LakerTom

Lakers fanatic since team traded for Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. Founder, publisher, and driving force behind Lakerholics, a virtual community for Lakers fans.

[Lakers UK @lalakersuk]

I'm really looking forward to seeing Adou Thiero's development heading into his second season.

Hopefully, he can have a healthy offseason and build some confidence/momentum in Summer League.

The flashes he showed in the G League, along with Game 3 against the Thunder, were enough to suggest there's something there.

If he can grow into a serviceable two-way rotation piece on the wing, that would be a win for the Lakers.

#LakeShow

[🅿️erSources CEO @pelinkaburner]

Fulfill the prophecy @Original_Turner

[Evan Sidery @esidery]

De’Aaron Fox’s four-year, $228.6 million extension kicks in next month for the Spurs:

2026-27: $51 million
2027-28: $55.1 million
2028-29: $59.2 million
2029-30: $63.3 million

[🅿️erSources CEO @pelinkaburner]

Maybe Laker fans will start buying the Myles Turner stock i'm tryna sell

One of the only legit stretch bigs in the league that actually matter

Pair Turner and Robinson(FA) and bring Hayes back to be your injury insurance/3rd string guy and the center rotation looking nice

[🅿️erSources CEO @pelinkaburner]

Myles Turner:
- Hasn't averaged <1.5 3pm/game since 2019-2020
- Has averaged 2 3pm/game the past two seasons on 5.5 attempts/game
- Career averages of 2.1 blocks a game(1.6BPG last year)

If you can swap a combo Ayton/Dalton/Vando to take his deal on its a no brainer IMO

[Coach Rome @Rome_Beast]

warming up to the idea of the lakers running a “by committee” center group

they’d be the one of the best defensive frontcourts in the NBA

both cost effective and fit w/ the stars

split their workload evenly to keep impact high

swing factor would just be health obviously

[Victor Croward @VictorCroward24]

@ChitChat_Sports @Yinoma2001 @Baldmojito They’ve actually been over the 1st apron every season since the system was implemented in 2023. It’s the 2nd apron they’ve avoided.

And it does make a difference because cap space means flexibility. Lakers have cap space this summer. Won’t next summer. That’s the point.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

WHY 3 PICKS & 3 SWAPS FOR TREY?
HE & LUKA C/B NEXT STEPH & KLAY

The big reason I'm willing to go all-in on Trey Murphy III is his elite high volume, high percentage 3-point shooting. The Lakers need to embrace analytics and the 3-ball. Trey and Luka together would average 20 3PA's per game. That's what set's Trey apart in my book. He and Luka could be the next Steph and Klay.

SERIOUSLY, THE NEXT STEPH AND KLAY!

That's why I'm willing to empty the Lakers' warchest for Trey. In the pursuit of a player who can be a star for you for a decade, the #25 pick and 2031 and 2033 first rounders are a fair price for what Trey brings the Lakers. As for the swaps, the Lakers picks will never be better than the Pelicans.

SERIOUSLY, THE NEXT STEPH AND KLAY!

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

Lakers Must Surround Luka With
Roster To Beat Thunder & Spurs!

Modern Twin Towers & Superstar Backcourts!

Here is the Lakers 8-man rotation from last year plus 3 elite examples of potential 12-man rotations they could build for next year with a a $460M total player investment that includes $220M payroll and $240M in taxes.

12-MAN ROTATION #3 — KEL’EL WARE & ANDREW WIGGINS!

Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins, Robert Williams III, Keon Ellis, Jonathan Isaac

This 12-man rotation is built around the Lakers trading Dalton Knecht and 3 first round picks to the Heat or Bucks for young center Kel’el Ware and signing veteran small forward Andrew Wiggins to 3-years @ $25M per year.

