Do you prefer Lakers force a move now or wait for TD?

[LakersSoul]

Do you prefer Lakers force a move now (pre-season) or wait for Trade Deadline?

Personally, I like the roster continuity, adding a better supportive staff with JJ (over Ham), and seeing how we look with healthy squad of Gabe, Vando, and adding Knecht4 into the rotation with JJ’s new plays and formation. Then at trading deadline make a few moves including adding a bruising center or not at better value.

Believe Dlo will be the expiring to work around and possibly Cam Johnson and Portland’s JGrant will become a worse contract to be had for no or 1 FRP max.

[SlimShady83]

After watching so much on youtube recently, kind of tired of all the trade rumors and nothing happening hahaha

Let's wait It out for the TD - Value of players might go down, but also at same time could go up depending how they go.

Also other rumors of possible Jonas at the TD was mentioned, still need that BIG, let's see how he goes.

Don't think Rob want's to Include 2 pics In any trade?

[DanishLakerFan]

I dont think they have to rush anything tbh.

They essentially have the same roster as last year and having that continuity is going to help them a lot early in the season.

But they still have holes on their roster that needs to be adressed: a guard that can function in the playoffs, a backup 5 and a 3s/D wing - and if they can do some of that now, they should.

[stan francisco]

Do you prefer Lakers force a move now (pre-season) or wait for Trade Deadline?

Personally, I like the roster continuity, adding a better supportive staff with JJ (over Ham), and seeing how we look with healthy squad of Gabe, Vando, and adding Knecht4 into the rotation with JJ’s new plays and formation. Then at trading deadline make a few moves including adding a bruising center or not at better value.

Believe Dlo will be the expiring to work around…

I agree.

[Anderson Hunt]

Trades are like relationships. You only have control of yourself. You don't have supreme control over the other side.

It always takes two to tango.

The Lakers can't "force" anything now, nor can they "force" anything at the deadline. These things aren't completely under their control.

They should make offers now and stay aggressive and deliberate. They should stay this way up until the deadline, but you never force a relationship -- you never force a trade.

[TylersLakers]

It all depends on who's available and the cost.

If the cost for Jerami Grant is Rui and 2 1sts - I don't do that deal now, December, January 2 years ago, etc. That's an absolutely ridiculous ask considering what Portland paid to get him.

If the cost for Dorian Finney Smith is a (lightly protected) 1st round pick plus Vincent and JHS - I'd do that right now.
If the cost for Cam Johnson is a (protected) 1st round pick and Rui, JHS, Reddish - I'd do that right now.
If the cost for Wendell Carter is an unprotected 1st and Gabe Vincent - I'd do that right now.

Outside of those guys - all the other targets are off the board that I wanted to begin the off-season. Murray, Caruso, Lauri, DeMar, etc.

Who's going to be available at the deadline? Is there a star that's somewhat frustrated where a bad start would only boil that over? I can't think of anyone. I wouldn't give up the draft capital required to get Karl Towns or Gobert from Minnesota. I significantly doubt Steph becomes available. I can't think of anyone else.

The problem with our pick situation is teams think we're desperate and when they think that, they're going to want both picks almost regardless of who the player is. I think if we would have made a move earlier to deal one of those picks, we'd be able to get someone like Grant, DFS, Cam, etc with only 1 pick. But because we have both, the league is going to want both no matter how ridiculous that sounds.

[Anderson Hunt]

It all depends on who's available and the cost.

If the cost for Jerami Grant is Rui and 2 1sts - I don't do that deal now, December, January 2 years ago, etc. That's an absolutely ridiculous ask considering what Portland paid to get him.

If the cost for Dorian Finney Smith is a (lightly protected) 1st round pick plus Vincent and JHS - I'd do that right now.
If the cost for Cam Johnson is a (protected) 1st round pick and Rui, JHS, Reddish - I'd do that right now.
If the cost for Wendell Carter is an unprotected 1st and Gabe Vincent - I'd do that right now.

Outside of those guys - all the other targets are off the board that I wanted to begin the off-season. Murray, Caruso, Lauri, DeMar, etc.

