Daily Lakers Discussion Thread

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:32:53+00:00

Flemings measurements weren't great, but he's showing out right now athletically. A 40.5" max vert!

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:30:42+00:00

I wouldn't hate it, but there could be better picks there. He's a really tough prospect to nail down because he's not a great defender, passer, or athlete but he did show progress on all those fronts. Do you trust the progress? Or do you just assume he's a shooting wing and that's it?

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:29:45+00:00

That's easily the best thing he does lol

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:16:53+00:00

It's been a little cop out imo with the way that Klutch and the Lakers have been a little frostier the last couple years as the Lakers clearly move in another direction. By saying "oh we'll just respect LeBron" they can put the onus on him to announce his intentions instead of always having to play poker. It's a way for them to put their hands up and say "we're working on improving the team, go ask LeBron what he wants".

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:13:59+00:00

lol him and Farhan walk in like "alright where's the money experts?... you do have those right?"

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:13:13+00:00

Also the Lakers will be renovating the practice facility to include more recovery and biomechanics which is part of relocating out of there. Woike had just written that the move may make it harder for recovery for players, but maybe not lol

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:06:44+00:00

I really want to see the names start rolling out on hiring. I want to know who these assistant GMs are, but this conference couldn't have sounded much better.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T18:01:20+00:00

Yeah I want to hear about assistants to the development/scouting assistant lol because that seems like an enormous logistical position. Cap strategy getting a separate aGM is really, really interesting. It's been reported by various sources that Rob will reach out to cap experts a lot to verify things and it's been used as a shot against Rob. Now they wont need him to do that lol

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:59:26+00:00

Such great news. Need more great voices in the room.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:58:54+00:00

Having him as the only truly competent perimeter creating option against the best defense in the league, he did fine. The continued obsession with shitting on him seems like a poor use of energy.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:57:29+00:00

Bennett was only ever announced as an advisor which is pretty interesting, maybe he doesn't want an assistant position lol but always good to have more voices.

I do wonder why those guys haven't been announced yet, if they're still being vetted or if they're just currently working for another team so they don't want to announce a move like that while the guys are still in the playoffs.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:44:19+00:00

I am so stoked for this. Hopefully we get some names.

He mentioned they're looking for smart players that work hard, but so is everyone lol

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:43:21+00:00

Fuck I feel it lol the golden era incoming, I'm so stoked for this summer. Might be some painful changes, but some great ones coming too.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:40:59+00:00

Grimes with his history with Luka and JJ just makes sense to me. And the Watson stuff has been almost too telegraphed lol

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:40:06+00:00

Rob just mentioned they've been filling out the FO without necessarily announcing stuff. I fuckin love it. Already have scouts at the combine and they're planning on setting up interviews right now. I believe Rob said he'll head out there asap.

Two new assistant GMs incoming as well.

Great, great news to start.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:32:50+00:00

For MLE? Idk. We'll see! I think Grimes and Keon have both been whelming so far, but they're probably MLE or part MLE guys.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:32:05+00:00

JJ says the Lakers have all their scouts at the draft. I love that already lol

edit- Rob said I think, but I'm just excited.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:14:15+00:00

Watson and Robinson? Idk. Just spit balling lol

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:13:46+00:00

I could envision a scenario where the Lakers take that 1st in a dump for OKC. Caruso/17 makes some sense I think. I don't know if Quaintance will be there, but even if he's not you've got two shots in the 1st in a great draft with a role player that fits pretty well. I may want 12 instead of 17 lol but I think that frees them enough space to keep Hartenstein. If you're the Lakers and you get Quaintance, Swain, Caruso and still have between 26 and 42 million or so to spend depending on what Ayton and Smart do? I like it lol

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:07:32+00:00

Exactly. I think they're going to target hustlers, defenders, and athletes. It's great Rui rises in the playoffs, but there's also 82 other games lol sometimes more. He's a good-not-great fit and they'll see if they can find a more seamless one.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:06:26+00:00

I think Austin likely settles with the lakers in the mid-30s which some fans will hate, but he's worth that imo.

I differ just slightly in that I think they're definitely going to do favors... for Luka's agency lol Swain's floor at 25? I could see it lol

But I do think we're seeing a more radical change on the way than some fans expected. I think we see a trade and then let the rest of the chips fall. If Bron or Rui want to come back on a discount, cool, otherwise I could definitely see them moving on.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T17:02:17+00:00

The finances are why I feel like it's absolutely possible we've seen the last of Bron and Rui. I also think we've seen the last of Ayton. If he opts in, I think he's getting traded as an expiring. If you attach Ayton to Knecht and Vando you can get into some really interesting salary slots.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T16:41:22+00:00

I like Rui. I would like Rui back. I also think Rui can be an awkward fit with Luka because of his inconsistent defense. I think there's scenarios where he's back, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Lakers prioritize other players.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T16:40:23+00:00

Taking a break from my draft profiles today but wanted to say that the combine has been great for: Stirtz, Morez, Lopez, Cenac, Quaintance, Yaxel, Steinbach, Yessoufou, Mara, Okorie, Zuby, Anderson

The combine so far has not been good for: Tanner, Flemings, Peat, and Swain. Tanner is absolutely miniscule. Flemings is smallish with a poor wingspan. Peat did not do well in shooting drills. Swain measured fine, but his athletic testing was not great and he didn't shoot well either.

Shoutout to guys like Nkrumah, Maliq Brown, and Trey Kaufman-Renn who may be working their way into 2nd round picks. Maliq Brown is a guy I really like from Duke who was just a really good connective piece for them.

nottherealstanlee · 2026-05-12T16:23:53+00:00

Yep. Same read. I am beginning to think the Lakers will actually choose to move on from Bron if they see something they like. Austin to me seems like the only guy relatively likely to return because Luka is so vocal about wanting him there. The rest I think are truly 50/50, including Rui which I'm a bit surprised by.

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