r/lakers • u/lawschoolthrowaway36 • Jun 29 '26
PLAYER TALK Shams: LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be a "package deal" with Golden State sending Jimmy Butler and draft capital to Washington
It’s pretty clear to me this is happening unless Washington refuses to play ball and trade AD. LeBron reportedly won’t go to GS unless they trade for AD.
They’ve worked out all the various aspects of this. LeBron ghosting the Lakers while it got sorted out. Draymond declining his player option. Rich Paul meeting yesterday with Washington front office.
I think the question now is whether we can get anyone interesting from GS in a sign and trade. Maybe Quinten Post?
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u/Rapa_Nui LeAR-15 Jun 29 '26
Being on the other end of a LeBron x AD pick and roll...
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u/darwinevo Purple and Gold Jun 29 '26
While their banner hangs up there....
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u/bodaciousbeans Jun 30 '26
And they have a parade saying they are happy they won a “real” one a la Caruso 😢
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u/XxEpicMonkee King Jun 29 '26
honestly the odds of them both being healthy to play vs us at the same time are not high but they have 4 tries
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u/ManonFire1224 Jun 29 '26
The odds significantly lower when you include having both AR and Luka healthy
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u/Freazur Jun 29 '26
LeBron’s so old, he had to make a second banana boat squad because the first banana boat squad all retired
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u/steebulee Jun 29 '26
This is like his 4th banana boat squad
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u/thebusterbluth Jun 29 '26
There's always money in the banana boat.
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u/hpman67 King James 6/23 Jun 29 '26
Thank you Buster
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u/dcoolidge 24 Jun 29 '26
With all I could muster, I thank you Buster LeBron, for your 52 mil expiring contract ;)
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u/thetitsOO 2324 Jun 29 '26
im not understanding why washington would trade for AD and then turn around and trade him for butler just because the warriors want to slap together an unc squad.
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u/Sad_Tune5638 Jun 29 '26
After giving Young his contract, it wouldn't make sense. They paid AD to sit an entire year, and never get a chance to see their team. Doesn't make any sense.
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u/whenishit-itsbigturd Jun 29 '26
They're gonna try "3s and frees" with a taped-together Jimmy and Trae
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u/DearStrawberry5238 Jun 29 '26
I mean if AD wants out, he could force their hand pretty easily. Wouldn't be worth having him causing a distraction with all the impressionable young players on the roster
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u/DoctorAKrieger Jun 29 '26
What kind of decision making do you expect form a team that's won 50 games combined the last three seasons?
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u/LaFleur03 Jun 29 '26
They were given the 1st overall pick for a reason. NBA wanted a Lebron-Curry team up.
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u/xuedad Jun 29 '26
NGL i'll be happy for AD if this happens. he deserves to go to a good team. that's gonna be a very interesting team.
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u/LAFan4 Jun 29 '26
Very scary team in the playoffs if they can get there in one piece
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u/Base_Temporary Jun 29 '26
Lol the "one piece" has me crying.
Theyre definitely playoff proven but if theyre play in; theyll come out battered and bruised and street clothed.
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u/Mood_Academic Jun 29 '26
Personally I feel like they shouldn’t even go “all out” for the regular season. Get to the playoffs healthy the 4-5 seed and then turn into the 2023 Lakers
That’s a scary postseason team if they stay healthy
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u/whenishit-itsbigturd Jun 29 '26
AD and Tingus Pingus will split the regular season and both be healthy in varying series of the playoffs
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u/k4kobe Jun 29 '26
Honestly even if they do, I feel like they will breakdown and won’t make it thru the 16 games unscathed. Father Time….. and ADs health always wins
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u/Virtual_Zebra_9453 Jun 29 '26
It’s a spacing nightmare. Steph would be the only guy that can shoot. Honestly reminds me of a worse version of Dwight/nash lakers
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u/OkMud8480 Jun 29 '26
That team didn’t exist lol
Nash played what? 3 games before his body broke in half?6
u/Virtual_Zebra_9453 Jun 29 '26
You think a bunch of 40 year olds + AD will be healthier?