Kel’el Ware gives the Lakers the modern two-way center of the future they need to protect the rim and space the floor while Andrew Wiggins gives LA the championship proven 3&D wing needed to solidify their wing defense. This Lakers 12-man rotation would include Doncic, Reaves, Wiggins, James, and Ware as the starters backed up by Smart, Kennard, Ellis, Hachimura, and Williams with Isaac and Hayes as 11th and 12th men.

With a dynamic center rotation of Ware, Williams, and Hayes and bully ball forward rotation of James, Wiggins, Hachimura, and Isaac, the Lakers have the front court size and length to beat teams like the Thunder and Spurs.

Knecht, #25 pick, 2031 and 2033 1sts for Ware; 3 yrs @ $25M for Wiggins; 3 yrs @ $10M for Williams; 2 yrs @ $8M for Ellis, and 2 yrs @ $4Mfor Isaac.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

I've always loved Kessler but I don't think we have enough to pry him from Utah and I would not be willing to miss out on other UFA's.

I understand wanting to land your big fish before you commit to your little fish but in this case there are some little fish I would love to see the Lakers lock up quickly because of their value as legitimate rotation players.

I'm talking about Robert Williams ($10 -14M), Jonathan Isaac ($4-$8M), and Keon Ellis ($4-$8M), a trio of defense first players who let us transition from an 8-man to a 12-man rotation. We could lock up these 3 for $25M and almost guarantee a successful offseason.

Their agents need to know of the Lakers potential intereat. All three have been on our radar before. Sign these guys when free agency starts. Don't get tied up going after a big RFA. Know who you want and get them first.

The 4th free agent the Lakers might target could be Andrew Wiggins if he declines his player option for a longer but lessor option. Or Lu Dort if the Thunder exercise their team option.

Lots of options to confuse Lakers. Give me Williams, Isaac, and Ellis first. Then we can look at what we get in trade for our 3 picks and Vando, LaRavia, and Knecht.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

KEL'EL WARE MAY BE HIGHLY REGARDED
BUT HE'S STILL TRADE BAIT FOR GIANNIS...

I agree 100% with your assessment of Ware, Mike. He is the perfect prototype modern center the Lakers need to space the floor and protect the rim. Most analyses have him at worth at least 2 firsts. He's worth 3 to the Lakers because he's still on that rookie contract.

I also agree with the great point you made that the Lakers need to use their picks for young developable players and not veteran stars if they ever want to catchup much less keep up with OKC and SA. In some ways, using picks for players with a couple of years experience could be smarter strategy than gambling on kids coming out of college.

At any rate, Miami may love Ware but Giannis is what they want to get back to being relevant. In fact, you could say that the Miami 'culture' has taken some big hits the last couple of years. Getting the Lakers picks would almost guarantee the Heat could put together the best package to offer the Bucks for Giannis.

Lakers have two shots at Ware. They can make offer to Heat before they trade for Giannis or to Bucks after they trade Giannis. Kel'el Ware would be the best player the Lakers could get for their 3 first round picks.

[Mike Garcia @CanyonDriver]

@LakerTom Just so you know Kel'el Ware is VERY highly regarded in Miami.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

The one thing that really sets Trey apart in my mind and equal to the other options is the volume 3-point shooting. 38% on almost 9 attempts per game. He and Luka would give us 20 3PA per game. Defense, scoring, and volume 3-ball shooting. No other player can give us that with superstar potential. He's the perfect 3 for Luka and Lakers.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

@DrkYesVaccineS @Belgarath76 He’s the perfect second superstar to pair with Luka. The difference maker is he’s a high percentage, high volume 3-point shooter like Luka. He’s the ideal 3&D solution for the Lakers.He’d catapult the Lakers into the modern era.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

LAKERS BEAT OKC OFFER FOR MURPHY III!

Per Eric Pincus, the Thunder could offer Alex Caruso, 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick for Trey Murphy III.

Lakers could offer Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, #25 pick, 2031 and 2033 first round picks and 2026, 2028, and 2030 first round swaps for Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi.

