Lakers 2027 First Rounder: Projecting Lakers Team Building w/Luka

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Just curious how we see the Lakers building now they have Luka and how it looks for our 2027 draft pick.

I think the Lakers have to trade LeBron and kick start the Luka era with whatever assets they can get. If the Lakers are stupid, they won't, and that's good for the Jazz. But what would they actually get back? Would they want Kuminga? A player you'd be forced to overpay for right away? The Lakers have to keep their cap space open for 2026, the year when a lot of great UFAs will potentially be in the market.

I'm assuming the Lakers will have max space next year, but I doubt they use it. The list of free agents next year is laughably bad and no one you would want to max.

So will the Lakers tank 2026 for AJ Dybansta/Cam Boozer? This seems kind of likely to me with the caveat of Luka possibly pressuring the Lakers to make moves to surround him with subpar talent enough to make the playoffs.

In the summer of 2026 there are some interesting names for the Lakers, namely Jaten Jackson Jr, but what if he gets extended by then? I feel like their options could dry up quickly and other teams will be competing with them.

Overall I'm not high on the Lakers future outlook. Their next moves will be key. I still have a lot of hope for the 2027 pick.

 

[zags422]

Lakers:
PG: Doncic/Milton
SG: Reaves/Knecht
SF:Hachimura/DFS
PF: James/Vanderbilt
C: Hayes/Jamison

Good on offense, not great. Lot of ISO. Big defensive question marks.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Lakers:
PG: Doncic/Milton
SG: Reaves/Knecht
SF:Hachimura/DFS
PF: James/Vanderbilt
C: Hayes/Jamison

Good on offense, not great. Lot of ISO. Big defensive question marks.

That's an awful team

 

[hgb]

I'm assuming the Lakers will have max space next year, but I doubt they use it. The list of free agents next year is laughably bad and no one you would want to max.

Looks like they are way over the cap next summer. If cap is $154M (which I'm guessing is what Spotrac is trying to say), LBJ and Luka are slightly over 90 combined, but they also have Kleber, Hachimura, Finney-Smith, Vanderbilt, Reeves and Vincent over 10M (Rui at 18).

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Looks like they are way over the cap next summer. If cap is $154M (which I'm guessing is what Spotrac is trying to say), LBJ and Luka are slightly over 90 combined, but they also have Kleber, Hachimura, Finney-Smith, Vanderbilt, Reeves and Vincent over 10M (Rui at 18).

I think there is belief LeBron retires this season

 

[hgb]

I think there is belief LeBron retires this season

That, or if he just doesn't pick up his option and goes elsewhere in FA, will put them at ~137M (with cap at 154M).

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

That, or if he just doesn't pick up his option and goes elsewhere in FA, will put them at ~137M (with cap at 154M).

He's not leaving LA

 

[hgb]

He's not leaving LA

We'll see. Leaving LA for a year or two of more basketball some other place wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

We'll see. Leaving LA for a year or two of more basketball some other place wouldn't surprise me.

It would since he has said it over and over again.

 

[fishonjazz]

That's an awful team

I tend to kind of a agree but having 2 MVP level dudes can cover a lot of warts

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I tend to kind of a agree but having 2 MVP level dudes can cover a lot of warts

Lebron isnt MVP level anymore. Can he play like a MVP for a game? Sure, but not for a season and I doubt even for an entire series.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Lakers must be positioning themselves to try to coax a free agent to join them. Giannis doesn't have a player option for 3 years. Same with Donovan. It's probably someone coming up sooner.