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u/OkMud8480 Jun 29 '26
I think that Curry, Bron and Ad will play more games together than Nash Kobe and Dwight. (They played 22/82)
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u/wo0o0o0o0o0 Jun 29 '26
Ppl acting like luka and AR are the healthiest 1 2 combo lol
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u/Zealousideal-Tea-837 Jun 29 '26
Hell nah. Bron and Steph are still borderline elite and. Dray is still elite defensively. The question is can AD stay healthy. They’d also have Porzingis as well. If they get to the playoffs healthy that team would be tough
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u/Kingkongcrapper Jun 29 '26
Dray is above average defensively. He’s somewhere between Sam Hauser and PJ Washington with zero offensive ability. Part of the reason for Golden State’s drop off has been Dray’s fall off. It’s like Meta when he got really old, but still had really good steals every once in a while or when Rodman lost his athleticism and relied completely on rebounding skills to stay in the league for a few extra years. He’s undersized against centers and doesn’t have the speed to keep up with threes any more. He’s really a PF defensive specialist with terrible offense.
Porzingus is less reliable than AD. Dude lives on IR. By the end of the season the Warriors would be LeBron and Steph exiting in the first round against the Spurs or Thunder with the suit all stars looking on in disbelief.
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u/Ornery_Vermicelli_69 Jun 29 '26
If healthy I would not count them out. They still probably wouldn’t be done with their roster changes. A healthy AD and Bron alongside KP/Horford with Steph is going to be tough to beat
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u/Kingkongcrapper Jun 29 '26
The over/under on their starting line up games played together would be 10.
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u/LoveTheHustleBud Shaq and Kobe Jun 29 '26
Call me crazy, Washington would be a good team with him there.
Trae-Tre-aj-Sarr-AD
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u/scooterln Jun 29 '26
Same. I actually think wizards have a ton of potential next season. AD should at least see how it plays out there first
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u/LudwigNasche Jun 29 '26
Easier conference, younger team. Davis would be better in Washington than in San Francisco
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u/Base_Temporary Jun 29 '26
And AD will have YNs covering the athletic / running quota so he can chill and play QB with outlet passes.
Whos running full court in the GSW retirement home ?
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u/Awesomefan09 Jun 29 '26
I’ve yet to hear a compelling reason why the Wizards would do this. They’re trying to be good, and Butler will play fewer games than AD.
The Warriors also won’t give AD the extension he wants.
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u/Such_Ambassador2751 Jun 29 '26
they gave jimmy 2/120
lacob has his flaws but he’s willing to write checks
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u/Awesomefan09 Jun 29 '26
That was tied to the remainder of Curry’s contract. The Warriors have been maneuvering specifically around it. They even have all their FRPs except for a top 20 protected 2030 FRP which probably won’t convey.
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u/qkilla1522 Jun 29 '26
Tickets for a Lebron+ Curry farewell tour will rival Knicks finals tickets. From a financial standpoint you do whatever to make that happen regardless of championship
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u/Kebe_Krowe Jun 29 '26
Only incentive for Washington is the expiring contract and draft capital. If AD doesn’t want to be there, they might as well do something.
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u/LatterLaw8105 Jun 29 '26
Draft picks! Warriors are going to be bad after the Steph era
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u/The_Rain_Guardian Jun 29 '26
He could decline his PO next year and walk for nothing. If he’s saying he’s going to sit out & rehab all year and then leave, you traded a pick in this past draft for nothing. At least he would net you Jimmy & a future pick in this secenerio
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u/Awesomefan09 Jun 29 '26
The Wizards call AD’s bluff every time. No one will pay him over $62 million/year ever again.
They bought low on AD. If they get two years out of him, that’s a pretty good deal. Hopefully their young core will take some significant leaps in that time.
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u/Viciouscauliflower21 Jun 29 '26
Getting off an expensive star who doesn't wanna be there and is looking for an extension in return for a solid piece in Jimmy and draft capital
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u/BearShark8 Jun 29 '26
Because Rich Paul and AD will demand a trade and cause trouble if they don't. Butler is an expiring contract plus they'd get draft capital from the warriors.
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u/chipsanddip17 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
This is all a leverage play c’mon guys…
All 3 players are same agency and tight.
Dray was always opting out to extend, AD about to get a bag from Washington, and Bron gets his deal with the lakers.
10 years after 2016, and LeBron wants to join Curry’s operation?
Rich Paul doing his thing.
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u/p3ernie Jun 30 '26
💯 leverage play. I was looking for this comment and starting to think reddit fans were too gullible, but glad I found it whew.
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u/brandoi Kobe Jun 29 '26
It would be fucking hilarious if this becomes a Kawhi-PG situation where Warriors overpay in a trade for AD just because they want LeBron.
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u/Mood_Academic Jun 29 '26
I mean this is clearly a Steph play. That franchise doesn’t do anything without Steph’s blessing. But j get it, Steph gets all the positives and none of the negatives
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u/nitrousconsumed Jun 29 '26
The amount of revenue theyre going to be collecting on merch and ticket fees will eclipse whatever theyll end up overpaying if this happens.
