)

Searching for nine: the missing two

1-A turnover fest in a game without star creators

It was a much-needed win for the Lakers, but it wasn’t pretty. Both teams, missing their top two scoring options, had to find new ways to generate offense with unusual lineups, leading to plenty of mistakes.

Turnovers came in waves on both ends. The Lakers struggled to start the second and close the third, while the Warriors had issues at the start of the third and fourth, adding up to a sloppy, high-turnover game for both sides. For the Lakers, four players had three or more turnovers, a downside of increased ball movement and less centralized handling with Dončić and Reaves out.

Source: Cleaning the Glass

However, the Lakers overcame their sloppiness with elite shotmaking, while the Warriors couldn’t. The Lakers shot 55% from three, with several players having big nights from deep: LeBron James went 3-of-5, LaRavia 4-of-5, Hachimura 2-of-4, Bronny James 2-of-4, and Nick Smith Jr. caught fire late, hitting 4 of his 5 threes in the fourth quarter.

2-LeBron dominates in big vs small matchup (VIDEO)

Both teams were undermanned, but in different ways. The Lakers were without their three best guards, while the Warriors missed Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and all of their centers, turning it into a big vs small matchup. Kerr leaned into small, guard-heavy lineups, while Redick countered with bigger units, often featuring two bigs next to LeBron.

The Lakers struggled to adjust to the Warriors’ speed early, getting killed on the offensive glass despite their size advantage. But Golden State couldn’t capitalize, going just 9-of-30 from three, and the Lakers eventually cleaned it up and took over.

LeBron James was a matchup problem for the much smaller Warriors all night, whether it was scoring on the block, overpowering everyone in transition, or finding teammates off the mismatches he created in the post. LeBron finished with 26 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block, clearly the best player on the floor on a night when all other stars were missing.

3-Team responds to JJ

I mentioned that Redick reflected on his overly emotional response after the last loss. There was a lot of discourse on whether that was the right approach, as calling out players publicly is always a sensitive topic. My take is simple: I’d rather see a coach who cares too much, who is overly obsessed with details, than the other way around. And as long as the team resolves it collectively, conflict can even be beneficial.

Deandre Ayton, one of the players in question after the last loss, responded with a strong bounce-back game, scoring 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Like LeBron, Ayton took full advantage of the Warriors’ lack of size and scrambling defense, with five of his nine makes coming inside against much smaller guards.

Lakers Nation
@LakersNation
JJ Redick on Deandre Ayton’s night:

“He played fantastic. The third quarter he was just dominant. A lot of that was very targeted because we were playing through the post and Draymond was going to overhelp and DA had his proper spacing. That touch shot for him at 8-10 feet, it’s
9:46 PM · Apr 9, 2026 · 7.95K Views
1 Reply · 8 Reposts · 140 Likes

Ayton has shown on several occasions this season that he can dominate smaller, less physical teams. Unfortunately, the Lakers won’t face many of those in the playoffs.

The other two players Redick called out, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, both played extended minutes. Hachimura’s shotmaking was key as the Lakers were still trying to find their rhythm in the second quarter.

Vanderbilt played 26 minutes and helped stabilize things on the glass, but again showed why Redick has a hard time fully trusting him, with shaky decision-making leading to four turnovers.

4-The stabilizing presence of Luke Kennard (VIDEO)

Going back to decision-making. It’s the key to earning Redick’s trust. It’s why he has struggled at times with players like Ayton, Vanderbilt, and LaRavia this season, and Jaxson Hayes last year. On the other hand, it’s the same reason Luke Kennard is so entrenched and has carved out such an important role in the Lakers’ rotation.

Kennard delivered another rock-solid game as a secondary playmaker, with 14 points, 8 assists, and only one turnover.

Iztok Franko
@iztok_franko

Luke Kennard last 3 games for the Lakers: 13 points per game, along with 28 assists and only 4 turnovers

A stabilizing on ball presence, filling the ball-handling gap with Luka, Reaves and Smart OUT.

2:22 AM · Apr 10, 2026
Kennard arrived with a reputation as a knockdown shooter, but it’s his connective playmaking and decision-making on the ball that has stood out the most.

Source: Lakers Nation post on X

I think his lack of athleticism, which hurts the Lakers on defense and on the boards, makes his long-term fit more complicated than his successful short stint would suggest. But given the current situation and lack of other reliable decision-makers, you can’t blame Redick for leaning into Kennard so heavily.

