Problem is they can’t sign anybody to the 15th spot until they make a consolidation trade. Then they will have at least 2 openings so they need to send out enough dollars to pay 2 more minimum salaries.

Then there’s the issue of Vucevic or Love as the stretch five? Whom we sign as minimum salary players to fill out the roster are still just the 14th and 15th players. It’s the player whom we trade two players for or the two players for whom we trade three players that have to include a starting small forward and backup center.

I’d be stoked if we could find a way to S&T him for Kleber but we don’t have much juice to swing those kind of deals. Takes a pick for a favor.

It’d be surprising if he didn’t.

Miodrag “Miško” Ražnatović is a Serbian lawyer and sports agent and former professional basketball player. He is the chairman, CEO, and founder of the BeoBasket agency and FIBA-certified agent. He is the agent for Nikola Jokic.

What the hell is LeBron doing meeting with Joker’s agent?

Wants Jokic to lead his Vegas team in expansion. Also literally the one player LeBron could consider taking a massive pay cut for. Maybe Steph, too.

The more I think about it the less I think LeBron plays past next season. The odds of another team ponying up $25 mil for an aged superstar seem remote. What near contender will have that much cap space next season? None according to what I’ve looked at. The space folks anticipated for next season seems unlikely after so many signed extensions. Plus you can cross off the majority of the NBA as a destination: New York, LA, SF, Cleveland. That’s it. So…where would he even play? The Lakers May end up prioritizing Reaves over James. Is he looking to get disrespected?

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

“JJ just wants me to be me. The person that I was in Boston, the person that he played against and had me chasing around when he was on the court playing. So that’s all he asked me and I think I could do that to the best of my ability with the best of them because like I said I have a chip on my shoulder and I’m ready to go.”

Marc Stein believes LeBron James will not retire a Laker.Not shocked here. They aren’t going all in and I fully support and agree with his decision to go to a franchise that will go all in and expend every asset possible to win. pic.twitter.com/gJAox5xiY2— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) July 26, 2025

The Lakers “widely presumed preferred scenario” for their future is letting LeBron James contract drop off their books after the 2025-26 season, per @TheSteinLine “The threat of him leaving Lakerland next summer is no threat at all now”(https://t.co/sR6qyhYNwh) pic.twitter.com/yQsgMWdFKH— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 26, 2025

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

Last month, Reaves declined a four-year contract extension worth $90 million. Since then, there has been no word on Reaves and the Lakers negotiating a new contract.

Reaves’ current contract includes a $14.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season. After averaging career-highs of 20.2 points and 5.8 assists per game, there is an expectation that Reaves will decline the option in search of a more lucrative deal.

Reaves holds most, if not all, of the leverage. It’s not a secret that the Lakers view Reaves as a burgeoning star they would rather keep than lose, but the decision ultimately lies in his hands. If he and the Lakers can’t work out a new deal sometime this year, the Lakers face the risk of losing him in 2026 free agency.

Should the Lakers Explore a Trade?

There is an uncomfortable alternative to letting Reaves walk in free agency. The Lakers could explore trading him at the 2026 trade deadline. A trade would ensure the Lakers receive valuable pieces in exchange for Reaves, as opposed to losing a player of his stature without gaining anything in return other than cap space.

This alternative shrinks the timetable for negotiating a new contract from an entire season to just a few months. If retaining Reaves is truly a goal for the Lakers, agreeing on a new contract should be as urgent as ever.

However, it doesn’t seem to be as much of a priority as it should be.

One reason is that the Lakers’ newest addition makes the on-court fit and rotations a bit more complicated. Marcus Smart is a much-needed perimeter defender, but where would the 6-foot-5 guard fit in the backcourt rotation that already features Reaves and Luka Dončić?

All three guards could start, but this would force Reaves and a 40-year-old LeBron to play bigger. Smart could simply come off the bench, but that would leave the starting lineup lacking perimeter defense and the second unit lacking scoring. The most logical option would be for Reaves to come off the bench and lead the second unit, but is the rising star ready and willing to embrace a Manu Ginobli-esque role in his contract year?

A solution to the newfound rotational problems would be to simply move on from Reaves. The Lakers could choose to fill the roster’s holes instead of trying to make the guard-heavy rotation work. Reaves could be a valuable asset that yields multiple, necessary pieces for a retool via trade.

With so many factors at play, it is unclear how Austin Reaves’ situation will play out, but Lakers fans may need to prepare themselves for his sudden departure.

Another dog days of summer article. They Lakers offered him every penny they could under the CBA. Everyone knew he would decline it, because his value is much higher than that. There is no reason to negotiate a new deal at this time because they can’t offer him one. Sometimes I wonder if these writers have a basic understanding of league rules. They will play out the season and will see what Austins market value is at that time. Austin has given every indication that he wants to stay a Laker. I suspect he will.

Just some more ‘blah blah blah’. He’ betting on himself, good luck to him, hope he slays this season and works his way into a $30+ million deal.

Super teams today are more likely to be created by the players themselves as NBA general managers. KD, Kyrie, LeBron.

What the Mavs trade did is transform Luka from passive to active when it comes to having a say about with whom he plays. Instead of saying that’s Rob’s job, Luka got involved with both De’Andre and Marcus. I have a hunch Luka is already thinking about whom he wants to be LeBron James replacement and I think it’s Jokic.

Luka and Nikola are friends and it’s probably going to Luka wanting the Lakers to go after one of his closest friends who is also an elite NBA player. We may owe more to Nico than we originally thought. LOL. He’s turned Luka into his own GM.

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

1-Nikola Jokić
2-Victor Wembanyama
3-Ivica Zubac
4-Alperen Sengun
5-Rudy Gobert
6-Domantas Sabonis
7-Deandre Ayton
8-Dere14-Brook Lopez
ck Lively II
9-Isaiah Hartenstein
10-Walker Kessler
11-Naz Reid
12-Donovan Clingan
13-Daniel Gafford
14-Brook Lopez
15-Mark Williams
16-Zach Edey
17-Steven Adams (If not for injury and playing time concerns, I’d have Adams ranked much higher)
18-Clint Capela
19-Jonas Valanciunas
20-Kevon Looney
21-Luke Kornet
22-Robert Williams III
23-Yves Missi
24-Jaylin Williams
25-Kelly Olynyk
26-Quinten Post
27-Nick Richards
28-Jaxson Hayes
29-Trayce Jackson-Davis
30-Oso Ighodaro

DE'ANDRE AYTON, 7TH BEST WEST CENTER?Iztok Franco has the Lakers' De'Andre Ayton ranked as the 7th best center in the Western Conference although clearly in a tier below the top 6 centers. While critics have questioned Ayton's motor, he's been consistent and durable,… https://t.co/lEyhhukQWv pic.twitter.com/55kxW4P7Uq— LakerTom (@LakerTom) July 25, 2025

This list is moronic without Chet Holmgren and Anthony Davis.

This makes sense, wait a season and go from 1 to 3 potential FRP’s to trade. I’m astounded something so logical got posted…

Like Vando, he came into last season out of NBA shape. He looks a lot better…against summer league talent…and here’s hoping he keeps getting better.

He looked solid against Summer League level talent. Same basic package (long, nimble, athletic) but looked more sure of himself, especially on defense. A lot like a younger, lighter Hayes. Nothing to get too pumped about, he’s still a 2 way guy, but a solid 3rd option at center, should it come to it for a stretch.