I’d be happy with Gafford or Nic

Think they all gotta go.

One week until the draft

Two weeks until free agency

and still no assistant gm

No one wants to work under Pelinka

"Kessler, the 24-year-old who was taken 22nd overall by the Jazz out of Auburn in 2022, was already known to be frustrated by Utah’s choice not to offer him an extension last summer.

And now, with the Jazz choosing to leverage the realities of restricted free agency against him as a way to minimize his market, sources say he is strongly considering the prospect of a basketball future outside Utah."

nytimes.com/athletic/7364170/2026/06/15/jazz-walker-kessler-restricted-free-agency-darryn-peterson-nba-draft

"From Utah’s perspective, however, the reality is that they already have a combined $95 million committed to big men Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. for next season alone and are clearly trying to be prudent with Kessler’s contract."

who's your top 5 for that 1st round pick.. how do the Knicks pick before us..

if I was the jazz, I would try to flip Walker for future assets

C- Jaren Jackson
F- Lauri
F- Bailey
G- George
G- Peterson

build up the chemistry with those 5..that 5 has talent and potential . one of the those bigs can go in Lauri or Walker... plus you still have Collier, Williams plus future assets...

who are good trade targets ---

obviously greek freak would be a dream but it would be tough... who are other guys who you think

Ja Morant - hoping for a bounce back. could maybe compliment Luka. Luka the shooter, Morant can guard the quick guards and someone else who can attack the rim. his stock is low. maybe playing in LA will motivate him. still only 26

Zion Williams - might cost a lot, but I think Luka and Zion would be exciting in pick and rolls. Luka could set him up with lobs all day.... I think he could thrive being the 2nd option and not the franchise player

Paolo- I doubt Magic give up on him. but he would be a welcomed skilled big

Joel Embiid - all NBA type of big but such an injury risk. getting older and expensive. could maybe ball with Luka

Lauri Markkanen - would be a sick pickup , but Danny Ainge known for being frugal

Kevin Durant - Rockets could be interested in righting a wrong and move off Durant. I MIGHT pull the trigger on an Austin Reaves trade. I could see LeBron take a paycut and try to run it with his old friend. Lebron, Durant, Luka would be interesting

Dejonte Murray - Pelicans might want to develop Fears... Murray would be interesting in a win now move

two pelican wings Herb Jones, Trey Murphy

Luka is currently in Spain for his Jordan Brand Tour

Here's a short snippet of a interview he did with Marca (translated)

marca.com/baloncesto/nba/2026/06/16/luka-doncic-lakers-madrid-hay-ganar-siempre.html

Knicks and Lakers had the same record so they flip a coin to decide who gets to choose first

The guys I really liked at the Lakers pick either went back to school or played well at the combine and are now out of the Lakers range.

I would honestly try to trade the pick in a package to get a center (ex. Kel'el Ware, Jarret Allen) or a wing (ex. Cam Johnson, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins)

If Lakers keep the pick, my top 5 players that I would get at #25 would be mainly based on team fit and immediate impact. So it would be:

1. Henri Veesar
2. Joshua Jefferson
3. Zuby Ejiofor
4. Tarris Reed Jr
5. Koa Peat

There's 2 players to look out for that some draft experts believe might fall.

1. Jayden Quaintance (elite rim protector; elite lob threat; injury prone; knee issues; type Rob Williams)

2. Dailyn Swain (elite iso scorer; elite slasher; poor 3 point shooter)

I don't see either of those two guys falling but if they do, I would take the risk and draft one of them.

I'm more excited about the second round and some guys that may go undrafted that Lakers can use a two way contract on.

I'd love crodi but I wouldn't pay more for him than Kel. I'd still be willing a pick and cap for a sign and trade

Which I would love if Utah is trying to package that pick(s) for the first pick

S*** say he wants significantly more than $28M a year 😳

"Among the clubs said to have interest in William Kyle III: Both Finals teams — New York and San Antonio — as well as Oklahoma City, Boston and the Lakers."

marcstein.substack.com/p/the-latest-nba-draft-intel-ea5

William Kyle III is expected to go in the mid-to-late second round.

If the Lakers really like him, they might have to buy a second pick.

6’9 PF/C with a 7’3 wingspan

can't believe we passed on this guy

Undersized 2 guards who best asset is scoring are whack. It’s rare they thrive in the nba. NBA team ain’t going run an offense threw them and that’s their best asset

We need to stop downplaying our draft pick. Need to draft smart and can land a young, cheap, rotation player… a guy like Walker Kessler drafted in the 20s and people want to max him and trade 4 1st rounders

I think we should try to develop Nick Smith... former first rounder. #1 player out of high school. I think he just needs a regular role

I see the roster

C: Ayton - I doubt we can do better
F: Lebron - if he comes back
F: Luka
G: Reaves
G: Smart

C: Hayes
F: Rui
F: Kennard
G: Nick Smith or Manon - give the young guys a shot. if the game calls for wing defender maybe Manon / but give Nick Smith a shot
G: ????

draft an impact rookie at C or PG. maybe both with 25 and buy another pick in the top 10 in the 2nd...

try to flip Vandy/Knecht for future assets.. Try to develop Adou. he can be a better Vandy (defending forward, hit boards, maybe he can develop jumper to be useful)