Walker Kessler will do a lot for this Lakers team, but an overlooked benefit will be his offensive rebounding Last season, the Lakers ranked 29th in OREB, t-25th in contested RPG, and were bottom 5 in 2nd chance PPG In 24-25, Kessler was #1 in ORPG (4.6), putback PPG (3.7), and contested RPG (6.6) Still some questions about if they have enough rebounding help around him, but it's a big upgrade over what they had last season IMO. They ranked bottom 8 in all 3 rebounding categories (ORPG, DRPG, TRB)

If you're worried about Quentin Grimes' 33.4% mark from 3 last season, here's why you shouldn't be - He shot a career-high 39.8% with the Mavs (39.4% in 21 gp with Luka) in 24-25 prior to being traded - Despite his 33.4% mark, he shot 41.9% on corner 3s last season - He is an elite 44.5% career corner 3pt shooter I'm not worried about Grimes at all offensively. He's going to get tons of wide open shots and he slides in well as a 3rd/4th option offensively who can attack closeouts, spot up, create for himself when needed, and finish at the rim. Between that and his chaser role on defense, he appears to be a great fit for the starting lineup IMO

Hornets took on a bad contract (Hield, 2-years, $20M) without getting draft capitol to just trade DFS. May have been a decent opportunity for the Lakers to off-load Vando's contract (2-years, $25M) for an upside replacement with DFS. We know how well he plays with Luka

Bilal Coulibaly is an interesting potential trade option for the Lakers to watch - Lakers trade relationship with Wizards - Wizards have drafted a SF/PF in each of the past 3 years (Dybantsa, Riley, George) - Is in the final year of his contract (should lower his trade price) Hasn't lived up to his lofty potential but he's still only 22, is already solid on defense with upside to be great, and despite the 31.3% career 3pt shooting mark, he is a 39.5% career corner 3pt shooter. Super athletic and would fit the Lakers desire to add a young, athletic, lanky high upside big wing Full breakdown here - youtube.com/watch?v=arbtAw2B…

Lakers updated training camp roster after signing Anton Watson to an exhibit-10 deal

Who is the Lakers best option to be their 5th starter in your eyes? (Given that Grimes starts) - Mamu offers the best offensive option but lacks foot speed on defense to guard the perimeter - Ziaire offers versatile defense with upside to be a 6'9 3&D - Thybulle is the best defender, has shot 40%+ from 3 in the past 2 years, but may not be durable enough to fill the position (45gp in past 2 seasons) The real answer is that the best option would change depending on matchup, but a starting lineup needs continuity. I can be talked into either one of Mamu or Ziaire depending on the day. Gotta wait and see on Thybulle's durability

lol

Pelinka made the right move

Lakers new assistant GM Eric Amsler's background and roles filled during his 22 years with the Heat Lakers have now made 10 new hirings to their new front office since the initial sale to Mark Walter. Amsler is Bob Iger and Josh Kushner's 1st hire and a good one at that Full breakdown here - youtube.com/watch?v=ftUMNo0x…

If you can only pick 1 to be in the Lakers rotation, who are you going with? A. Adou Thiero B. Jake Laravia C. Jarred Vanderbilt If JJ Redick only runs a 10 man rotation to start, there's a real chance that only 1 of these 3 is even a minor part of the rotation. With Thiero you get athleticism, defensive disruption, and tons of upside but with plenty of volatility, little to no 3pt shooting spacing, and lack of reliability With Laravia you're getting an inconsistent offensive player, but a solid defender who had good moments in the rotation last season With Vando you're getting the best, most proven defender of the group, but mostly an offensive liability Full breakdown here - youtube.com/watch?v=BX93WMfQ…

With the Lakers not getting Kuminga, that may give Adou Thiero an opportunity he otherwise wouldn't have gotten. There's competition at SF/PF in the Lakers rotation and Adou has the talent to get an opportunity. Between the athleticism, size, and disruption on defense, he has a combination that no one else can quite offer. However, he won't be able to stick if he can't be even somewhat of an offensive threat. Nor if he can't stay in control on either end of the court (something he's had trouble with). Regardless, there is a very clear opportunity here for Thiero and I'm really looking forward to seeing his next step. Full breakdown here - youtube.com/watch?v=fPI_-RS7…

Best bromance in sports prove me wrong lol

Kai Jones would be an interesting addition for the Lakers. He is still somehow 2-way contract eligible and may be the best C left on the open market. If they're worried about their C depth, he is an athletic, fairly proven option. Averaging 12/6/2 in FIBA qualifiers right now and coming off a 16 PT, 10 REB, 6 BLK game. Would be a lot of fun to watch his athleticism in the pick n roll game with Luka. For a 2-way, or even a camp invite there is no risk. Full breakdown here - youtube.com/watch?v=G5pNN2Jm…

5 first round picks taken is WAY more of a punishment than I thought they’d get. Wow that handicaps them big time going forward Ballmer getting suspended is also shocking

The only agent to go on a media tour after getting his client 2/13M after rejecting 3/75M a year ago Kuminga must be as delusional as he is to not have fired him yet

Ziaire Williams revealed he's now 215lbs (up from his 185lb outdated listed weight) With the Lakers looking for a starting 3/4, Ziaire may be the best fit now at 6'9, 215lb. He's a better perimeter defender than Mamu, more durable than Thybulle, and has higher upside than Laravia/Vando. The main reason for many to not start him was his thin frame for defending big wings, but if he truly did get stronger, than he really may be their best option. Ziaire averaged 1.4 SPG last season and ranked in the 78th% in DDPM (+0.5). Shot only 34.3% from 3 but did make 43% of his wide open 3's Full breakdown here - youtube.com/watch?v=R63xo77b…

Want a volatile, freak athlete former 1st round pick that is still somehow 2-way contract eligible? You got two options with Cam Whitmore & Kai Jones I say make an expansion team now and let them run wild on the break for highlight purposes All joking aside, it would be fun to see them get picked up by a team, maybe the Lakers given their desire to add a big wing and/or a backup big.

Cam Whitmore officially waived. Will be interesting to see if the Lakers show interest given how hard they went after a high upside, athletic, but volatile young wing like Kuminga Lakers currently have 16 players under guaranteed contracts, so it would create a roster crunch