2025 Free Agency Thread

[Tremendous Upside]

Half tank was criminal management.

It's way too easy to say that.

It's much harder to say how we should have executed a full-season tank in 22-23 when Lauri shocked literally everyone by coming out the gates with a head full of steam and looking like a volume-scoring star, a Top 20 player. That group played very well and easily looked like a playoff contender.

Ainge had a choice at the deadline: either bring in a few reinforcements, say "**** it we ball" and go for the playoffs.... or trade all the good vets, Lauri included, kneecapping the team 100%. That was the first point where you can really say he made a huge mistake... by not committing to either option.

22-23 was never going to be a full season tank once the weird collection of cast-offs, second chance guys and fringe role players got going, which happened right away. Nobody saw it coming.

My opinion is that holding on to Lauri was insanity once it became clear that Ainge was not going to improve that iteration of the team. He simply had to be traded ASAP,

 

[KqWIN]

It's way too easy to say that.

It's much harder to say how we should have executed a full-season tank in 22-23 when Lauri shocked literally everyone by coming out the gates with a head full of steam and looking like a volume-scoring star, a Top 20 player. That group played very well and easily looked like a playoff contender.

Ainge had a choice at the deadline: either bring in a few reinforcements, say "**** it we ball" and go for the playoffs.... or trade all the good vets, Lauri included, kneecapping the team 100%. That was the first point where you can really say he made a huge mistake... by not committing to either option.

22-23 was never going to be a full season tank once the weird collection of cast-offs, second chance guys and fringe role players got going, which happened right away. Nobody saw it coming.

Ainge hung onto those role players like they were the most precious assets one could have. And he also added winning players during that time for no reason. It's easy to say that now, it was easy to say that then.

 

[KqWIN]

Half tank but full failure amirite?

If we keep Collins we might be heading for another half tank.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

If we keep Collins we might be heading for another half tank.

I just can't imagine we call the Heat and say Rozier for Collins and give us a second round pick in 2032 and it isn't a massive win for the Heat. Then you waive Rozier.

 

[seattlejazzfan]

Half tank was criminal management. We are paying for DA's sins.

especially in the wemby draft. criminal indeed.

 

[KqWIN]

Locke basically said that the Lakers were fighting over 2 versus 3 picks before the 22/23 season in a Conley+Bojan+others for Westbrook trade. We ended up with one pick....but we lost so much more along the way.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

If we keep Collins we might be heading for another half tank.

I think Austin is willing to do the things Danny won't

 

[KqWIN]

I just can't imagine we call the Heat and say Rozier for Collins and give us a second round pick in 2032 and it isn't a massive win for the Heat. Then you waive Rozier.

With the way things are going, we'll end up giving up the pick for Rozier.

I think Austin is willing to do the things Danny won't

Wish we had AA to begin with.

 

[LoPo]

I’m shocked that Collin’s doesn’t have substantial value to the Lakers especially as an expiring. They are desperate for size. I know Collins doesn’t play that big, but he seems like a good option rotating with LeBron, Vanderbilt, etc.

You’re gonna tell me that the Lakers wouldn’t be over the moon for a Vincent, Kleber and 2nds for Collins?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

With the way things are going, we'll end up giving up the pick for Rozier.



Wish we had AA to begin with.

Just work a buyout for John while teams still have BAE money left to spend. Save 4-5M.

 

[KqWIN]

Just work a buyout for John while teams still have BAE money left to spend. Save 4-5M.

Maybe we can make in a S&T with IND and MIL to send him to IND or take Kleber + Vincent to save some cash. Buyout/waive is totally fine with me. My least favorite option is keeping him. Don't want him playing instead of Flip/Ace/Hendricks and it makes me sick to force him to be benched.

 

[framer]

Also Knecht... cuz... why not.

We got Knecht at home. Better to let the Lakers overpay him.