JJ Redick on changing his starting 5: I want consistency with that group, but I'm not going to be stubborn and locked into something if it's not working. But it's working right now and DFS is a guy that can fit in very easily with any lineup and any sort of roster."

H/T @mcten pic.twitter.com/QI4XHJ7u0v

— Washed LakersvsHaters (@notlakersgm) December 31, 2024

I dig it.

Has always been the plan, not sure what made anyone think otherwise. BS tweet news and amateur body language analysis, I guess…?

ALL LAKERS NEED TO WIN #18:

1. Myles Turner
2. Walker Kessler
3. Robert Williams III pic.twitter.com/u8CWI5PQKX

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 30, 2024

Quick thought . It's possible Lakers have a wink nod with Nets to see who they get in return up front from say OKC whos interested in Cam Johnson. So that's something Lakers or say a 3rd team can jump in to help Lakers get players from other team.

— Lakr4lyfe1 (@Lakr4lyfe1) December 30, 2024

LA can acquire Kessler and aim to keep his 29 MPG where it is (and AD at his 35).

13 MPG of Kessler only
16 MPG of Kessler + AD
19 MPG of AD only

That gets you 48 minutes of AD and/or Kessler coverage. https://t.co/4MSM87rkro

— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) December 30, 2024

Lakers situation with Walker Kessler.
(Via @AnthonyIrwinLA)#LakeShow

“[S]ources say the Lakers and Jazz got fairly close to a deal over the summer, but talks this year have been pretty inconsistent. One issue Utah has pointed to is that sending Kessler to pair with Davis would… pic.twitter.com/0CjrRqH5JR

— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) December 31, 2024

Not coming this season, if at all, not sure why so much breath is wasted on this.

Trading for Turner would give Lakers starting center to unleash Anthony Davis to roam on offense & defense.

Post-trade Roster:

PG: REAVES, Vincent, Olivari
SG: CHRISTIE, Milton, James Jr.
SF: JAMES, Knecht, Vanderbilt
PF: DAVIS, Finney-Smith, Wood
CE: TURNER, Koloko, Hayes https://t.co/qI7Vb6gwda pic.twitter.com/WcZPtadhMj

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 30, 2024

Turner has been a target for a while. It would be great to offer the defensive stalwart that has slipped under the radar….Jared “The Vandolorian” Vanderbilt….& to keep Hachimura, who has nights he can get 20 points…unlike some defensive players.

Still need a Foxxy-Like, I think?

Tommy so high off a pet project coming to LA, he thinks they’re all on the way. We’re a couple weeks away from the return of Willie Cauley Stein news!

Celebrating the King’s birthday with his Top 40 dunks as a Laker 👑 pic.twitter.com/SQiSkeGC2T

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 30, 2024

BIG 4️⃣0️⃣, Happy Birthday @kingjames 👑 pic.twitter.com/S54qw1rvqV

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 30, 2024

One of the greatest to ever do it… and still going strong.

Happy 40th Birthday, @KingJames! #NBABDAY pic.twitter.com/Ragf39nHZU

— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2024

This is key to season. Lakers finally targeting RIGHT PLAYERS, guys who can help LeBron and AD right now and still be here in 5 years for JJ when James is gone.

That means a young center who can complement AD and the player who fits that description is Jazz' Walker Kessler. https://t.co/cOAQACxk5j

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 30, 2024

Kessler comes to the Lakers and be in starting 5 with my boy anthony davis the league better get scared 😱 pic.twitter.com/NfZRLbWGMe

— Lakers Illuminati dynasty 2.0 (@WorldwideLakers) December 30, 2024

RIGHT PLAYERS or BEST DEAL?
That's always been Rob Pelinka's problem. Never realized that targeting RIGHT PLAYERS is more important than winning the deal.
WALKER KESSLER is RIGHT PLAYER for Lakers. pic.twitter.com/feLMi9wcMB

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 30, 2024

Oh man. More “Nancy Drew” level reporting? Tuning into what these talkin heads have to say is a waste of everyone’s precious time.

Here's the trade for Kessler and Sexton to replace Hayes and Christie in Lakers rotation:

Lakers get:
-Walker Kessler
-Collin Sexton

Jazz get:
-Gabe Vincent
-Max Christie
-Jalen Hood-Schifino
-Jaxson Hayes
-2029 FRP Unp
-2027 Remove Protection
-2031 FRP Unp pic.twitter.com/bMDqbhD6Ge

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 30, 2024

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING D’LO

LAKER NATION WILL ALWAYS 💜 YOU pic.twitter.com/V3wi4tTurW

— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) December 29, 2024

For those suggesting the Brooklyn Nets and D’Angelo Russell could consider a buyout, I’m told that’s not the case. DLo will come to Brooklyn for his second stint with the Nets after becoming an All-Star with the organization in 2019. Russell is on an expiring $18.69 million deal. https://t.co/Xg0XmQ19mH

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) December 29, 2024

Per a source, Austin’s play since Max stepped into the starting group and Gabe’s recent stretch made the Lakers comfortable moving on from Russell now.