No way Caruso and 2 first round Thunder picks is a better offer for Mutphy than Knecht, LaRavia, Vanderbilt, 3 first round Laker picks, and 3 first round Laker swaps for Murphy and Missi.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

Thunder’s best Trey Murphy III trade offer after Bill Simmons teases possibility https://t.co/vw3bI9nDZh

[🅿️erSources CEO @pelinkaburner]

Andrew Wiggins
Rob Williams
Myles Turner

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

LAKERS NEED MODERN TWO-WAY CENTERS!

While I greatly respect your opinion, I think Redick has shown he can get his players to buy in on 'playing harder' being their special 'cheat code.' There also have been a lot of chinks in the Heat 'culture' the last couple of seasons. They're desperate to trade for Giannis imo. If Lakers can help them better their offer, RIley would not hesitate.

What I'm extremely interested to see is how Mark Walter's commitment to analytics will play out as the Lakers look to rebuild their center rotation. Wemiby showed how tough it's going to be playing traditional centers against him. We should see a revolution in what NBA teams want from their fives going forward.

Lakers need centers who can space the floor horizontally and vertically on offense and proetect the rim and be switchable on defense. To me, that says Pelinka has to be looking at modern two-way centers like Kel'el Ware and Myles Turner and Henri Veesaar. Can't be Wemby by going small.

Meanwhile, Riley wants Giannis and is more than willing to trade Ware as part of the package to get him. Replacing Ware with three Lakers picks could be what wins Giannis for Riley. Heat or Bucks will want those picks over Ware. Main target for Lakers is Kel'el Ware but backup target could be Myles Turner.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

Myles Turner Would Fit Well On Lakers!
But Kel'el Ware Would Be Perfect Fit.

There is a realistic scenario where the Bucks trade 30-year old Myles Turner to the Lakers for cash as part of a Heat and Bucks Giannis trade with LA absorbing his $25M salary into their cap space. This could happen if the Bucks preferred to keep 22-year old Kel'el Ware rather than trading him to LA for 2 picks.

While Turner didn't have a good year with the Bucks,
there's a good chance he would rebound playing with the Lakers just like Marcus Smart did. Gettimg him without having to give up picks would enable us to use the picks to fill the starting small forward position. So Turner's not just consolation prize.

The way teams are suddenly valuing first round picks and the uncertainty of the new rules being considered to eliminate tanking have made first round picks more valuable than ever. Both Miami and Milwaukee already have veteran starting centers on significant contracts. Are they both really going to decline an offer of 2 first round picks for a backup center?

Frankly, if the Lakers could pick between these two deals, which do you think they should take?

1. Trading for 30-year old Myles Turner for $25M in cap space. Keeping 3 first round picks and $35M to chase a starting 3&D wing plus more shooting and defense.

Or

2. Trading for 22-year old Kel'el Ware for Knecht, #25 pick, and 2031 pick. Keeping 1 first round pick and $60M in cap space to to chase a starting 3&D wing plus more shooting and defense.

[Mike Garcia @CanyonDriver]

@LakerTom Just so you know Kel'el Ware is VERY highly regarded in Miami.

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

Lakers Must Surround Luka With
Roster To Beat Thunder & Spurs!

Modern Twin Towers & Superstar Backcourts!

Here is the Lakers 8-man rotation from last year plus 3 elite examples of potential 12-man rotations they could build for next year with a a $460M total player investment that includes $220M payroll and $240M in taxes.

12-MAN ROTATION #1 — TREY MURPHY III & YVES MISSI!

This 12-man rotation is built around the Lakers trading Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, 3 first round picks, and 3 first round swaps to the Pelicans for small forward Trey Murphy III and center Yves Missi.

This is the Lakers basically making their best offer for Trey Murphy III, whom they see as the perfect future second superstar to pair with Luka Doncic. There’ll be competition but the value of picks is at all time high. The Lakers would suddenly boast a 12-man rotation with Doncic, Reaves, Murphy, James, and Missi starting and Smart, Kennard, Ellis, Hachimura, and Williams as backups plus Isaac and Hayes as 11th and 12th men.

