- Joined
- Dec 5, 2008
- Messages
- 35,973
- Reaction score
- 101,647
- Points
- 148
Would likely have to be a buyout. Or trade picks late in the 2020s. But when you have AD and Lebron you do that. As we have seen, picks can be acquired...Windler, KPJ, etc.
The Lakers cannot trade any first rounders. You can only go 7 years in advance. With the unique protections involved, I don't believe the Lakers can trade any first round picks until as early as 2027 which means not this season.. or maybe they can trade their 2027 1st? But yeah that's not gonna happen lol.
Also they don;t have a lot of great salary outgoing because Green, AD and Bron are not going to be traded. I guess they could trade KCP, Kuzma and Cousins for something but that's not getting you anything special.
The Lakers lack flexibility to improve beyond minimum buyout contracts for the most.
Their biggest weakness is a secondary ball-handler/playmaker that can be effective alongside LBJ(Rondo is not the answer). They also really need a big wing defender and I know they want Iguodala badly but that's pretty unlikely. Memphis is going to trade him for something.
If LeBron can maintain this level for another year after this season, I think next year they could have a pretty good shot at the title though I still think the Clippers are just a terrible match-up for them and can AD hold up over the course of a long playoff run? At some point they have to sit him, right? To heal that shoulder?