OKC coming off a chip, Denver reloaded, Rockets added KD, Wolves resigned Naz/Randle, Clippers' 2nd season in the Inuit Dome.

We locked Luka in long-term, Bron’s running it back in Year 23, and the front office actually fixed our biggest holes. Ayton finally gives us a real center presence, Smart brings toughness, and Luka came into camp in the best shape of his career.

JJ’s got real lineup options now instead of patchwork rotations. I believe that more options are now available to JJ with the moves we've made.

  • Don't have to run that ultra small ball "Rui DFS LeBron" line up anymore.
  • JJ can utilize and trial Smart for different minutes and positions between Rui/AR. Have the option to start Smart if he wants.
  • If LaRavia proves that he doesn't have any defensive limitations, he could prove to be a solid scoring option off our bench without the defensive downside typically associated with players in his role.
  • No longer limited to just Hayes and center, and JJ doesn't need to rely on a small-ball lineup.
  • Maxi can give JJ different looks at the center position off the bench if he's 70% of pre-injury Maxi. Won't play every night, but I like that option.
  • Bronny and Knetch are decent for 11-12 spots.
  • Rob actually made moves to address the Lakers' needs and kept everything possible open for a mid-season trade or investment in the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 offseasons.
  • You can probably think of more upside than downsides compared to us last season.

If we stay healthy and the pieces click, this team is legit.

20 comments

  2. **Because my Lakers do not buckle or yield when faced with the cruelty of this league!** **My Lakers push forward!** **My Lakers scream out!** **My Lakers RAAAAAGE!**”

  3. Health provided the sky’s the limit. Would like to flesh out the roster a bit, but we look good and hungry.

    Laravia was about a net even on defense last year. Turns 24, still a young guy. At nearly 6’7 and 6’10 wingpsan, he could be an x factor for us.

    Ayton: a net positive last year on defence. While not a defensive anchor like AD. He is someone who compliments our current roster. His strengths of interior defense and rebounding are what we were sorely lacking pre – or post AD honestly.

    Smart: Still elite defensively and makes a lot of right plays. Is a little older but is only 3 years removed from a dpoy. He should be a menace for us. 6’2 and 6’9 wingspan, lmao.

    Our overall health, defence, and size were lacking post AD. We lost DFS as well but have made up the difference and then sum IMHO. Feels like we still need a trade, but the roster does look pretty good as of now.

  4. so we are at that stage of the offseason now. I see one of these posts every offseason but it is very true so lfg.

  6. I want to see them abuse the Luka and bron pick and roll, just make teams play 3v4 scrambling the entire game to cover the open man. 

    We definitely can win it all. Our defense wasn’t even the issue in the playoffs vs wolves 

  7. 2019 Vibes from this team. I think they’ll exceed expectations and win it all. Luka’s going for the super fecta.

    Regular Season MVP
    WCF MVP
    Finals MVP
    2025-2026 NBA Title

  14. Ngl I wish but the roster just isn’t there right now. Not impossible if we make some good trades later on in the season but if we have the same roster in the playoffs we won’t be good enough. Probably another 1st/maybe 2nd round exit. We need some real difference makers off the bench

  15. Ayton (Lob Threat) – Kleber (Stretch Big) – Jax (Energy)

    Rui (Spot 3) – Vando (Wing Def) – LaRavia

    LBJ – Knecht – Thiero

    AR (playmaker) – Smart (POA Def)

    Luka – Gabe (POA Def) – Bronny

  16. There’s a version of this on every competitive teams nba sub Reddit. I’ll take the optimism. However not based in reality it is

  20. We have a puncher’s chance. If we have a too 3 off and a top 10ish Def we can compete. We need a lot of luck and for stronger teams to get knocked out but it’s not crazy.

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