It’s an opportunity the Lakers can’t pass up on, whatever the ramifications. The franchise gives up two unprotected firsts and its third-best player (Reaves) for Curry. It’s an all-in move with two former rivals in the latter days of their careers, James (39) and Curry (36), showing how well they can play together in Paris.

With the two firsts, the Lakers have nothing left for future deals, with their 2025 going to the Atlanta Hawks (via the New Orleans Pelicans) and 2027 to the Utah Jazz (top-four-protected)—though it can offer pick swaps in 2026, 2028 and 2030 (if they can keep them out of this multi-team theoretical).

The Lakers keep Davis, Knecht (No. 17 in June’s draft) and Bronny James (No. 55) but little else outside of Jarred Vanderbilt, second-year wing Maxwell Lewis, recently re-signed Max Christie and two minimum players (Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish).

The team does add some help with Sharpe (a young center who is extension-eligible before the season or a restricted free agent next summer). Moore may help as a backup wing but is primarily in the deal to help the numbers work for Detroit.

Los Angeles would sign two veterans at the minimum to get to the required 14 regular contracts, perhaps targeting Cedi Osman, Markelle Fultz, Justin Holiday and Dennis Smith Jr.

The lack of depth means the Lakers need good fortune with health and for young players like Christie, Knecht and Sharpe to perform at a high level. And flexibility next season will be marginal, with just the minimum to offer as a team above the second apron—something the team has been clear it will avoid, save for an opportunity like this one.

James can, if willing, opt out of his contract next year (at $52.6 million) to re-sign at a lower figure, enabling some potential flexibility.