(Lock Thread)The LeBron James- 23-24 NBA Playoffs & Off-Season Thread -(NO PERSONAL ATTACKS & BAITING)

[nzahir]

I don't like plug in play because I'm really trying to upgrade DLo to a better playmaker. LaVine is possible but he never has good impact metrics and I think it's because he is poor in intangibles. Butler/Ingram would be much better.

I guess plug and play guy like CamJ is possible if Lakers can also get a playoff level playmaker at the same time.

My guess is that Redick will be trying to improve spacing and movement in Lakers offense. He will have half season to trial this and then Lakers will make a trade based on how it looks.

Say we go for CamJ or Jerami Grant

Who is a playoff levek playmaker?

Salaries to work with:
Rui, Vando, Vincent, JHS, Hayes, Cam

That's what I'm struggling with. Could CP3 be a target?
Lonzo Ball if he recovers and looks good.
The only cheaper deals for playoff starter PGs are for injury prone guys.

I mean if Lakers could somehow get CP3, CamJ and Val then I would be happy.

CP3, Reaves, CamJ, LeBron, Davis -- Vincent, Christie, Wood, Val

Cool with Lonzo is he was a buyout, but too big of a risk to move salary for

Definite no to your Ben Simmons idea, thats crazy stuff

Theres a chance he isn't even playable due to injuries/confidence/lack of shooting

[ShaqAttac]

chrstie gone ig

[nzahir]

chrstie gone ig

Huh?

[zimpy27]

Say we go for CamJ or Jerami Grant

Who is a playoff levek playmaker?

Salaries to work with:
Rui, Vando, Vincent, JHS, Hayes, Cam

That's what I'm struggling with. Could CP3 be a target?
Lonzo Ball if he recovers and looks good.
The only cheaper deals for playoff starter PGs are for injury prone guys.

I mean if Lakers could somehow get CP3, CamJ and Val then I would be happy.

CP3, Reaves, CamJ, LeBron, Davis -- Vincent, Christie, Wood, Val

Cool with Lonzo is he was a buyout, but too big of a risk to move salary for

Definite no to your Ben Simmons idea, thats crazy stuff

Theres a chance he isn't even playable due to injuries/confidence/lack of shooting

Nah Simmons looks really good. He's going to be in all star form this season. He's back is better than ever, yes he could twinge it out of nowhere, it happens. But like MPJ I'm thinking he's finally got passed it.

[nzahir]

That's what I'm struggling with. Could CP3 be a target?
Lonzo Ball if he recovers and looks good.
The only cheaper deals for playoff starter PGs are for injury prone guys.

I mean if Lakers could somehow get CP3, CamJ and Val then I would be happy.

CP3, Reaves, CamJ, LeBron, Davis -- Vincent, Christie, Wood, Val

Cool with Lonzo is he was a buyout, but too big of a risk to move salary for

Definite no to your Ben Simmons idea, thats crazy stuff

Theres a chance he isn't even playable due to injuries/confidence/lack of shooting

Nah Simmons looks really good. He's going to be in all star form this season. He's back is better than ever, yes he could twinge it out of nowhere, it happens. But like MPJ I'm thinking he's finally got passed it.

Looks good how?

Please tell me this isn't based off of his summer workout videos again

Probably better off going after a guy like Draymond than Simmons, at least he is some sort of 3 point threat

[zimpy27]

Cool with Lonzo is he was a buyout, but too big of a risk to move salary for

Definite no to your Ben Simmons idea, thats crazy stuff

Theres a chance he isn't even playable due to injuries/confidence/lack of shooting

Nah Simmons looks really good. He's going to be in all star form this season. He's back is better than ever, yes he could twinge it out of nowhere, it happens. But like MPJ I'm thinking he's finally got passed it.

Looks good how?

Please tell me this isn't based off of his summer workout videos again

Probably better off going after a guy like Draymond than Simmons, at least he is some sort of 3 point threat

It's not based off videos, don't think there are videos of this offseason. It's from things I've heard from people who were iffy on previous offseasons and are suddenly all in on this one.

[tsherkin]

It's not based off videos, don't think there are videos of this offseason. It's from things I've heard from people who were iffy on previous offseasons and are suddenly all in on this one.

