What are your opinions? Are the trades fair?
Trade #1
LAL receives: Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Schroder.
BKN recieves: D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, and a 2029 Top Ten Protected first.
Why the Lakers do it: They add two-way players. Schroder is much better in the POA than Russell and getting Finney-Smith helps their bench depth.
Why the Nets do it: Schroder is expiring and the Nets need to flip him this deadline. They get Russell, who can take over the starting PG slot along with a valuable first in 2031.
Trade #2
LAL recieves: Walker Kessler
UTA recieves: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jaxson Hayes, a 2029 Top Five Protected first, and a 2026 First Round Pick Swap.
Why the Lakers do it: Simple. JHS is gonna walk in free agency. Kessler is a big upgrade over Hayes. They give up a first and a swap, but that's fine as they want to go all in for LeBron's final years.
Why the Jazz do it: They get a first that could be something very valuable down the line. AD isn't getting younger and LeBron will likely be retired in 2029.
Next Moves to Make
Sign Dennis Smith Jr. to the minimum.
Rotation
Starters: Schroder, Reaves, Hachimura, LeBron, and AD.
Bench: Smith, Christie, Finney-Smith, Vanderbilt, and Kessler.
Third Stringers: Bronny, Reddish, Knecht, Lewis, and Wood.