Offseason Thread

[Who]

Up until Saturday, the Lakers can offer Finney-Smith a three-year extension worth $54 million, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.

From Between Sunday and Monday, L.A. can offer him a four-year extension worth $90.2 million -- with his player option being replaced with a new salary.

If Finney-Smith opted in for $15.4 million for next season, he'd be eligible to sign a four-year deal worth $96.5 million, assuming he signs after July 6 when the free agent moratorium is lifted.

A source familiar with the talks told ESPN that while Finney-Smith has interest in returning to L.A., he could look elsewhere for a multiyear deal if the only way to stay with the Lakers is to opt into his deal.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45598239/nba-offseason-2025-hearing-luka-lebron-los-angeles-lakers-offseason

That would be a huge loss for LA. He is their 4th or 5th best player. They key perimeter defender responsible for hiding Luka / LeBron / A Reaves (at least as much as one can do so). A two way wing with the quickness to defend guards. Hard to replace.

The only mechanism the Lakers are projected to have in free agency is the taxpayer midlevel exception, worth $5.7 million

If DFS did leave, they would get access to the full MLE at $14.1mil starting salary.

On the trade market, Dalton Knecht and the Lakers' 2031 first-rounder will continue to be positive assets the Lakers can include in offers, as well as the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura ($18.3 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) as Pelinka searches for a center.

Pelinka indicated that Reaves would not be traded when asked about the team's core after the season.

"The level of confidence in Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Luca Doncic is at an all-time high still," Pelinka said. "I think those three guys have incredible promise playing together. And we will collectively do a better job to make sure they're surrounded with the right pieces to have ultimate success."

Pelinka also said he saw Theiro as an OG Anunoby type.

-----------

With the salaries that are going out now, I'd say DFS is comfortably a $25-30mil player. Lack of teams with cap space though. Brooklyn are the team that traded him away. So maybe the odds of DFS leaving LAL are actually very low.

I hope he gets a good payday. I love the way he plays. Great glue guy.

Naz Reid just resigned for 5yr/125M so 25-30M per year for DFS seems high to me.  Going that high would have the Lakers at the 2nd apron.

You think Naz Reid is more valuable than DFS?

I would chose DFS than Naz. DFS is a proper two-way player and elite 3+D guy. Naz is a dodgy defender but a more dynamic offensive player who can create mismatches. Both are role players. I'd rather have the two-way guy who does nothing but add value to my team on both ends of the floor rather than Naz who will add offensive value but harm my defense.

[Who]

OKC trades Dillon Jones to Washington for Colby Jones and then waived the later whose contract was non-guaranteed.  They had to dump someone as they were at 16 players and only 15 roster spots.

OKC also extends Jaylin Williams for 3yr/24M.

That Jaylin Williams contract is a steal. Like Pritchard's deal is a steal. Daylight robbery.

I'd love to have Jaylin Williams here as a long term replacement for Al Horford. Tough physical defensive big man. Love his one-on-one defense at center. Solid team defener as well. Solid mobility for a center. Not as quick as Horford and not as good defensively at PF as Horford as a result. Jaylin can play some PF but not as much as Horford could. Jaylin can shoot the three (39% for his career, 3 years). He can pass the ball well (2.6apg to 0.7 turnovers in only 16.8mpg). Very nice offensive game for a role playing big man. Under-rated well-rounded big man.

[No Nickname]

Sebastian Telfair sentenced to prison...

In a hearing on Thursday, Telfair, told Judge Caproni that ?a lot of things? were ?stacked against? him, and that he sometimes gets ?stuck in the mud.? Telfair apologized and acknowledged he missed appointments with his probation officer. But he insisted he was trying to improve as a person, including by partaking in training so he could land a job in construction.

Caproni wasn?t persuaded, saying Telfair had done ?absolutely nothing? to get a job. She bluntly told him, ?You thumbed your nose at your probation officer and me over and over.? The judge, Law360 noted, also said Telfair had only submitted small dollar amounts in restitution and still owes a sizable figure.

https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2025/sebastian-telfair-health-care-fraud-1234858403/

[Jiri Welsch]

Sebastian Telfair sentenced to prison...

In a hearing on Thursday, Telfair, told Judge Caproni that ?a lot of things? were ?stacked against? him, and that he sometimes gets ?stuck in the mud.? Telfair apologized and acknowledged he missed appointments with his probation officer. But he insisted he was trying to improve as a person, including by partaking in training so he could land a job in construction.