Not to be overly harsh, but Simmons is going into what is essentially year 9. He's going to be 28. The odds that he'll be any different than what we've seen before, especially in essential areas, is fairly close to zero. No one's going to care until and unless he demonstrates the first hint that he's going to be different on the court... and then, not until he does it for a substantial length of time.

Moreover, he's got to play 60+ games before anyone gives a crap about anything related to him at all. Which he hasn't done since 2019. He's played 42 and 15 games in the previous two seasons, and it's been since 2021 when he last averaged 10+ ppg.

Lots of people look great in isolated off-season workouts. Ndudi Ebi's workout with Hakeem comes to mind, for example. And yeah, it's quite possible he's moving well at the moment. We'll see what happens when the RS grind happens. If he plays most of the autumn, then there will be something to talk about with him, I think, you know?

[zimpy27]

It's not based off videos, don't think there are videos of this offseason. It's from things I've heard from people who were iffy on previous offseasons and are suddenly all in on this one.

Not to be overly harsh, but Simmons is going into what is essentially year 9. He's going to be 28. The odds that he'll be any different than what we've seen before, especially in essential areas, is fairly close to zero. No one's going to care until and unless he demonstrates the first hint that he's going to be different on the court... and then, not until he does it for a substantial length of time.

Moreover, he's got to play 60+ games before anyone gives a crap about anything related to him at all. Which he hasn't done since 2019. He's played 42 and 15 games in the previous two seasons, and it's been since 2021 when he last averaged 10+ ppg.

Lots of people look great in isolated off-season workouts. Ndudi Ebi's workout with Hakeem comes to mind, for example. And yeah, it's quite possible he's moving well at the moment. We'll see what happens when the RS grind happens. If he plays most of the autumn, then there will be something to talk about with him, I think, you know?

No he's not a different player, he's back to full health which he had as a 3-time all star.

He will still not have a jump shot but i don't care about that.

[tsherkin]

No he's not a different player, he's back to full health which he had as a 3-time all star.

We'll see. At full health 4 seasons prior to this upcoming, he was a 14/7/7 guy over 58 games. The year prior, 16/8/8 over 59 game and the year prior, 17/9/8 over 79 games, the only full-season AS campaign we've ever seen from him. We'll see if the defense is there. He will likely still suck at the line, lack a 3 and it's quite possible he will remain sufficiently tepid and hesitant as a scoring threat to limit his overall utility.

But if he can simply be available for even 25 mpg playing solid defense and moving the ball well, that would be a nice step forward.

I remain doubtful. I have heard this kind of story very many times before.

[nzahir]

Nah Simmons looks really good. He's going to be in all star form this season. He's back is better than ever, yes he could twinge it out of nowhere, it happens. But like MPJ I'm thinking he's finally got passed it.

Looks good how?

Please tell me this isn't based off of his summer workout videos again

Probably better off going after a guy like Draymond than Simmons, at least he is some sort of 3 point threat

It's not based off videos, don't think there are videos of this offseason. It's from things I've heard from people who were iffy on previous offseasons and are suddenly all in on this one.

What does heard from people even mean lol

Like who?

Would you rather have Draymond at 25M or Ben Simmons at 40M?

[zimpy27]

Looks good how?

Please tell me this isn't based off of his summer workout videos again

Probably better off going after a guy like Draymond than Simmons, at least he is some sort of 3 point threat

It's not based off videos, don't think there are videos of this offseason. It's from things I've heard from people who were iffy on previous offseasons and are suddenly all in on this one.

What does heard from people even mean lol

Like who?

Would you rather have Draymond at 25M or Ben Simmons at 40M?

Through people I know that know Ben personally.

Draymond but Lakers can't get Draymond, he's too valuable to GSW.

[nzahir]

It's not based off videos, don't think there are videos of this offseason. It's from things I've heard from people who were iffy on previous offseasons and are suddenly all in on this one.

What does heard from people even mean lol

Like who?

Would you rather have Draymond at 25M or Ben Simmons at 40M?

Through people I know that know Ben personally.

Draymond but Lakers can't get Draymond, he's too valuable to GSW.