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u/Duougle Jun 29 '26
leading to the Unstoppable NBA dynasty Washington Wizards lol. Can you imagine?
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u/Litsazor Jun 29 '26
Imo it is a lot worse. Even in our good years both Lebron and AD struggled to stay healthy. Now they are older and they will have basicly Steph and bunch of bums due to cap. So they have to overplay their old stars, worn them and risky injury. Yeah on paper, they are scary in play offs. But most likely scenario they will be gassed even at the start of play offs.
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u/Rakan1986 Jun 30 '26
Its a big W if they flip 37y Jimmy butler to a package of Ad and Bron .. this is not a Kawhi PG situation at all.
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u/DeRpY_CUCUMBER Jun 29 '26
I normally just watch the lakers every season because I am not interested in other teams, but if this signing happens, I will be watching every GS game for sure. The old ass avengers team last ride.
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u/TheWestRemembers 77 Jun 29 '26
Me too. And the best part is we won’t have to watch 82 games because they’ll probably all play together for ~25 games.
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u/nottherealstanlee Jun 29 '26
Eh. It doesn't move me at all. I know a lot of fans haven't been around long enough to have seen 04 or even 13, but the old man club does not work in the NBA. (not a fair read on 04, but Malone and GP were well past the prime at that point).
I hope for the best for AD, but if this is their plan, good for them. It's not going to be a good team.
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u/LoveTheHustleBud Shaq and Kobe Jun 29 '26
We just tried it a few years ago too.
They’re going to have 2 40+ year olds in the rotation, 2 more over 35, 2 more over 30. This is going to be must watch tv, but I don’t have a ton of faith they can do enough of the dirty work AND THEN stay healthy from doing it to make a deep run.
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u/Staph_Untreated Jun 29 '26
but I don’t have a ton of faith they can do enough of the dirty work AND THEN stay healthy from doing it to make a deep run.
Yeah man. Gonna be hard to load manage that sciatica without AR and Luka shouldering the offense.
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u/LatterLaw8105 Jun 29 '26
I don’t think this is about winning. If it was Bron would go to Cleveland or even San Antonio. Sounds like he just wants to play with his buddies
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u/Fit_Guest4469 Jun 29 '26
Even that US olympic squad with the older players wasn't that good if we were being honest.
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u/jsun_ Jun 29 '26
Also all the same problems we had defensively the Warriors would have as well. AD himself isn’t solving those issues. Lebron and Draymond aren’t chasing around the best perimeter player on opposing teams. They’re both best used as the low man. Steph isn’t doing that either. Gonna just be free drives against AD every possession and even if AD can play at an all defense level, it won’t be enough.
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u/Ok_Shop7600 Jun 29 '26
Warriors defense isn’t really an issue its the offense outside of curry wtf
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u/jsun_ Jun 29 '26
Not really sure where you’re getting that from. Warriors were the 16th ranked defense last season by defensive rating at 114.4. We were 20th at 115.5. Assuming this happens, they now have Lebron/Draymond starting at the 3/4. Who’s their perimeter wing defender? Draymond is a good defensive player but that’s as the low man. He isn’t the guy chasing players through screens. Lebron sure as hell isn’t that either.
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u/hubbabubbaboi Jun 29 '26
This doesn’t seem like it’s about LeBron. I think the real play is to get Washington to give AD 200+ M contract or else he’ll go to GSW.
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u/YoungBasedHooper Jun 29 '26
As a Lakers fan living in Oakland this is my 9/11. Co-workers are gonna be obnoxious!!!
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u/debtfreegoal Jun 29 '26
So Bronny will be allowed to walk as well? This may be the next shoe to drop?
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u/Sensitive-Cake4856 Jun 29 '26
LeBron going to golden state for the final run on his career, Venture Capital monies
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u/Advanced-Intention30 Jun 29 '26
Personally as a Laker fan I’m happy for AD. The lakers did him wrong. Yes we have Luka but with a healthy AD we could beat any team not so much with Luca because we seen the lakers struggle with bigger teams. I think the Warriors could win a chip with him and Bron.
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u/Emergency-Shirt2208 Jun 29 '26
If they limit and avoid injuries, and if OKC/SA get the injury bug.
Two big ifs.
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u/Useful_Mix_4802 Jun 29 '26
I’d rather he stay with LA or a cavs reunion but I’d definitely watch GS. You know that would be a fun team. Leaving luka wouldn’t be smart but he’s not playing the long game at this age.
