Note: The Lakers are sending #17 in this trade & not the 2025 1st, but the machine isn’t updated since NOP still technically owns the 17th pick. Also the Lakers are signing CP3 here to a one year minimum deal, but the machine doesn’t have him listed as a FA since he technically has one fully non-guaranteed year left with GSW.
Comment Opinions Please. Are The Trades Fair? What Would You Do Differently? Don’t Forget To Check Out The Free Agency Signings, Draft Picks, & Season Goals Down Below.
Financials(Before Moves)
Cut Candidates: None
Total Salary: $178.7M(Including DLo)
Cap Space: -$37.7M
Trade Candidates: D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura, & Christian Wood
TE’s: None
FA’s: Max Christie & Taurean Prince
Targets: All Star Caliber PG & Solid Veteran Depth
New Head Coach: JJ Redick
Trades
D’Angelo Russell(S&T 3yrs $51M), Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, #17, & 2029 Top 5 Protected 1st to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland, 2025 MIL 2nd, & 2027 DEN 2nd
Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, 2025 LAC 2nd, 2025 MIL 2nd, & 2027 DEN 2nd for Jonas Valancinus(S&T 3yrs $32M) in a Three Team Trade With the Pelicans & Pistons
NBA Draft
Select PG Bronny James With #55 Pick: Projected Salary - $1.3M
Free Agency
Resign PF Taurean Prince to a One Year Contract Worth the Minimum
Sign PG Chris Paul, SG Gary Harris, SF Evan Fournier, F Cedi Osman, & PF Danilo Gallinari to One Year Contracts Worth the Minimum
Financials(After Moves)
Total Salary: $185M
Luxury Tax: $13M Over
First Apron: $6M Over
Second Apron: $5M Under
Ideal Starting Lineup:
Darius Garland, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Jared Vanderbilt, & Anthony Davis
Backup Five:
Chris Paul, Gary Harris, Evan Fournier, Taurean Prince, & Jonas Valancinus
Rest of Bench:
Bronny James, Maxwell Lewis, Cedi Osman, Danilo Gallinari, & Jaxson Hayes
2024 Season Goals
Darius Garland shines in his first season with the Lakers; averages 22, 9, & 4 on 40% shooting from deep while earning an All Star nod.
CP3 & Jonas Valancinus prove to be excellent second unit pieces, leading a Top 5 bench in the league alongside Harris, Fournier, & Prince.
The Lakers do the unthinkable & win it all, giving LeBron his 5th ring & helping him finally surpass Michael Jordan as the GOAT.