Who's going to be available at the deadline? Is there a star that's somewhat frustrated where a bad start would only boil that over? I can't think of anyone. I wouldn't give up the draft capital required to get Karl Towns or Gobert from Minnesota. I significantly doubt Steph becomes available. I can't think of anyone else.

The problem with our pick situation is teams think we're desperate and when they think that, they're going to want both picks almost regardless of who the player is. I think if we would have made a move earlier to deal one of those picks, we'd be able to get someone like Grant, DFS, Cam, etc with only 1 pick. But because we have both, the league is going to want both no matter how ridiculous that sounds.

If you want to make a serious run, Tyler, you go after LaVine (Beal). This team doesn't just need role-players. This team needs an All-Star level guy. As dan has said many times, if James and Davis were as good as advertised, the team wouldn't stink.

The truth is that they're both overrated.

Davis has never been a franchise player. He doesn't have the mind state. He's an elite-level talent, but he's not a dynamic scorer.

James cannot lead a winning team in scoring anymore. He can't carry a team anymore.

Both Davis and James are elite ancillary pieces, so acquiring Cam Johnson and/or DFS won't move the needle. They need a guy who can takeover games, a guy capable of dropping 50bon any given night while not being a complete defensive sieve.

The Lakers need a guy like Simons, Beal, LaVine, Herro, Ball, or Ingram.

Anything else and they're really not that serious about catching Boston.

[SlimShady83]

They should stay this way up until the deadline, but you never force a relationship -- you never force a trade.

But I really want that girl who lives next door

[DanishLakerFan]

It all depends on who's available and the cost.

If the cost for Jerami Grant is Rui and 2 1sts - I don't do that deal now, December, January 2 years ago, etc. That's an absolutely ridiculous ask considering what Portland paid to get him.

If the cost for Dorian Finney Smith is a (lightly protected) 1st round pick plus Vincent and JHS - I'd do that right now.
If the cost for Cam Johnson is a (protected) 1st round pick and Rui, JHS, Reddish - I'd do that right now.
If the cost for Wendell Carter is an unprotected 1st and Gabe Vincent - I'd do that right now.

Outside of those guys - all the other targets are off the board that I wanted to begin the off-season. Murray, Caruso, Lauri, DeMar, etc.

Who's going to be available at the deadline? Is there a star that's somewhat frustrated where a bad start would only boil that over? I can't think of anyone. I wouldn't give up the draft capital required to get Karl Towns or Gobert from Minnesota. I significantly doubt Steph becomes available. I can't think of anyone else.

The problem with our pick situation is teams think we're desperate and when they think that, they're going to want both picks almost regardless of who the player is. I think if we would have made a move earlier to deal one of those picks, we'd be able to get someone like Grant, DFS, Cam, etc with only 1 pick. But because we have both, the league is going to want both no matter how ridiculous that sounds.

If you want to make a serious run, Tyler, you go after LaVine (Beal). This team doesn't just need role-players. This team needs an All-Star level guy. As dan has said many times, if James and Davis were as good as advertised, the team wouldn't stink.

The truth is that they're both overrated.

Davis has never been a franchise player. He doesn't have the mind state. He's an elite-level talent, but he's not a dynamic scorer.

James cannot lead a winning team in scoring anymore. He can't carry a team anymore.

Both Davis and James are elite ancillary pieces, so acquiring Cam Johnson and/or DFS won't move the needle. They need a guy who can takeover games, a guy capable of dropping 50bon any given night while not being a complete defensive sieve.

The Lakers need a guy like Simons, Beal, LaVine, Herro, Ball, or Ingram.

Anything else and they're really not that serious about catching Boston.

This is hilarious. Complete troll post. LoL

[danfantastk32]

If you want to make a serious run, Tyler, you go after LaVine (Beal). This team doesn't just need role-players. This team needs an All-Star level guy. As dan has said many times, if James and Davis were as good as advertised, the team wouldn't stink.

The truth is that they're both overrated.

Davis has never been a franchise player. He doesn't have the mind state. He's an elite-level talent, but he's not a dynamic scorer.

James cannot lead a winning team in scoring anymore. He can't carry a team anymore.