Caproni wasn?t persuaded, saying Telfair had done ?absolutely nothing? to get a job. She bluntly told him, ?You thumbed your nose at your probation officer and me over and over.? The judge, Law360 noted, also said Telfair had only submitted small dollar amounts in restitution and still owes a sizable figure.

https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2025/sebastian-telfair-health-care-fraud-1234858403/

The Offseason news thread really expanding its scope.

[Who]

Sebastian Telfair sentenced to prison...

In a hearing on Thursday, Telfair, told Judge Caproni that ?a lot of things? were ?stacked against? him, and that he sometimes gets ?stuck in the mud.? Telfair apologized and acknowledged he missed appointments with his probation officer. But he insisted he was trying to improve as a person, including by partaking in training so he could land a job in construction.

Caproni wasn?t persuaded, saying Telfair had done ?absolutely nothing? to get a job. She bluntly told him, ?You thumbed your nose at your probation officer and me over and over.? The judge, Law360 noted, also said Telfair had only submitted small dollar amounts in restitution and still owes a sizable figure.

https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2025/sebastian-telfair-health-care-fraud-1234858403/

Jeez. What happened to all his money? He earned a lot. He had big endorsements on top of his NBA salary.

Working construction?

I saw him doing some NBA media about a month ago. He was great on camera. Likable guy. Lot of charisma. Shocking he cannot make money - big money - doing that. I expect he still has a good following on social media. Another way for him to make money.

Sounds like he cannot manage his life well enough to get anything going. Couldn't even make appointments with the probation officer. Overlooked all media / social media opportunities. Went for other work but made little attempt to follow through on it.

Article said he owes $358k from fraudalent health care claims.

Surely he has a house or something like that which he owns that he could have sold to pay off the debt. He has nothing left!? Wow.

[Who]

Shams Charania: The Houston Rockets intend to sign their free agents Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green on new contracts to bring them all back for next season, sources tell ESPN.

Jae'Sean Tate would be a good 3rd string defensive PF for the Celtics. Sort of an apples to oranges with G Niang. All offense no defense vs all defense no offense.

I thought Tate would be a good replacement for Oshae Brissett.

[Phantom255x]

DFS declined his player option

Also, I find it kinda funny that Lebron opted into his deal and his agent is like "yeah he took the 52M player option but he understands this team isn't really a force and is looking more towards the future than actually winning it all" 

So much for being a team guy. All this talk and rumors of him taking a paycut to help build the roster around him and Luka. Nope.

[tazzmaniac]

OKC trades Dillon Jones to Washington for Colby Jones and then waived the later whose contract was non-guaranteed.  They had to dump someone as they were at 16 players and only 15 roster spots.

OKC also extends Jaylin Williams for 3yr/24M.

That Jaylin Williams contract is a steal. Like Pritchard's deal is a steal. Daylight robbery.

I'd love to have Jaylin Williams here as a long term replacement for Al Horford. Tough physical defensive big man. Love his one-on-one defense at center. Solid team defener as well. Solid mobility for a center. Not as quick as Horford and not as good defensively at PF as Horford as a result. Jaylin can play some PF but not as much as Horford could. Jaylin can shoot the three (39% for his career, 3 years). He can pass the ball well (2.6apg to 0.7 turnovers in only 16.8mpg). Very nice offensive game for a role playing big man. Under-rated well-rounded big man.

I'm surprised he agreed to it.  He'd be a free agent after next season and there should be a lot more teams with cap space.  Maybe the 3rd year is a player option.  OKC will probably lose Hartenstein after next season so Williams would be able to put up bigger numbers to set himself up for free agency.  Of course, there is also a chance that Sorber comes in and is a stud and takes Hartenstein's time instead. 

[Celtics2021]

Duncan Robinson opted out of $20 million next season.  Time will tell whether his agent miscalculated or whether Hauser?s 4-year deal is a total steal.

[Surferdad]

OKC trades Dillon Jones to Washington for Colby Jones and then waived the later whose contract was non-guaranteed.  They had to dump someone as they were at 16 players and only 15 roster spots.

OKC also extends Jaylin Williams for 3yr/24M.

That Jaylin Williams contract is a steal. Like Pritchard's deal is a steal. Daylight robbery.

I'd love to have Jaylin Williams here as a long term replacement for Al Horford. Tough physical defensive big man. Love his one-on-one defense at center. Solid team defener as well. Solid mobility for a center. Not as quick as Horford and not as good defensively at PF as Horford as a result. Jaylin can play some PF but not as much as Horford could. Jaylin can shoot the three (39% for his career, 3 years). He can pass the ball well (2.6apg to 0.7 turnovers in only 16.8mpg). Very nice offensive game for a role playing big man. Under-rated well-rounded big man.