5-Searching for nine: the missing two

After the previous game, Redick said he’ll use the final three games of the season to find nine guys who are all-in on fighting, no matter how shorthanded the Lakers are heading into the playoffs.

Based on what we’ve seen so far, we can suspect the count is currently at seven.

LeBron and Marcus Smart (the Lakers are hopeful he makes his return tonight against the Suns after missing nine straight games) are the two no-brainers. Kennard is very close to a lock as well. Hachimura is close too, either as a fill-in starter or a key scorer off the bench. Ayton is one, because the Lakers don’t have much choice but to hope he has more hits than misses. Hayes is a solid alternative if that happens, but the memory of last year’s playoffs, when he fell out of the rotation after the first real tests, will keep him a question mark until he proves otherwise. Jake LaRavia, who had a strong shooting night and another high-hustle game, is another player whose confidence will be tested in a higher-stakes postseason setting.

Any player beyond those seven is even more shaky, and hard to justify playing real minutes on a serious playoff team. Any team would be in trouble without its top two scorers, but especially the Lakers, who don’t have the same depth as some of the league’s best teams. And that’s another reason why the injuries suck. These playoffs were a chance to see which players could fit into the new long-term vision. Now, player evaluation becomes more difficult, as every player will be pushed up two spots in the hierarchy. But it’s also a chance for an unexpected hero to step up and surprise us, to shake off some of the conclusions we’ve built over the past 80 games.

Can LeBron James Carry Los Angeles Lakers Alone? 5 Factors That Will Decide Their Playoff Fate https://t.co/LrqP1Bfiog— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 10, 2026

LeBron James full highlights vs. Golden State Warriors last night (119-103 W):26 Points on 11/17 FG (64.7%), 3/5 from 3, 1/2 FT, 8 Rebounds, 11 Assists (4 TOV), 2 Steals, 1 Block, 1 PF, and a +/- of +19 in 31:48 minutes played.Also assist to Bronny and from BronnyHe… pic.twitter.com/2Jq7TUeXpI— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 10, 2026

VITÓRIA DO LOS ANGELES LAKERS 119-103 CONTRA O WARRIORS.LeBron James liderou a partida em PTS e AST:26 PONTOS 8 REBOTES 11 ASSISTÊNCIAS 2 ROUBOS, 1 TOCO11/17 NOS ARREMESSOS 3/5 NAS BOLAS DE 3LAKERS VOLTA A VENCER 51-29 NA TEMPORADA, NOVAMENTE EM 4° NO OESTE pic.twitter.com/qf33mfTWcR— Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) April 10, 2026

VITÓRIA DO LOS ANGELES LAKERS 119-103 CONTRA O WARRIORS.LeBron James liderou a partida em PTS e AST:26 PONTOS 8 REBOTES 11 ASSISTÊNCIAS 2 ROUBOS, 1 TOCO11/17 NOS ARREMESSOS 3/5 NAS BOLAS DE 3LAKERS VOLTA A VENCER 51-29 NA TEMPORADA, NOVAMENTE EM 4° NO OESTE pic.twitter.com/qf33mfTWcR— Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) April 10, 2026

LeBron James triple-double’a göz kırptı, Lakers’ı galibiyete taşıdı 💪👑 26 sayı👑 8 ribaund👑 11 asist👑 2 top çalma👑 11/17 saha içi isabetiLos Angeles Lakers, deplasmanda Golden State Warriors'ı 119-103 mağlup etti. pic.twitter.com/mykW875wAO— NBA Türkiye (@NBATurkiye) April 10, 2026

With Steph Curry resting — and Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Gui Santos, Will Richard and Quinten Post out — and his longtime rival LeBron James back at Chase Center for perhaps the final time Thursday, the Warriors fell 119-103 to the Lakers. https://t.co/pPXs3mmhMg— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) April 10, 2026

Luke Kennard vs Warriors:14 PTS 8 AST 4 STL 2 REB 61.1 TS% pic.twitter.com/OWsRYefm9Q— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) April 10, 2026

Jake Laravia vs Warriors: 16 PTS 7 REB 4 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 6/7 FG 4/5 3PT pic.twitter.com/h62GwC7mEH— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) April 10, 2026

Deandre Ayton vs Warriors:21PTS-5REB-1AST-1BLK-9/11-3/4FT pic.twitter.com/jWbhAwvyCL— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) April 10, 2026

Jake led the team with a +29. 3 steals and leads the team in deflections. Asked JJ about his performance against GS: "I think he along with Smart has been our most consistent defender for the last 3-4 months….He's the most consistent crasher we have at the wing position. He's… pic.twitter.com/ywhdJtcRbD— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) April 10, 2026

DA went 9-11 last night. He's having his most efficient FG% of his career. Asked him what led to it:"Running the floor, rolling hard, setting good screens and punishing mismatches. Just trying my best to stay around the rim 8 to 10 feet where it’s comfortable for me at. That’s… pic.twitter.com/7TbP7Q5L77— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) April 10, 2026

I like Rob Williams, Mitchel Robinson, Keon Ellis, Jordan Goodwin, and Collin Gillespie.