That’s a superstar powered deep and diverse Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup and 12-man rotation that could compete with any team in the NBA, including both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

Vanderbilt, Knecht, LaRavia, #25 Pick, 2031 & 2033 Picks, 2026, 2028,& 2030 Swaps for Murphy & Ware; 3 yrs @ $10M for Williams; 2 yrs @ $8M for Ellis; and 2 yrs @ $4M for Isaac.

https://t.co/aI9Ghyj5kn

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

Lakers Must Surround Luka With
Roster To Beat Thunder & Spurs!

Modern Twin Towers & Superstar Backcourts!

Here is the Lakers 8-man rotation from last year plus 3 elite examples of potential 12-man rotations they could build for next year with a a $460M total player investment that includes $220M payroll and $240M in taxes.

12-MAN ROTATION #2 — LUGENTZ DORT & MYLES TURNER!

Luguentz Dort, Myles Turner, Robert Williams III, Keon Ellis, Jonathan IsaacPress enter or click to view image in full size📷

This 12-man rotation is built around LA trading 2031 and 2033 first round picks to OKC for Lugentz Dort and the #17 pick in the draft and trading Vanderbilt, Knecht, LaRavia, and #25 pick to the Bucks for Myles Turner.

While Lu Dort struggled vs. the Spurs, pairing him with Marcus Smart in an aggressive and physical point-of-attack perimeter defense backed up by a rim protector like Myles Turner could transform the Lakers defensively. The Lakers could roll out an impressive two-way starting lineup of Doncic, Reaves, Dort, James, and Turner backed up by Smart, Kennard, Ellis, Hachimura, and Williams with Isaac and Hayes as 11th and 12th men.

This 12-man rotation balances the offensive punch of Doncic, Reaves, and James with defensive mentality of Smart and 5 new elite defenders in Dort, Turner, Williams, Ellis, and Isaac. And moves draft pick from #25 to #17.

2031 & 2033 Picks for #17 pick & Dort, Vanderbilt, Knecht, LaRavia, & #25 Pick for Turner; 3 yrs @ $10M for Williams; 2 yrs @ $8M for Ellis; and 2 yrs @ $4M for Isaac.

https://t.co/aI9Ghyj5kn

[LakerTom @LakerTom]

Lakers Must Surround Luka With
Roster To Beat Thunder & Spurs!

Modern Twin Towers & Superstar Backcourts!

Here is the Lakers 8-man rotation from last year plus 3 elite examples of potential 12-man rotations they could build for next year with a a $460M total player investment that includes $220M payroll and $240M in taxes.

12-MAN ROTATION #3 — KEL’EL WARE & ANDREW WIGGINS!

Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins, Robert Williams III, Keon Ellis, Jonathan Isaac

This 12-man rotation is built around the Lakers trading Dalton Knecht and 3 first round picks to the Heat or Bucks for young center Kel’el Ware and signing veteran small forward Andrew Wiggins to 3-years @ $25M per year.

Kel’el Ware gives the Lakers the modern two-way center of the future they need to protect the rim and space the floor while Andrew Wiggins gives LA the championship proven 3&D wing needed to solidify their wing defense. This Lakers 12-man rotation would include Doncic, Reaves, Wiggins, James, and Ware as the starters backed up by Smart, Kennard, Ellis, Hachimura, and Williams with Isaac and Hayes as 11th and 12th men.

With a dynamic center rotation of Ware, Williams, and Hayes and bully ball forward rotation of James, Wiggins, Hachimura, and Isaac, the Lakers have the front court size and length to beat teams like the Thunder and Spurs.

Knecht, #25 pick, 2031 and 2033 1sts for Ware; 3 yrs @ $25M for Wiggins; 3 yrs @ $10M for Williams; 2 yrs @ $8M for Ellis, and 2 yrs @ $4Mfor Isaac.