JSM

@LakerTom Smith is actually 244lbs, I just need to update his weight on my graphic. He graded out as the best defender/rim protector among the 3, and while Matkovic shot more efficiently, Smith took significantly more volume (7 3pta per 36).

@JSMonYT Smith is too small, Sims can’t make threes or free throws. Matkovic looks like best shooter, dunker, and 3-point shooter of the three.

Lakers have been linked to these 3 backup centers, each with intriguing skillsets. Who's your favorite based on potential fit, price, and upside? A. Jalen Smith B. Karlo Matkovic C. Jericho Sims I'm biased toward Jalen Smith since I've wanted him on the Lakers for years, but Matkovic really is underrated. Great athlete who can protect the rim and knock down 3s. Graded out similarly to Jalen Smith in rim protection. - 94th% in Rim DFGA/100 - 87th% in DIFF% - 77th % in Def-Shot Quality Influence Full breakdown on the fit and potential trade scenarios here - youtube.com/watch?v=43guE9…

@2pac30Westside Karlo is underrated! I just worry about negotiating with the Pels. Probably ask for like 5 1st round picks or something lol

@JSMonYT Jalen Smith's my top pick. I'd be cool with Karlo though

@Yinoma2001 Main issue with that is it puts the roster up to 17. A trade for a center could offer a pathway to at least stay at 16, if not trim the roster to regular season compliant 15

If we need a backup center sign Nick Richards. Use draft capital for a starting forward instead.

@Teddy__grahamz You’re still off-loading Vando so you have to pay for that imo. Cam is a solid player despite Denver’s situation

@JSMonYT Denver will be desperate to get out of the 2nd apron so I don’t think we even have to include draft assets. This play could be better than the jk move

Not sure how the Lakers/Nuggets would feel about trading with each other, but if they would and DEN wants to get below the 2nd apron, Cam Johnson is the Lakers best "backup plan" to Kuminga - 43% 3pt shooting on 5 3pta (Rui's efficiency on 1 more 3pta per game) - Gives them another big wing - May be an opportunity to offload Vanderbilt If DEN would take Vando/Knecht + 2nd round picks for Cam Johnson that would be hard to pass up. Immediately puts DEN below the 2nd apron for more flexibility Full breakdown here - youtube.com/watch?v=vweWu4…

@HatinggTy He can in some matchups, but this would be more to give them a better backup C over Looney. Not a direct positional pivot from Kuminga

@JSMonYT Can’t play the 4

Would really like to see the Lakers trade for Jalen Smith if they don't end up getting Jonathan Kuminga - Shot 37% from 3 - Great rebounder (11.7 reb per 36 mins) - Good rim protector - Operates well in pick n roll + pop game Bulls have been notoriously cheap when paying role players (Dosumnu/White this year) and he is under an expiring contract. Would be adding a frontcourt player that fits their timeline

@bsams21 Polar bear in Texas

@JSMonYT Luka AR Thybulle Vando Kessler

Really looking forward to seeing this Lakers 5-man combo in action Luka AR Grimes Thybulle Kessler Luka and AR will have so much defensive burden taken off with these 3 surrounding them. Grimes at the POA, Thybulle on the wing and in passing lanes, and with Kessler at the rim. Not to mention 3 good to great defenders surrounding them that actually compliment them well offensively too. I could see this being a popular closing lineup choice for their team +14.5 projected net rating I discuss this lineup even more in depth here - youtube.com/watch?v=2gALQf…

@Lakersided310 Strangely enough it goes up even higher to +17 if you replace Grimes with Thybulle and Kuminga with Mamu

@JSMonYT It’s kind of weird that none of these lineups have a better projected net rating than this

LeBron's potential starting lineup fit with all 4 of GSW, MIN, CLE, and Miami Twolves (+10.7 net) - LaMelo, ANT, LBJ, JMac, Gobert Cavaliers (+12.4 net) - Harden, Spida, Mobley, LBJ, Allen Heat (+5.7 net) - Davion, Wigs, LBJ, Giannis, Bam Warriors (+2.8 net) - Curry, Butler, LBJ, Dray, Porizingis If you're curious as a Lakers fan, he has a projected +10.6 net rating with Luka, AR, Grimes, himself, and Kessler by comparison I breakdown every option and if the Lakers would've actually offered the best fit here - youtube.com/watch?v=hv1VS6…

Walker Kessler led the NBA in PPG off putbacks, ORPG, and contested RPG during the 24-25 season Imagine how many easy putbacks he's going to get with how many shots in the pick n roll game Luka/AR attempt. Luka/AR had 12 FGA per game as pick n roll ballhandlers alone in 25-26

Stoked about the Lakers officially signing Arthur Kaluma to a two-way deal He was one of the best performers in all of summer league putting up 17.3 PPG on 55% FG and 39% 3pt shooting. He also ranked #1 in HoopsHype's impact metric of all summer league players. Finally, he's a PF, the Lakers weakest position at the moment. He's not without flaws, but truly a no-brainer signing and happy it came with a guy that has been with their team for a full year now (summer league in 25', G League in 25-26, to now summer league 26'). Deserved.

Lakers updated roster post-signing Matisse Thybulle They now have 16 players under guaranteed contracts + 3 two-way contracts, making a total of 19. They are fine for now, but will have to trim it down to 15 players on their roster (not including two-ways) by the start of the season

Love the addition of Thybulle for the Lakers. Low-risk, high-reward with a veteran minimum. Thybulle only played in 45 games in the past 2 seasons combined now, but he was legit 3&D when healthy. Shot 41.1% from 3 in those 45 games with 4.2 steals per 36 mins! The on-ball defense may not be as good as it was back in 2021-2023 when he was making 2nd team all-defense, but he is still very disruptive and a more than solid all around defender. If he can play in 50+ games and maintain even close to those numbers then this will be a steal.

@MfJones33 His shot making ability should translate fine, but I do worry about his lateral quickness on defense. Size isn't an issue imo, he's a legit 6'7+ with a 7'1 wingspan and his 225lb listing is from college.

@JSMonYT SL is one thing but with the skill level difference in the NBA imo I think Kaluma would be the least effective out of all of them. He's undersized as a PF at 6'7, to slow&not enough quickness to be an effective wing.He also doesn't rebound!His skill set won't translate as of now.

Now that summer league has ended for the Lakers, who stood out to you the most? 1. Cameron Carr 17/3/1 on 42/29/73 2. Adou Thiero 14/5/3 and 2.5 stl+blk on 49/14/63 3. Arthur Kaluma 17/4/2 on 55/39/79 4. Chris Manon 13/6/2 and 2.0 stl+blk on 54/38.5/66 I think I still have to go Kaluma despite all 4 being impressive. He was consistent throughout and his efficiency was by far the best. Carr looked the part though, especially during the Cali Classic. Seems to be a day 1 rotation player Thiero got better and better throughout summer league and was turning defense into offense like crazy by the end. Manon surprised me with how efficient he was offensively. Got to his spots and even knocked down some 3s. All 4 need to be under team control ASAP (only Kaluma is not as of now).

Just realized I added Kaluma twice, here Manon's player graphic if you were looking for it lol