Both Davis and James are elite ancillary pieces, so acquiring Cam Johnson and/or DFS won't move the needle. They need a guy who can takeover games, a guy capable of dropping 50bon any given night while not being a complete defensive sieve.

The Lakers need a guy like Simons, Beal, LaVine, Herro, Ball, or Ingram.

Anything else and they're really not that serious about catching Boston.

This is hilarious. Complete troll post. LoL

It is? Why? Calling Davis and Lebron "overrated" has a sting to it...I get it. I think they def are overrated a little around here...but not around the rest of the world....wanna know why? Cause Vegas has us +3000 - +3500 - +4000 to win a title. We're 10th on their list.

Vegas!! You know...guys who get paid a TON of money to put all feelings aside, and purely crunch the numbers. And entire empire has been built on these guys not screwing around. They have us 10th.

Cause AD is up and down....and has injuries. And Lebron, great as he was...is now 40 (will be for the season). It's the truth! That's not me...that's serious professionals telling you the numbers. It's why I wanna break it up before its too late......this team doesn't have it! We're not some roll-player or two away. We need a major difference maker......and I'm not sure even LaVine or Beal have it. Yes...Lebron and AD are still quite the duo....but they have little to nothing around them...and at one time it didn't matter, but it sure does now.

We've been a middle of the pack team for 4 years....while Lebron aged out of that ability to go carry teams. He just can't do it anymore. Don't take my word for it.....Vegas will tell you. +3500 is about our average odds....in other words: It'll be a cold day in hell when they win.

[Kilroy]

There’s nothing to be done right now… I don’t see any moves that would move the needle enough to risk future flexibility for. I’m just waiting for LeBron to retire and hoping for a FO shakeup in the meantime.

[Landsberger]

My guess is they make a Westbrook type of move. They can't pay that price but a similar swing for that elusive 3rd wheel. I think, in their mind, the lack of progress the last 4 years is pressure on them to move. I'm sure they were rebuffed during the offseason and are regrouping to try again.

Trade deadline stuff is typically at a higher cost... and you run the risk of an injury to a guy like Russell which would take you out of the game.

[DanishLakerFan]

If you want to make a serious run, Tyler, you go after LaVine (Beal). This team doesn't just need role-players. This team needs an All-Star level guy. As dan has said many times, if James and Davis were as good as advertised, the team wouldn't stink.

The truth is that they're both overrated.

Davis has never been a franchise player. He doesn't have the mind state. He's an elite-level talent, but he's not a dynamic scorer.

James cannot lead a winning team in scoring anymore. He can't carry a team anymore.

Both Davis and James are elite ancillary pieces, so acquiring Cam Johnson and/or DFS won't move the needle. They need a guy who can takeover games, a guy capable of dropping 50bon any given night while not being a complete defensive sieve.

The Lakers need a guy like Simons, Beal, LaVine, Herro, Ball, or Ingram.

Anything else and they're really not that serious about catching Boston.

This is hilarious. Complete troll post. LoL

It is? Why? Calling Davis and Lebron "overrated" has a sting to it...I get it. I think they def are overrated a little around here...but not around the rest of the world....wanna know why? Cause Vegas has us +3000 - +3500 - +4000 to win a title. We're 10th on their list.

Vegas!! You know...guys who get paid a TON of money to put all feelings aside, and purely crunch the numbers. And entire empire has been built on these guys not screwing around. They have us 10th.

Cause AD is up and down....and has injuries. And Lebron, great as he was...is now 40 (will be for the season). It's the truth! That's not me...that's serious professionals telling you the numbers. It's why I wanna break it up before its too late......this team doesn't have it! We're not some roll-player or two away. We need a major difference maker......and I'm not sure even LaVine or Beal have it. Yes...Lebron and AD are still quite the duo....but they have little to nothing around them...and at one time it didn't matter, but it sure does now.

We've been a middle of the pack team for 4 years....while Lebron aged out of that ability to go carry teams. He just can't do it anymore. Don't take my word for it.....Vegas will tell you. +3500 is about our average odds....in other words: It'll be a cold day in hell when they win.

