{"id":124397,"date":"2026-07-02T15:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T15:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/lakers-fans-have-every-reason-to-be-outraged-by-latest-trade-twist\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T15:00:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T15:00:03","slug":"lakers-fans-have-every-reason-to-be-outraged-by-latest-trade-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/lakers-fans-have-every-reason-to-be-outraged-by-latest-trade-twist\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers fans have every reason to be outraged by latest trade twist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div on-document:qinit=\"q-FyHJI7NO.js#_hW[0]\" q:key=\"QW_9\" q:id=\"9u\"><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=9v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>NBA free agency<a href=\"https:\/\/hoopshabit.com\/lebron-james-exit-can-only-mean-one-thing-for-the-lakers-01kwdwyqsg9n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> hasn&#39;t gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> just yet, who just suffered a stinging loss that should frustrate fans. Back in February, the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick for Luke Kennard. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=9w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9x\">NBA free agency<a href=\"https:\/\/hoopshabit.com\/lebron-james-exit-can-only-mean-one-thing-for-the-lakers-01kwdwyqsg9n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> hasn&#8217;t gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> just yet, who just suffered a stinging loss that should frustrate fans. Back in February, the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick for Luke Kennard. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=9y q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>His hot shooting helped them in the playoffs, and he was expected to be re-signed. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, he just signed with the Phoenix Suns on a cheap, 2-year, $13 million deal.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=9z q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a0\">His hot shooting helped them in the playoffs, and he was expected to be re-signed. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, he just signed with the Phoenix Suns on a cheap, 2-year, $13 million deal.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=a1 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Having him leave for only $6.5 million annually, a number L.A. could have matched, should infuriate fans. Especially with it marking the second time in little more than a year that the Lakers lost a free agent months after trading assets for them. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=a2 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a3\">Having him leave for only $6.5 million annually, a number L.A. could have matched, should infuriate fans. Especially with it marking the second time in little more than a year that the Lakers lost a free agent months after trading assets for them. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=a4 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>The Lakers are doing an awful job of asset management<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=a5 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a6\">The Lakers are doing an awful job of asset management<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=a7 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Lakers traded for Dorian Finney-Smith in February 2025 in a deal that resulted in them giving up three second-round picks. However, by June, he had signed with the Houston Rockets. That means that L.A. gave up four second-round picks for two rentals.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=a8 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a9\">The Lakers traded for Dorian Finney-Smith in February 2025 in a deal that resulted in them giving up three second-round picks. However, by June, he had signed with the Houston Rockets. That means that L.A. gave up four second-round picks for two rentals.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=aa q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Big deal, right? I mean it&#39;s only second-round picks. Well, the problem is that the Lakers have among the fewest remaining draft picks in the NBA, so they can afford to waste draft capital on rentals. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ab q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ac\">Big deal, right? I mean it&#8217;s only second-round picks. Well, the problem is that the Lakers have among the fewest remaining draft picks in the NBA, so they can afford to waste draft capital on rentals. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=ad q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Especially if they are unable or unwilling to re-sign those players to reasonable deals. Finney-Smith&#39;s contract was reasonable, and so was Kennard&#39;s, but the Lakers opted to let both leave. That awful decision-making that keeps coming back to bite Los Angeles.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ae q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"af\">Especially if they are unable or unwilling to re-sign those players to reasonable deals. Finney-Smith&#8217;s contract was reasonable, and so was Kennard&#8217;s, but the Lakers opted to let both leave. That awful decision-making that keeps coming back to bite Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=ag q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>The Lakers&#39; poor decision-making keeps coming back to bite them<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ah q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ai\">The Lakers&#8217; poor decision-making keeps coming back to bite them<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=aj q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>After trading their two remaining first-round picks for Walker Kessler, it makes GM Rob Pelinka&#39;s decision to essentially give away second rounds even worse.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ak q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"al\">After trading their two remaining first-round picks for Walker Kessler, it makes GM Rob Pelinka&#8217;s decision to essentially give away second rounds even worse.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=am q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Now, the Lakers have no tradeable first-round picks for the next seven years and only one remaining second. That makes the possibly of another trade ridiculously difficult.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=an q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ao\">Now, the Lakers have no tradeable first-round picks for the next seven years and only one remaining second. That makes the possibly of another trade ridiculously difficult.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=ap q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Remember, most good teams are often short on first-round picks, so they often rely on second-rounders to make trades happen. Of course, L.A. wasting those second-rounders will almost certainly come back to bite them. That&#39;s what makes their decision to waste those picks all the more puzzling.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=aq q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ar\">Remember, most good teams are often short on first-round picks, so they often rely on second-rounders to make trades happen. Of course, L.A. wasting those second-rounders will almost certainly come back to bite them. That&#8217;s what makes their decision to waste those picks all the more puzzling.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=as q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/content-enrichment-service.mmsport.minutesvc.com\/oembed?url=https:\/\/content-enrichment-service.mmsport.minutesvc.com\/properties\/307\/embeds\/01ht5ans1f9gtt7--><!--qv q:id=at q:key=jBas:mL_1--><\/p>\n<figure on-document:load=\"q-kIp3QUSr.js#s_LZBLIxdhCWU[0 1]\" q:key=\"S2_2\" q:id=\"au\"\/><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:id=av q:key=1jXG:QW_7--><!--qv q:id=aw q:key=9yVI:Ef_0--><\/p>\n<div on:click=\"q-PR6RmUkK.js#s_Ytib2zHV0Tc[0 1]\" q:key=\"WY_1\" q:id=\"ax\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=aw q:key=--><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"google-news-widget\" class=\"voltax-google-preferred-source my-5 p-4 flex items-center gap-4 rounded-lg bg-[#F0F0F0]\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-3\"><span class=\"font-group-big text-black text-[16px]\">Add us as a preferred source on <span class=\"font-bold\">Google<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><a aria-label=\"Follow hoopshabit.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=hoopshabit.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\"><span class=\"hidden pt-[1px] leading-[1.4] md:inline\">Follow<\/span><svg viewbox=\"0 0 4 8\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"h-[12px] w-[6px] md:h-[8px] md:w-[4px]\"><path d=\"M0.5 0.5L3.5 4L0.5 7.5\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hoopshabit.com\/lakers-fans-have-every-reason-outraged-latest-trade-twist?utm_source=RSS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NBA free agency hasn&#8217;t gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers just yet, who just suffered a stinging loss that should frustrate fans. Back in February, the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick for Luke Kennard. His hot shooting helped them in the playoffs, and he was expected to be re-signed. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":124398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124397"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124397"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124397\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/124398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}