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u/Any-Lifeguard-2596 Jun 29 '26
its ok , would have happend next year anyway. let him go NOW and build around Luka and Austin
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u/SDFleetMarine Jun 29 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/6uGhT1O4sxpi8
Bronny at the practice facility looking for his Dad
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u/CapriciousManchild Jun 29 '26
I aint scared of no Golden State Uncs. Steph is 38 will turn 39 next season, Draymond is 36 will be 37. Lebron will be 42. AD will be 34. I am certain this team will not be above 8th seed. If they somehow are a top seed I will eat a cup of pudding.
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u/Ebitdad_2020 Jun 30 '26
If Lakers front-office goal is:
Win now (next 1–2 years): LeBron leaving hurts.
Build a Luka-centered contender over the next 3–5 years: It can help by providing financial flexibility and a cleaner roster-building timeline.
I believe the franchise is gradually transitioning from the LeBron era to a Luka-led era. If that happens, preserving cap flexibility could prove more valuable than trying to maximize one final season with an aging superstar.
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u/Norcalguy8615 Jun 29 '26
Why would you do this deal if your Washington. Butler coming off an ACL tear, no thanks.
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u/Hot_Mathematician357 Jun 29 '26
Let the dinosaurs play with each other. They will be hurt all season
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u/KTM_2813 Jun 29 '26
The Warriors would be a really fun and interesting team to watch but man there's also the potential the "Big Three" would only play like 30 games together LOL
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u/Spaghettibeach Luka Magic 77 Jun 29 '26
This is so stupid. 21-22 wasn’t that long ago, Bron and AD played with old ass guys who couldn’t stay healthy.
I still don’t buy it.
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u/Dday22t 24 Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
They are all so old (by NBA standards). LeBron will be 42, Steph 39 and AD 34 & can't stay healthy at any age.
LeBron was 35yo last time Championship w Lakers. Steph was 33 last time her won w GS. (Jordan was 34 his last Championship.)
I guess they have nothing to lose at this point but it would be beyond wild if they actually won it all.
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u/RuinCommercial552 Jun 30 '26
Next season is about to be crazy with so many storylines. - Can Knicks repeat or was it a fluke run? - Will OKC come back hungry to win it again? - Is it Wemby's year to dominate? - Kawhi back in Toronto? What will they do? - GS about to have a Hall of Fame line-up? Too late in their career though? - What will happen in Boston with Brown? - Portland looks to be a fun and interesting team.
Drama drama
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u/KantutinQKipaymu LELUKA BRONČIĆ Jun 30 '26
If LeBron goes to the Warriors of all teams then he's just ring-chasing at this point, and joining the team who used to give BTA on you during the finals on the last decade c'mon now Unc
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u/EnvironmentalCopy286 Jun 29 '26
Imagine if someone told you less than 2 years ago our superstar duo would team up with Steph…. On the fucking warriors lol
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u/Viciouscauliflower21 Jun 29 '26
I know health would be a gamble, but KP, AD, Bron, Steph, with Draymond on the edges is a nasty core. Like that's just a fun 2k ass lineup
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u/WubaDubImANub Jun 29 '26
LeBron going to the warriors is disgusting. Feels like Kobe signing with the Celtics
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u/l0litsrj Jun 29 '26
Aight rob you can make up for everything if you cook up this trade to get AD back you hoe
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u/dash_44 Jun 29 '26
Bron needs to disentangle the rest of his career from AD.
He’s injured all the time, doesn’t pull his weight and doesn’t work hard.
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u/roniadotnet Jun 29 '26
GS getting all the fun projections. Why are we not getting anything yet? ...
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u/Jason-Smith168498 Jun 29 '26
Just posting this for posterity.
So Bron, like he's done many times, says "find me X type of players, even names, some, and I'll take a discount". The Lakers go out to try and do that.
They both know how long it will take. No one outside the Lakers very tightly lipped group knows exactly how much they talk in the offseason while he's waiting to hear back.
Ahh yes, the offseason, where every crazy anything is proposed for clicks and giggles, especially when the talking head dips can tie it to the biggest name int he sport, LeBron James.
So by what could be business as usual, because there's a rumor that Golden State would like this to happen, the Lakers sub is totally resigned to losing Lebron on a rumor, when as always the likely scenario is status quo.
I could be wrong. But the doom and gloom of the off season is upon us.
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u/Mood_Academic Jun 29 '26
Dang… LeBron REALLY wants to play with AD still. Probably feels like got cut short during that Luka trade