Having a "sting to it" with regards to people calling AD and Lebron overrated would suggest that i respect their opinion. I dont.

Suggesting Herro, Beal, LaVine or the answer to, well, anything at all tells me that it's either a troll post or a post from someone who is talking out of their rear.

[Anderson Hunt]

This is hilarious. Complete troll post. LoL

It is? Why? Calling Davis and Lebron "overrated" has a sting to it...I get it. I think they def are overrated a little around here...but not around the rest of the world....wanna know why? Cause Vegas has us +3000 - +3500 - +4000 to win a title. We're 10th on their list.

Vegas!! You know...guys who get paid a TON of money to put all feelings aside, and purely crunch the numbers. And entire empire has been built on these guys not screwing around. They have us 10th.

Cause AD is up and down....and has injuries. And Lebron, great as he was...is now 40 (will be for the season). It's the truth! That's not me...that's serious professionals telling you the numbers. It's why I wanna break it up before its too late......this team doesn't have it! We're not some roll-player or two away. We need a major difference maker......and I'm not sure even LaVine or Beal have it. Yes...Lebron and AD are still quite the duo....but they have little to nothing around them...and at one time it didn't matter, but it sure does now.

We've been a middle of the pack team for 4 years....while Lebron aged out of that ability to go carry teams. He just can't do it anymore. Don't take my word for it.....Vegas will tell you. +3500 is about our average odds....in other words: It'll be a cold day in hell when they win.

Having a "sting to it" with regards to people calling AD and Lebron overrated would suggest that i respect their opinion. I dont.

Suggesting Herro, Beal, LaVine or the answer to, well, anything at all tells me that it's either a troll post or a post from someone who is talking out of their rear.

I believe in chemistry. I believe that any basketball team can prosper when the pieces on that team fit well together. I also believe that mostly all NBA players are talented enough to contribute in the right role. For example, I used to say with great frequency that Lou Williams could've easily been a franchise scorer averaging 30 points a game if Williams had been lucky enough to play alongside a tall, defensive PG like Shaun Livingston to relieve him of point guard duties and having to guard two-guards.

Most people laughed in my face at the idea of Williams, a career 6th man, starting and averaging 30 a game as the franchise player. My thoughts were preposterous to most, but to me, it was clear as day. Lou Williams, in his prime, was a stone scorer who would score nearly 20 points a game in only 24 minutes. Was he a winning basketball player? Probably not, no, but the same can be said of one Kyrie Irving.

Before James came back to Cleveland, Irving was a loser. Those Cleveland teams before James commandeered the offense, were terrible with Irving running point, but Irving's game, his redeemable qualities, were palatable. If you could see them, you could see that, if nothing else, Irving could score, and pairing him next to a super-efficient and athletic point-forward who could relieve Irving of his decision-making/facilitating responsibilities was a match made in heaven.

Simply put, Irving next to James, like Mo Williams before him, had great potential to have great chemistry. In a vacuum, you could say Irving was a loser and an empty stats player, but in the right role, paired with the right guys around him, he had the potential to hit legendary shots down the stretch of big games. In a vacuum, Lou Williams was just a sixth man. He couldn't average thirty and lead his team to the playoffs no matter who he plays with, but in right role, surrounded by the right players, I adamantly believe he could've. We'll never know though.

Devin Booker is another one. He couldn't win a game to save his life before he played alongside his perfect compliment (Chris Paul).

Before Paul, Booker was maligned as just a scorer, and similar to Irving, almost overnight when paired with the right players around him, he instantly became a "winner".

I have no doubt that Beal, Ingram, LaVine, Simons, and to a lesser degree Herro or Clarkson would fill a huge void for this team as scorers/shooters and athletic upgrades to Russell and Reaves. On many other teams, all of these aforementioned guys might be best served as off the bench, scoring sixth men, but for this team they'd be tasked with the responsibility of averaging 24 a game, shooting 38% from deep, and playing passable defense. They'd be tasked with playing the "Irving-role", the guy next to James who is athletically and mentally capable of hitting big shots down the stretch of games when James clams up and can't.

These players could never be "answers" to you, but to me that's because you're simply not asking the proper questions.

