The LeBron James All-NBA (2nd) and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread

[zimpy27]

Which front court duo would you rather have: Vando/Vuc or Rui/RW3?

I think Vando/Vuc has a higher regular season floor but Rui/RW3 has a higher playoff ceiling. RW3 is definitely a big risk, though.

I hoping another wing shakes loose, maybe Wiggins or Hunter. Rui for one of them and then Vando/Reddish/pick swap for RW3 would satisfy me.

Well it depends on what perimeter defenders you have.
Right now the only players that I'd trust guarding perimeter guards are Christie, Vando, Reddish, Vincent.

I think Vando+Vuc is better in the playoffs as well because of existing roster limitations at guard.

[nzahir]

Which front court duo would you rather have: Vando/Vuc or Rui/RW3?

I think Vando/Vuc has a higher regular season floor but Rui/RW3 has a higher playoff ceiling. RW3 is definitely a big risk, though.

I hoping another wing shakes loose, maybe Wiggins or Hunter. Rui for one of them and then Vando/Reddish/pick swap for RW3 would satisfy me.

Honestly not sure what the correct move is, need someone who is more in depth with the data and film to make that decision

If we are going with an offensice minded C, then its clear you keep Vando

If you go with a more defensive minded C, especially a mobile one, then you want to keep Rui

The one reason an offensive minded C is nice is that you cant just put your forward on the C and not get punished. For example if we play Denver and Jokic wants to stay on AD, then Denver has to either put Gordon on Vuc and let Lebron attack MPJ in pick and rolls and post ups or they can put Gordon on Bron but have to live with MPJ on Vuc in the paint and he is too slim for that

Vuc is also a solid rebounder so if AD is dragged outside to defend, we can at least grab some boards better than with Rui

I like Myles Turner, but I dont think he will punish teams for putting their 4 on him, also not an elite rebounder

Kessler and RW3 are good to even great defenders, can be a vertical threat, and can pound you on the offensive glass

I am good with either choice, but really just depends what the asking prices are ofc and what the next move is available after

Remember we still need a 3rd playmaker

[trickshot]

With Vando back Rob might actually have built something relatively okay if he didn't overcommit to Wood and Hayes. That's two unserious rotation guys that forces everyone two rotation places up and one position higher than their natural positions. 7-8 man rotation of Reaves/Max/Vando/DFS/Rui/Bron/AD/decent 5 suddenly become more viable, more balanced to mix and match on both ends.

[zimpy27]

Rui out makes me think it's about to go down next few days.


Rui+JHS for Vuc
Rui+JHS for Kessler+Clarkson

Not including picks but they'd be my guesses.

[nzahir]

I hate our zone

DK is too inconsistent of a shooter rn, a year too early feels like for him to have a positive impact

[PistolPeteJR]

I hate our zone

DK is too inconsistent of a shooter rn, a year too early feels like for him to have a positive impact

At least he’s 3/5 from deep 3 quarters in

[homecourtloss]

Wild to see GS become such trash. Draymond back will help, but they won’t do anything. Best to trade Curry.

[nzahir]

I hate our zone

DK is too inconsistent of a shooter rn, a year too early feels like for him to have a positive impact

At least he’s 3/5 from deep 3 quarters in

Good to see

Still not super reliable this year, but obviously has a lot of potential

We need a 3rd ball handler, the lineups without AR and Bron and when its AD, Gabe, Knecht and others is rough on offense

But then take AR away from Bron and it looked even worse. At least the AD unit can defend

I liked what I saw from Vando tonight. Wish he was more of a lob threat though

If you cant get Kessler and no #3 ball handlers available, you then lean more towards Vuc

If you want a defensive big and cant get a 3rd ball handler, then I wonder if you look into a shooter like Klay or Duncan Robinson to help with more off ball movement

[dcstanley]

I hate our zone

DK is too inconsistent of a shooter rn, a year too early feels like for him to have a positive impact

At least he’s 3/5 from deep 3 quarters in

Good to see

Still not super reliable this year, but obviously has a lot of potential

We need a 3rd ball handler, the lineups without AR and Bron and when its AD, Gabe, Knecht and others is rough on offense

But then take AR away from Bron and it looked even worse. At least the AD unit can defend

I liked what I saw from Vando tonight. Wish he was more of a lob threat though

If you cant get Kessler and no #3 ball handlers available, you then lean more towards Vuc

If you want a defensive big and cant get a 3rd ball handler, then I wonder if you look into a shooter like Klay or Duncan Robinson to help with more off ball movement

Gabe is looking pretty important. He was bad offensively but was really good defensively. JJ closed with him and DFS alongside LBJ/AR/AD. He's Christie insurance in case he's not up to snuff in the playoffs.

Unfortunately, his offense is too inconsistent. But I'm not willing to trade him for a Sexton or something just yet. Feel like his defense would be more valuable in a playoff setting than another offensive player.

[TroubleS0me]

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[Mos_Heat]

Wild to see GS become such trash. Draymond back will help, but they won’t do anything. Best to trade Curry.