Lakers need to find 4 guys who can complement LeBron and win the first round series against the Rockets in next 3 games. They also need to remain tied with Houston so they have home court.

We’re tied with Rockets at 50-29 but have tiebreaker. Houston faces 76ers, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies. Lakers face Warriors, Suns, and Jazz.

Time to find first round rotation and win out regular season.

Other than Kobe, not sure who we have developed at All Star since? Reaves? Traded most of those young one’s away.

PS-Has Luka ever played a full season in his career? Not thinking so, seems to miss 10-15 games per year.

Next 3 games will be important because we have to get a fivesome that can beat the Rockets in the first round. I think time has come to get Ayton to understand there is nothing here for him in the future.

Here’s what I would hope would be the starters:

PG: Marcus Smart, Bronny James
SG: Luke Kennard, Dalton Knecht
SF: Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero
PF: LeBron James, Rui Hachimura
CE: Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber

He has shown he can play up role or down role. What an addition as a teacher as well.

Honestly I hope he retires, don’t think he will but that’s my hope.

LeBron will return to Lakers next season along with Bronny.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Disappointing news hit the Los Angeles Lakers when Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves went down at the same time in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dončić (hamstring) is now overseas trying to fast-track his recovery in a long-shot push to be ready for the playoffs, while Reaves (oblique) is expected to miss another 3-5 weeks, casting serious doubt on a deep Lakers postseason run.

With Dončić already extended in August and Reaves headed toward free agency on July 1, the question now is whether he stays in L.A. or explores a bigger opportunity elsewhere.

Here are five things we’re hearing about his upcoming offseason.

Reaves Can Extend Today, and Here’s Why He Won’t

Reaves has been open about his preference to spend his career with the Lakers in Los Angeles. So, why hasn’t he already extended?

The 27-year-old guard has remained extension eligible since last July. He’s limited to an extension at 140 percent of his expiring figure ($13.9 million) or $19.5 million ($87.4 million over four). While that’s a lucrative amount, he is gambling that he’ll get more this summer.

Given his stats (23.3 points and 5.5 assists) and production on the third-best team in the Western Conference heading into the Thunder debacle (the Lakers may dip to the fifth seed without him and Dončić), Reaves should be able to get more in free agency than $87.4 million.

Lakers Can Reward Reaves and Add Talent

Reaves has built a clear chemistry with Dončić. Once LeBron James recognized, accepted and embraced that he needed to be third in the Lakers’ offensive pecking order, the group began to flourish.

Just as Dončić needed Kyrie Irving in Dallas with the Mavericks, Reaves is a dynamic creator who can play off the ball as needed or provide ball-handling relief for teams that choose to swarm Dončić with defenders.

The larger question this offseason for the Lakers is James’ status as an unrestricted free agent.

Assuming the franchise decides not to retain him at his current salary of $52.6 million and allocates those resources instead to younger players who can complement Dončić and Reaves long term, then Los Angeles has enough spending power to retain Reaves and spend elsewhere.

Unsigned, Reaves has a free-agent cap hold of $26.5 million (could be $20.9 million, if the NBA’s estimated average player salary dips lower than expected). Using the larger figure and depending on player options for Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, the Lakers could have nearly $53 million in available cap space.

That could grow if the team makes additional moves via trade (Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, its 2026 first-round pick, etc.).

That cap room could be used to flesh out the roster via free agency, or in trade to acquire players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Trey Murphy III—provided the Lakers have enough to entice the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans Pelicans to deal.

Once the Lakers’ cap room is spent, the team would re-sign Reaves to a number that exceeds his cap hold.

The Market Looks Favorable to Lakers

The Lakers’ negotiating leverage with Reaves will depend on the market, which projects to have few potential suitors. His leverage depends on finding just one team willing to drive up his price.

Based on the NBA’s $165 million cap projection for 2026-27, the Chicago Bulls (about $63 million) and Brooklyn Nets ($44.8 million) should have the most available spending power to chase free agents this summer. Do they choose to go after Reaves? That’s unclear at this early stage.