[DanishLakerFan]

It is? Why? Calling Davis and Lebron "overrated" has a sting to it...I get it. I think they def are overrated a little around here...but not around the rest of the world....wanna know why? Cause Vegas has us +3000 - +3500 - +4000 to win a title. We're 10th on their list.

Vegas!! You know...guys who get paid a TON of money to put all feelings aside, and purely crunch the numbers. And entire empire has been built on these guys not screwing around. They have us 10th.

Cause AD is up and down....and has injuries. And Lebron, great as he was...is now 40 (will be for the season). It's the truth! That's not me...that's serious professionals telling you the numbers. It's why I wanna break it up before its too late......this team doesn't have it! We're not some roll-player or two away. We need a major difference maker......and I'm not sure even LaVine or Beal have it. Yes...Lebron and AD are still quite the duo....but they have little to nothing around them...and at one time it didn't matter, but it sure does now.

We've been a middle of the pack team for 4 years....while Lebron aged out of that ability to go carry teams. He just can't do it anymore. Don't take my word for it.....Vegas will tell you. +3500 is about our average odds....in other words: It'll be a cold day in hell when they win.

Having a "sting to it" with regards to people calling AD and Lebron overrated would suggest that i respect their opinion. I dont.

Suggesting Herro, Beal, LaVine or the answer to, well, anything at all tells me that it's either a troll post or a post from someone who is talking out of their rear.

I believe in chemistry. I believe that any basketball team can prosper when the pieces on that team fit well together. I also believe that mostly all NBA players are talented enough to contribute in the right role. For example, I used to say with great frequency that Lou Williams could've easily been a franchise scorer averaging 30 points a game if Williams had been lucky enough to play alongside a tall, defensive PG like Shaun Livingston to relieve him of point guard duties and having to guard two-guards.

Most people laughed in my face at the idea of Williams, a career 6th man, starting and averaging 30 a game as the franchise player. My thoughts were preposterous to most, but to me, it was clear as day. Lou Williams, in his prime, was a stone scorer who would score nearly 20 points a game in only 24 minutes. Was he a winning basketball player? Probably not, no, but the same can be said of one Kyrie Irving.

Before James came back to Cleveland, Irving was a loser. Those Cleveland teams before James commandeered the offense, were terrible with Irving running point, but Irving's game, his redeemable qualities, were palatable. If you could see them, you could see that, if nothing else, Irving could score, and pairing him next to a super-efficient and athletic point-forward who could relieve Irving of his decision-making/facilitating responsibilities was a match made in heaven.

Simply put, Irving next to James, like Mo Williams before him, had great potential to have great chemistry. In a vacuum, you could say Irving was a loser and an empty stats player, but in the right role, paired with the right guys around him, he had the potential to hit legendary shots down the stretch of big games. In a vacuum, Lou Williams was just a sixth man. He couldn't average thirty and lead his team to the playoffs no matter who he plays with, but in right role, surrounded by the right players, I adamantly believe he could've. We'll never know though.

Devin Booker is another one. He couldn't win a game to save his life before he played alongside his perfect compliment (Chris Paul).

Before Paul, Booker was maligned as just a scorer, and similar to Irving, almost overnight when paired with the right players around him, he instantly became a "winner".

I have no doubt that Beal, Ingram, LaVine, Simons, and to a lesser degree Herro or Clarkson would fill a huge void for this team as scorers/shooters and athletic upgrades to Russell and Reaves. On many other teams, all of these aforementioned guys might be best served as off the bench, scoring sixth men, but for this team they'd be tasked with the responsibility of averaging 24 a game, shooting 38% from deep, and playing passable defense. They'd be tasked with playing the "Irving-role", the guy next to James who is athletically and mentally capable of hitting big shots down the stretch of games when James clams up and can't.

These players could never be "answers" to you, but to me that's because you're simply not asking the proper questions.

I agree with regards to chemistry and many players put in the right roles can flouish. But having a guy that gets you 30 doesn't matter if he allow 30 on the other end, which is the story for most of the guys you suggest. In addition their contracts are expensive and very difficult to trade for w/o giving up too much.