Tricked themselves into thinking culture matters more than talent

[Mos_Heat]

Rui+Knecht+JHS + 27' 1-4 + 31' unprotected for Kesler and Sexton is the best move they can do

[rk2023]

Are they back? Idt net rating against this Lakers team is the “gotcha” made to be, if anything - it shows their floor and when AD:Bron don’t have it is pretty brutal.

At the same time, they’re 25-18 (I’m assuming best start since 2020-21) with a lot of personnel and coaching flaws. As constructed and given some of Bron & AD’s lows - I’m not really bullish on this team winning a series as is. However, if they can make 1-2 moves - I think they can win a series or 2. Not getting my hopes up for a title though

[Mos_Heat]

Are they back? Idt net rating against this Lakers team is the “gotcha” made to be, if anything - it shows their floor and when AD:Bron don’t have it is pretty brutal.

At the same time, they’re 25-18 (I’m assuming best start since 2020-21) with a lot of personnel and coaching flaws. As constructed and given some of Bron & AD’s lows - I’m not really bullish on this team winning a series as is. However, if they can make 1-2 moves - I think they can win a series or 2. Not getting my hopes up for a title though

Their net rating is a bit misleading cuz they been blown badly in 4 games by 24+ points

[Mos_Heat]

With Turner rumors what you guys think about 3 way with Portland:
Indy gets Knecht and Rob Will
LAL gets Turner + this years ATL's 2nd rounder
Portland gets Rui/Wood/lotto protected 1st in 29 or 31

[Tracymcgoaty]

I seriously wonder how Max-Vand-DFS would look on defense.

our offense would take a major hit probably but it would be great fun watching those guys play defense.

[nzahir]

Rui+Knecht+JHS + 27' 1-4 + 31' unprotected for Kesler and Sexton is the best move they can do

Thats a lot...

I assume we rather move 2029 rather than 2031 right?

Make it 2029 unprotected

I think a 3rd team may give up some 2nds for Rui possibly, maybe we can get a 2nd or two back?

I really prefer a bigger 3rd playmaker, but having a very tough time figuiring it out. If we cant figure it out, this is fine sicne its simple and Sexton is a solid player, but not going to play him really with AR much. Defense would be pretty bad I think.

Guards:
Sexton, Clarkson, TJ, Nembhard (least likely to be moved), Devin Vassell, Cp3, DJM, CJ, Poole, Lonzo, Cam Thomas, Marcus Smart, Simons, Coby White, Ayo, Brogdon, Bruce Brown, Banton

Wings:
Demar, BI

Only guys I see that are rumored or could be potentially had

Any names Im missing?

Other option is go for a 3 point sniper like Klay, Duncan Robinson, CamJ and have the bench unit be more revolved around AD actions with a shooter and then Gabe is the primary ball handler

[nzahir]

With Turner rumors what you guys think about 3 way with Portland:
Indy gets Knecht and Rob Will
LAL gets Turner + this years ATL's 2nd rounder
Portland gets Rui/Wood/lotto protected 1st in 29 or 31

Hmm not a bad idea honestly

But I dont see it for Indy; big risk for them with RW3. Knecht can be solid in the future for them thoguh

They arent getting a 1st however

Portland seems to be stealing value imo. But the 1st is lotto protected (If we are even allowed to do that since we dont have those 2nds)

Speaking realistically I dont see us moving Knecht unless its for a young guy like Kessler/someone else

Turner is 29 soon and wants to get paid and a bit past his prime now

I also think Turner may be a bit overrated. He is a poor rebounder for a C and not going to really punish 4s for defending him since hes not a great post up guy and not going to kill you on the glass or be a crazy high vertical threat like Rw3 would be

I still think Kessler is target #1, but would love for more data to be thrown at me

[Mos_Heat]

With Turner rumors what you guys think about 3 way with Portland:
Indy gets Knecht and Rob Will
LAL gets Turner + this years ATL's 2nd rounder
Portland gets Rui/Wood/lotto protected 1st in 29 or 31

Hmm not a bad idea honestly

But I dont see it for Indy; big risk for them with RW3. Knecht can be solid in the future for them thoguh

They arent getting a 1st however

Portland seems to be stealing value imo. But the 1st is lotto protected (If we are even allowed to do that since we dont have those 2nds)

Speaking realistically I dont see us moving Knecht unless its for a young guy like Kessler/someone else

Turner is 29 soon and wants to get paid and a bit past his prime now

I also think Turner may be a bit overrated. He is a poor rebounder for a C and not going to really punish 4s for defending him since hes not a great post up guy and not going to kill you on the glass or be a crazy high vertical threat like Rw3 would be

I still think Kessler is target #1, but would love for more data to be thrown at me

Doesn't really matter that Turner not a great rebounder. He still better than Rui and allows AD to play at PF for chunks of time

The concept of the trade is to give the Pacers a starting caliber C who's not expiring + Knecht, so you can replace Portland in a deal with Raptors and send Poetl to Indy. It's gonna be something like:
Indy Poetl + Knecth
LAL Turner + a 2nd from Raptors
TOR Rui + Isaiah Jackson + protected 1st from LA

[zimpy27]

Rui for Klay, would you say no?