Getting DFS for no firsts allows for further moves too. Lakers will remain active.

— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) December 29, 2024

Thank you for everything, @Dloading 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/tBlSSaHwLI

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 29, 2024

Lakers trade D'Angelo Russell to Nets in 4-player deal – ESPN https://t.co/QGlK5Rwpzs

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 29, 2024

Welcome to the #LakeShow, Dorian Finney-Smith! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ugNVW6VgYu

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 29, 2024

The newest Laker, per @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/XfiVgsVgjL

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2024

Only a few people know how close MEM-BRK were to a Finney-Smith deal, but keeping a player who would 100 percent help the Grizzlies from going to a team ahead of the Lakers in the standings is a nice little bonus, too.

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 29, 2024

I’d rather start DFS over Rui and have Rui be our sixth man. He can get more shots and opportunities without sharing the floor with AR/Bron/AD

— 🅿️erSources CEO | Rob Pelinka Hate Account (@LakeShowSeason) December 29, 2024

Per a source, Austin’s play since Max stepped into the starting group and Gabe’s recent stretch made the Lakers comfortable moving on from Russell now.

Getting DFS for no firsts allows for further moves too. Lakers will remain active.

— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) December 29, 2024

Dorian Finney-Smith has been a quality 3&D player this season

His 2025 BBall Index grades:
Perimeter Isolation Defense: A
Ball Screen Navigation: A
C&S 3PT Shot Making: A https://t.co/H9wGqNjAp8

— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) December 29, 2024

Quick thoughts on the DFS to LA trade:
— Love the fit of DFS. He’s a player the Lakers have coveted for years.
— He adds a level of toughness they badly need.
— He immediately becomes their second-best (heathy) frontcourt defender behind AD.
— The price was fair. They still have…

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) December 29, 2024

This trade sounds good. Now that some pieces are moving….any thoughts about trading Vanderbilt, JHS, Wood or Hayes, one of those two, and ONE first round pick for a big??? I would’ve mentioned Gabe Vincent 2 weeks ago, but it looks like he is getting back into a needed role. And Reaves, Knecht and Hachimura are off limits in my opinion. Any thoughts about Dennis Smith Jr??? Lonnie Walker IV???

Yesterday we were all pining for a move, as soon as the show ended I saw that Memphis seemed to have locked DFS down in a trade of their own. Looks like Rob got off the pot and made a big, smart move.

jeannie will like, saved her $15 mil over 3 years and $3ish mil this season. Coach JJ will like it, been clamoring for rangy, versatile players since he took the job. LeBron and AD will like, gives them another shooter and defender we lack with Vando being out.

Solid move.

Anthony Davis becomes the first player in Lakers history to record:

35+ PTS
15+ REB
5+ AST
75%+ FG

In a single game. pic.twitter.com/X364KksE0I

— ADmuse (@AD3muse) December 29, 2024

AD IS 4-0 VS. SABONIS THIS SEASON:

36 POINTS
15 REBOUNDS
8 ASSISTS
12/16 FG

GOT HIS LICK BACK. 😤 (via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/agWrZfpHRV

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 29, 2024

Austin Reaves tonight:

26 PTS
6 REB
16 AST (career-high)

Joins Magic and LeBron as the only Lakers to post those numbers in a game. pic.twitter.com/r2PvRzkmhr

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 29, 2024

Lakers through 31 games:

JJ Redick: 18-13 (5 games over .500)
Darvin Ham: 16-15 (1 game over .500)

In case any media outlets were wondering 🤝 pic.twitter.com/krhXDEigJT

— GoldenKnight (@GoldenKnightGFX) December 29, 2024

Austin Reaves DROPS 26 PTS, 16 AST, 6 REB as Lakers BEAT the Kings 132-122 🤯🔥🔥

RIGHT AFTER DROPPING A TRIPLE DOUBLE pic.twitter.com/Ax76EVcx6p

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) December 29, 2024

DALTON KNECHT TONIGHT
🛜 33 minutes
🛜 18 points
🛜 2 rebounds
🛜 6/10 FG
🛜 +9 +/-

THE ROOK STEPPED UP BIG ♟️ pic.twitter.com/BpE83VYuJX

— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) December 29, 2024

JJ: "Austin is vital to us being able to touch the paint. He was big time tonight." pic.twitter.com/CNTsdc7IXu

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 29, 2024

THE LAKERS COMPLETE THE SEASON SWEEP AGAINST THE KINGS 😈🧹 pic.twitter.com/igS53RovXi

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) December 29, 2024

This is the team that had been dominating us for the past few years. It’s great to see the tables finally turn in our favor!

In the now and a few years down the road plan…I feel this trade is a NO. Trading away the 3 players is trading away the NOW. Lebron’s longevity and Davis’ tendency to pick up injuries projects to disaster when they are both unavailable and team is reliant on one point guard, as good as Fox is for the most part.

Toss in Sabby and ya got a deal. As much as I like Foxxy, too much. Keep AR!