I'm surprised he agreed to it.  He'd be a free agent after next season and there should be a lot more teams with cap space.  Maybe the 3rd year is a player option.  OKC will probably lose Hartenstein after next season so Williams would be able to put up bigger numbers to set himself up for free agency.  Of course, there is also a chance that Sorber comes in and is a stud and takes Hartenstein's time instead.

That Jaylin Williams deal is a shocker. Here is a guy who was arguably a key part of their championship run, scores 40 in a Finals game, but is only worth what George Niang is making? I think we are missing something.

[Neurotic Guy]

OKC trades Dillon Jones to Washington for Colby Jones and then waived the later whose contract was non-guaranteed.  They had to dump someone as they were at 16 players and only 15 roster spots.

OKC also extends Jaylin Williams for 3yr/24M.

That Jaylin Williams contract is a steal. Like Pritchard's deal is a steal. Daylight robbery.

I'd love to have Jaylin Williams here as a long term replacement for Al Horford. Tough physical defensive big man. Love his one-on-one defense at center. Solid team defener as well. Solid mobility for a center. Not as quick as Horford and not as good defensively at PF as Horford as a result. Jaylin can play some PF but not as much as Horford could. Jaylin can shoot the three (39% for his career, 3 years). He can pass the ball well (2.6apg to 0.7 turnovers in only 16.8mpg). Very nice offensive game for a role playing big man. Under-rated well-rounded big man.

I'm surprised he agreed to it.  He'd be a free agent after next season and there should be a lot more teams with cap space.  Maybe the 3rd year is a player option.  OKC will probably lose Hartenstein after next season so Williams would be able to put up bigger numbers to set himself up for free agency.  Of course, there is also a chance that Sorber comes in and is a stud and takes Hartenstein's time instead.

That Jaylin Williams deal is a shocker. Here is a guy who was arguably a key part of their championship run, scores 40 in a Finals game, but is only worth what George Niang is making? I think we are missing something.

Does that establish the market for Luke and Al?

[Moranis]

Guys that is Jaylin Williams not Jalen Williams.

[Who]

Duncan Robinson opted out of $20 million next season.  Time will tell whether his agent miscalculated or whether Hauser?s 4-year deal is a total steal.

Maybe he gets the Full MLE from someone. That is what - $14.1m starting salary. Probably $60mil over 4 years. I imagine he is looking for that long term security over the higher 1yr payday.

Risky though. He could easily come away with less.

I'd say Merrill's 4yr $38mil is his floor. So that would be D Robinson's 1yr $20mil + 3yrs for $18mil ($6mil per). Probably better sticking with the one year contract if he can't get that Full MLE.

Edit: D Robinson just turned 31 years old. This will probably be his last big deal if he can get that 4yr contract.

[GetLucky]

OKC trades Dillon Jones to Washington for Colby Jones and then waived the later whose contract was non-guaranteed.  They had to dump someone as they were at 16 players and only 15 roster spots.

OKC also extends Jaylin Williams for 3yr/24M.

That Jaylin Williams contract is a steal. Like Pritchard's deal is a steal. Daylight robbery.

I'd love to have Jaylin Williams here as a long term replacement for Al Horford. Tough physical defensive big man. Love his one-on-one defense at center. Solid team defener as well. Solid mobility for a center. Not as quick as Horford and not as good defensively at PF as Horford as a result. Jaylin can play some PF but not as much as Horford could. Jaylin can shoot the three (39% for his career, 3 years). He can pass the ball well (2.6apg to 0.7 turnovers in only 16.8mpg). Very nice offensive game for a role playing big man. Under-rated well-rounded big man.

I'm surprised he agreed to it.  He'd be a free agent after next season and there should be a lot more teams with cap space.  Maybe the 3rd year is a player option.  OKC will probably lose Hartenstein after next season so Williams would be able to put up bigger numbers to set himself up for free agency.  Of course, there is also a chance that Sorber comes in and is a stud and takes Hartenstein's time instead.

That Jaylin Williams deal is a shocker. Here is a guy who was arguably a key part of their championship run, scores 40 in a Finals game, but is only worth what George Niang is making? I think we are missing something.

You are mixing up Jaylin Williams with Jalen Williams.

[Birdman]

Malik Beasley being investigated for gambling on NBA games, there?s goes his career