Draymond is only available if GS starts off horribly and they feel like their shot is over or they want to retool

Vando, Rui, 2029 1st, and a 2028 swap?

Defense should be pretty damn good to elite with Draymond and AD

Who would be your top 2 targets to trade for this year at this moment?

[zimpy27]

What does heard from people even mean lol

Like who?

Would you rather have Draymond at 25M or Ben Simmons at 40M?

Through people I know that know Ben personally.

Draymond but Lakers can't get Draymond, he's too valuable to GSW.

Draymond is only available if GS starts off horribly and they feel like their shot is over or they want to retool

Vando, Rui, 2029 1st, and a 2028 swap?

Defense should be pretty damn good to elite with Draymond and AD

Who would be your top 2 targets to trade for this year at this moment?

Curry-Dray is a package deal. They trade them together if they do but they won't.
GSW have a decent team, they will be active at deadline, could see LeBron being traded there more than Dray to Lakers.

There are good players that Lakers could get with their assets, I just don't think they make a move until start of 2025 and season getting on at that point. Lakers are in a tough spot because teams see them as an easy target since Westbrook trade and they do get bad prices for trades until deadline.

[zimpy27]

Redick says they will do DLo, Reaves, Rui, LeBron, Davis while focusing more on OREBs, movement and 3PA..


Feeling pretty good about Redick as a coach from this, have been wanting this.

[tsherkin]

Redick says they will do DLo, Reaves, Rui, LeBron, Davis while focusing more on OREBs, movement and 3PA..


Feeling pretty good about Redick as a coach from this, have been wanting this.

All the right words so far. Now they need to see if the supporting cast can get it done to improve the team's overall results. I have enjoyed what he's had to say as well.

[TroubleS0me]

Read on Twitter

[nzahir]

Redick says they will do DLo, Reaves, Rui, LeBron, Davis while focusing more on OREBs, movement and 3PA..


Feeling pretty good about Redick as a coach from this, have been wanting this.

All the right words so far. Now they need to see if the supporting cast can get it done to improve the team's overall results. I have enjoyed what he's had to say as well.

I have pretty decent hopes with JJ, the issue is the depth

We actually have a pretty damn good starting 5

Then whats the bench?

Vincent: Who knows how he will be if he isn't healthy? And I wasnt even a fan of him when he was healthy really. Hes a below avg 3 pt shooter for a guard, but gives effort on defense

Christie: We seem to have a lot of hope in Christie to come and be a 3 and d guard. I actually believe he can do quite well when slotted next to a couple of playmakers and all he has to do is shoot open shots and not make too many reads.

Knecht: Seems like we are hoping he can be as good as Prince if not better. Thats a lot to ask for a rookie, but lets see. He is older and maybe he is lie Cam Johnson for the suns his 1st year

Vando: Who knows if he will be ready and how he will look early on. But I like Vando

Backup C is still the biggest question mark. INSANE to me that haven't done much about it. Koloko has potential, but who knows.
Wood had a horrible last year, so I have some hope with him.

But even then, none of these guys are big bodies.

I would think the prudent thing to do is go and get a backup C that is playable if you can get one without giving up a 1st. Swaps/2nds/JHS (or unprotecting Utah 1st) are all fine

My issue without upgrading up a bit and waiting to make a trade is that we start out slow and dig ourselves in a hole, AGAIN!!

[nzahir]

Thoughts on Mitchell Robinson?

We potentially spoke to them surrounding a deal with Vincent and Wood.

Salaries dont fully work though. I assume Maxwell Lewis has to be in it, unless there are other ways to maneuver it

I personally dont love the fit and would rahter use the Vincent contract on something else

I also like Wood as a stretch 5

If it was Vincent, Hayes, Lewis, and even 1-2 2nds, I wouldn't love it due to his salary and (injury concerns ofc), but likely say yes

Dlo, Reaves, Rui, Bron, AD
JHS, Christie, Vando, Wood, Mitch

Better idea though is to get a cheap C or a C who can stretch the floor

[ardee]

I just can't believe he resigned with this team when he had a chance to go to a more competent organization and win a title in year 22 as the best player....

[zimpy27]

The players make Darvin Ham sound so inept.

Like he was all about culture but provided very little structure or detail.