Generelly it might take close to a decade to get two players on Lebron and AD's level through drafting/signing etc., so the best course of action is to go with what we have right now, and make sure it's possible to re-tool in 2026.

[danfantastk32]

I agree with regards to chemistry and many players put in the right roles can flouish. But having a guy that gets you 30 doesn't matter if he allow 30 on the other end, which is the story for most of the guys you suggest. In addition their contracts are expensive and very difficult to trade for w/o giving up too much.

Ok, but name me a player who Luka can't score more than 20 points on. Or that Ant-Edwards can't score 20 on. Is there a guy that Joker can't get a triple-double on? There are none. This league is so heavily skewed offensively, that the diminishing returns spent by a team on defense shows up quick. You want a guy who gives effort, and you want the team to spend some time hashing out team defense...and that's about it, these days.

Generelly it might take close to a decade to get two players on Lebron and AD's level through drafting/signing etc., so the best course of action is to go with what we have right now, and make sure it's possible to re-tool in 2026.

I'm sorry, but that's warped logic. If Lebron and AD were good enough to bring a title....that would make sense. But if they are not, then who cares how hard they are to replace....they need to be replaced.

[DanishLakerFan]

I agree with regards to chemistry and many players put in the right roles can flouish. But having a guy that gets you 30 doesn't matter if he allow 30 on the other end, which is the story for most of the guys you suggest. In addition their contracts are expensive and very difficult to trade for w/o giving up too much.

Ok, but name me a player who Luka can't score more than 20 points on. Or that Ant-Edwards can't score 20 on. Is there a guy that Joker can't get a triple-double on? There are none. This league is so heavily skewed offensively, that the diminishing returns spent by a team on defense shows up quick. You want a guy who gives effort, and you want the team to spend some time hashing out team defense...and that's about it, these days.

Generelly it might take close to a decade to get two players on Lebron and AD's level through drafting/signing etc., so the best course of action is to go with what we have right now, and make sure it's possible to re-tool in 2026.

I'm sorry, but that's warped logic. If Lebron and AD were good enough to bring a title....that would make sense. But if they are not, then who cares how hard they are to replace....they need to be replaced.

1. Luka can score 30, 40, 50 or more on any given day, but he can be close neutral on defense. Whatever LaVine scores, he often gives up just as much on the other end. You see it with all of these guys. Dame, Beal, LaVine, CJ etc. Never won anything despite having good teams around them.

2. They are good enough. Just need a few tweaks of the team. You dont need to be a top 3 favorite to try to make a run at a title.

[danfantastk32]

1. Luka can score 30, 40, 50 or more on any given day, but he can be close neutral on defense. Whatever LaVine scores, he often gives up just as much on the other end. You see it with all of these guys. Dame, Beal, LaVine, CJ etc. Never won anything despite having good teams around them.

Well it's the same with everyone. AD has big games against Joker. Joker has huge games against AD. Both have won titles...so not sure where your going with this. Giannis has won a title. So has Kawhi. So has Durrant. I don't see either of those 3 stopping anyone.

2. They are good enough. Just need a few tweaks of the team. You dont need to be a top 3 favorite to try to make a run at a title.

We are not a top-10 favorite with alot of betting sites. I don't think you'll find us better than 9th. That's not a few tweaks.

[Anderson Hunt]

Having a "sting to it" with regards to people calling AD and Lebron overrated would suggest that i respect their opinion. I dont.

Suggesting Herro, Beal, LaVine or the answer to, well, anything at all tells me that it's either a troll post or a post from someone who is talking out of their rear.

I believe in chemistry. I believe that any basketball team can prosper when the pieces on that team fit well together. I also believe that mostly all NBA players are talented enough to contribute in the right role. For example, I used to say with great frequency that Lou Williams could've easily been a franchise scorer averaging 30 points a game if Williams had been lucky enough to play alongside a tall, defensive PG like Shaun Livingston to relieve him of point guard duties and having to guard two-guards.