The Bulls recently let go of their top basketball executive, Artūras Karnišovas. Until a replacement is in place, it’s difficult to gauge direction, though the recent approach was to build around a core of Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Reaves could fit, though that may also depend on the results of the draft lottery on May 10.

Meanwhile, the Nets are among the worst teams in the league this season. A full rebuild, however, will be put on hold in 2026-27, given the Houston Rockets have first-round swap rights with Brooklyn (part of the James Harden trade). Reaves could fit alongside players such as Michael Porter Jr., Nicolas Claxton and others.

It’s also worth monitoring the LA Clippers, whose spending flexibility could change depending on the outcome of the NBA’s ongoing review of the Kawhi Leonard/Aspiration matter.

The league is examining whether any salary-cap rules were violated, and a finding against the team could lead to penalties that might alter Leonard’s contract status and the Clippers’ future cap sheet, which in turn could affect how aggressively they pursue outside talent in Reaves’ range.

Also, the Atlanta Hawks can opt out of the final year of Jonathan Kuminga’s contract and make additional moves to reach Reaves’ asking price.

Other teams can make trades as well to open flexibility, but realistically the Lakers’ competition is likely limited to Chicago and Brooklyn.

Realistic Ceiling/Floor Projection for a Lakers Contract

Without significant challenges from the Chicago Bulls or Brooklyn Nets or a long shot, the Lakers would have some negotiating leverage to reward Reaves enough but not to the maximum extent allowed.

As a veteran with five years of experience, he will be eligible to re-sign with the Lakers (once he opts out of his $14.9 million for 2026-27, a near lock) at a max salary of $41.3 million ($239.3 million over five years). That doesn’t mean the team is obligated to go that high.

The floor would probably be Jalen Johnson’s $30 million annual salary with the Atlanta Hawks. The most competing teams can offer Reaves is four years, $177.4 million.

In general, a franchise wants to pay its best players enough to keep them happy, but also needs to manage luxury taxes, aprons, and roster balance. Reaves’ representation should and likely will ask for max, making the negotiating range $30 million-$41.3 million. A compromise will be based on the starting salary (perhaps $35 million), number of years (presumably 3-5), raises, and other details such as options, trade bonuses, payment advances, etc.

For reference, a deal starting at $35 million with max raises and length is $203 million over five years. That potential should illustrate clearly why Reaves won’t extend before testing that market. A contract starting at $30 million can still hit $174 million over five years, nearly on par with what other teams can pay over four years.

Provided the Lakers and Reaves are motivated to get a deal done, they should be able to find common ground below a full max salary.

A Realistic Trade Partner?

Competing executives aren’t convinced the Lakers can win with a core duo of Dončić and Reaves. Of course, what other teams think is irrelevant to L.A., unless the front office agrees.

Seeing how well the Lakers competed over the last month before the recent spate of injuries could motivate a long-term commitment. If not, L.A. would presumably turn to a sign-and-trade to get value for a developing Reaves instead of losing him for nothing.

Rumors are what they are in the NBA—sometimes reliable, often not. Still, different teams believe the Utah Jazz have interest in Reaves.

In the absence of offers from cap-room teams like the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets—and if the Lakers aren’t willing to compensate handsomely—Reaves would need to choose a destination based on sign-and-trade suitors.

Along with what should be a high pick in the draft, the Jazz would have a high-potential roster with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Reaves. That assumes the Lakers value a center like Walker Kessler, who also went out by sign-and-trade despite an early-season-ending shoulder injury.

The mechanics of such a deal would be complicated, though not impossible. Depending on Kessler’s starting salary, the Lakers could still have the means to chase players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Trey Murphy III (perhaps with additional draft compensation coming with Kessler for Reaves).

While it’s a theory based on rumor, Reaves’ sign-and-trade potential shouldn’t be discounted entirely—though it’s more likely than not that the Lakers choose to keep him outright.

Also, Reaves has significant say over where he’ll play next, and that may not be with the Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans or Jazz, if those are the franchises the Lakers prefer to deal with (also theoretical).

70% chance he stays put.

The biggest reason for the Lakers to keep #4 seed and home court, beat the Rockets in the first round, and see Luka and Austin return for the second round would be to see how the Doncic and Reaves backcourt does in the playoffs as well as how Austin handles the physical defense he will get in playoffs. Seeing how Reaves does in second year of playoffs is critical info for LA.