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

Saint Cy of JFC

Saint Cy of JFC

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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.
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
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.
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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).
 
hgb said:
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).
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I think there is belief LeBron retires this season
 
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.
 
I don't think it's particularly difficult to build a good team around Luka. He just needs rim running bigs and 3 and D wings. Those guys aren't necessarily always available, but they aren't that rare either.
 
SoberasHotRod said:
I don't think it's particularly difficult to build a good team around Luka. He just needs rim running bigs and 3 and D wings. Those guys aren't necessarily always available, but they aren't that rare either.
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That's true. But who is the big? They wont get Walker. They going to get Poetl? Claxton? Neither are great lob threats.
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
That's true. But who is the big? They wont get Walker. They going to get Poetl? Claxton? Neither are great lob threats.
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Not sure who for the short term. It will be interesting if they try and put something together for this year, or start thinking long term already.

This week will be interesting.
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
I just wonder how patient they will be with the Luka build. Is it full steam ahead, or angle for UFA in 2025 or 26?
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I would say this trade makes it more likely they are thinking long term, but then they still have the GOAT in one of his last seasons on their team.
 
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