Most people laughed in my face at the idea of Williams, a career 6th man, starting and averaging 30 a game as the franchise player. My thoughts were preposterous to most, but to me, it was clear as day. Lou Williams, in his prime, was a stone scorer who would score nearly 20 points a game in only 24 minutes. Was he a winning basketball player? Probably not, no, but the same can be said of one Kyrie Irving.

Before James came back to Cleveland, Irving was a loser. Those Cleveland teams before James commandeered the offense, were terrible with Irving running point, but Irving's game, his redeemable qualities, were palatable. If you could see them, you could see that, if nothing else, Irving could score, and pairing him next to a super-efficient and athletic point-forward who could relieve Irving of his decision-making/facilitating responsibilities was a match made in heaven.

Simply put, Irving next to James, like Mo Williams before him, had great potential to have great chemistry. In a vacuum, you could say Irving was a loser and an empty stats player, but in the right role, paired with the right guys around him, he had the potential to hit legendary shots down the stretch of big games. In a vacuum, Lou Williams was just a sixth man. He couldn't average thirty and lead his team to the playoffs no matter who he plays with, but in right role, surrounded by the right players, I adamantly believe he could've. We'll never know though.

Devin Booker is another one. He couldn't win a game to save his life before he played alongside his perfect compliment (Chris Paul).

Before Paul, Booker was maligned as just a scorer, and similar to Irving, almost overnight when paired with the right players around him, he instantly became a "winner".

I have no doubt that Beal, Ingram, LaVine, Simons, and to a lesser degree Herro or Clarkson would fill a huge void for this team as scorers/shooters and athletic upgrades to Russell and Reaves. On many other teams, all of these aforementioned guys might be best served as off the bench, scoring sixth men, but for this team they'd be tasked with the responsibility of averaging 24 a game, shooting 38% from deep, and playing passable defense. They'd be tasked with playing the "Irving-role", the guy next to James who is athletically and mentally capable of hitting big shots down the stretch of games when James clams up and can't.

These players could never be "answers" to you, but to me that's because you're simply not asking the proper questions.

I agree with regards to chemistry and many players put in the right roles can flouish. But having a guy that gets you 30 doesn't matter if he allow 30 on the other end, which is the story for most of the guys you suggest. In addition their contracts are expensive and very difficult to trade for w/o giving up too much.

Generelly it might take close to a decade to get two players on Lebron and AD's level through drafting/signing etc., so the best course of action is to go with what we have right now, and make sure it's possible to re-tool in 2026.

To save your life, who do you want guarding Jamal Murray on an island?

Russell/Reaves or LaVine?
Russell/Reaves or Beal?
Russell/Reaves or Ingram?
Russell/Reaves or Simons?

None of the guys I mentioned are stoppers. They're simply more physically capable defenders.

I'm banking on these guys reading the room, knowing they're in a good situation to thrive, understanding they're playing with two champions with eyes on postseason success, and dedicating themselves to defense.

They all have the ability. They've just never played high stakes basketball with LeBron James. Oftentimes that's enough motivation.

And giving up Russell, Hachimura, Vanderbilt, and/or Vincent is not giving up "too much".

[Anderson Hunt]

Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker, JR Smith, Mo Williams, and many more were never plus defenders until they began to play on "meaningful" basketball teams that won games.

There are some players who can try all they want on defense, there physical limitations inhibit them becoming average defenders (reference Russell/Reaves).

Other guys are simply lazy millionaires who don't want to bother exerting themselves on defense, but they have the physical tools to turn it on when, for them, it matters (reference damn-near every semi athletic player in today's league).

These guys just need to be in winning situations, on teams, where they understand they must guard in order for the winning to flourish. The on-court presence of James is massively important in this regard. Coaches should always hold their players accountable for playing defense, but it helps when an all-time great on your team does it as well.

With winning and James' leadership, LaVine or Beal would be much better defenders on this team than they've ever been on any other team. More importantly than that, LaVine or Beal would be much better defenders than Russell and Reaves.

And that's all that matters. Is "the new guy" better on offense and defense than Russell and Reaves? To me, the answer is a resounding yes.

But, hey, if you're cool with rolling out Reaves and Russell again, two slow-footed, vertically challenged players, by all means, you have a right to your opinion.