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

[RCM88x]

Not sure Lebron is crazy about playing with Luka.

I think Lebron has no problem playing with Luka and probably even wants to. However Luka gives the Lakers an excuse not to try and win now, and obviously Lebron wants to win now. If Luka was 31 instead of 26 and the exact same player I don't think you would hear any media rumblings about the pairing.

[trickshot]

Think the worst part of the nonsense Rob is putting out is you would still have to build the exact same team with another number two beside Luka. The max slot Lebron is taking up isn't going to disappear with a best case scenario like Jaylen Brown. It's just giving early excuses for another bungled planning cycle.

[PistolPeteJR]

Uh…. Anyone else see what LeBron posted online? Wearing a hat that says “Welcome home”.

I don’t typically read into this stuff, but he’s typically quite intentional with what he posts…

[nzahir]

Uh…. Anyone else see what LeBron posted online? Wearing a hat that says “Welcome home”.

I don’t typically read into this stuff, but he’s typically quite intentional with what he posts…

I can only pray he goes back to CLE at this point

Cle In: Lebron, Kessler, Bronny?
Cle out: Garland, Hunter, Allen, salary filler if needed

LAL In: Allen, Hunter
LAL Out: Lebron, Bronny?

Utah In: Garland
Utah Out: Kessler

Cle goes all in with

Mitchell, Strus, Bron, Mobley, Kessler
Lonzo, Merrill, Wade? LNJ, use vet min and exceptions to round out the roster with maybe a stretch C and some guards/wings

LAL has a C for now and the future and a wing replacement for Bron

Utah gets their starting pg and a core piece to pair with Bailey

But if we get Ayton for free and then Pelinka can sucker in another team for a good wing/guard 2 way player....then things are looking decent

The buyout for Ayton is huge. I thought we only had enough assets to really fill 1 need well with POA defender or with C, now we can do both if we want

But not many great POA defenders I can see being available, unless NOLA wants to flip Herb int Knecht, Rui, 1st, 2-3 swaps or same for Boston with White (but hes not going to be a wing stopper, while Herb can be both)

[EmpireFalls]

Look, Ayton’s effort issues as a screener and mental stuff aside: getting him to play for $8 million this year is ludicrously fortunate, and by far and away much better than any center solution they could have possibly hoped for.

This is a heist by the Lakers, no two ways about it.

[Special_Puppy]

Look, Ayton’s effort issues as a screener and mental stuff aside: getting him to play for $8 million this year is ludicrously fortunate, and by far and away much better than any center solution they could have possibly hoped for.

This is a heist by the Lakers, no two ways about it.

Kornet?

[nzahir]

Look, Ayton’s effort issues as a screener and mental stuff aside: getting him to play for $8 million this year is ludicrously fortunate, and by far and away much better than any center solution they could have possibly hoped for.

This is a heist by the Lakers, no two ways about it.

Yup this is a steal and Rob gets lucky AF again

But what are the next steps?

BAE is left for 5m. Would Horford take 5m?

Melton for vet min?

Luka, AR, Bron, Rui, Ayton
Gabe, Melton, Laravia, Vando, Horford
Knecht, Kleber

I want a defensive minded 1/2 or a 2/3 to slot into the starting lineup and have AR come off the bench.....who are the options though

I cant think of much besides
Derrick White: Likely would cost AR. I dont see Boston doing Knecht, 1st, swaps, and Rui. But if they would, sign us up
Wiggins: I would go Rui, expiring, 2nd and a swap. But no 1st or Knecht (I also think Rob doesnt move any assets unless its a young guy)
KCP (2 expirings or Vando+expiring+2nd+swap)

[EmpireFalls]

Look, Ayton’s effort issues as a screener and mental stuff aside: getting him to play for $8 million this year is ludicrously fortunate, and by far and away much better than any center solution they could have possibly hoped for.

This is a heist by the Lakers, no two ways about it.

Kornet?

Signed for the full MLE I believe. Ayton’s only getting $8m per allowing them to use the rest of the MLE on LaRavia. Ridiculous value

[PistolPeteJR]

Do we suspect Brogdon would accept the BAE?

[trickshot]

Very curious to see what happens with Reaves/Rui's contract renewals. Think one should be traded before someone gets tempted to let them walk for tax savings.

Ayton isn't a bad signing but really need to fix this inability to commit anything more than 2 years to free agents. It's a huge problem for building options and continuity. Waiting for projects like Ayton is not sustainable. If it does work you're just rehabbing their value for some other team.

[TroubleS0me]

Read on Twitter

[nzahir]

Do we suspect Brogdon would accept the BAE?

Why would we want Brgodon?

I want Horford if possible

And then bring back Hayes for basically the minimum+raise

[AEnigma]

Do we suspect Brogdon would accept the BAE?

Why would we want Brgodon?

I want Horford if possible

And then bring back Hayes for basically the minimum+raise

Unfortunately Horford seems to be aiming for the Warriors.

[nzahir]

Do we suspect Brogdon would accept the BAE?

Why would we want Brgodon?

I want Horford if possible

And then bring back Hayes for basically the minimum+raise

Unfortunately Horford seems to be aiming for the Warriors.

Best FA's left that make some sense besides Horford are: Precious, Melton, Gp2, Ben Simmons

Oof

Horford is target #1

Then its Melton. A risk with his health, but if hes healthy he can play
Then Ben Simmons. Has the most upside, but health and mental issues are there. And we would need to move Vando. But he would be a very solid defender off the bench
Then Gp2. A bench poa defender at least and if hes healthy, I prefer him to Gabe. Seems to make timely shots for GS in the playoffs
Then Precious

Assuming Grimes gets more than 5M from Phi

We can also use it as a trade exception, but not many guys I think below 5m that make sense for both sides

Also remembered Boucher, he’s an option too

[Mos_Heat]

At this point I'm genuinely curious as to how long Pelinka can keep this Ponzi scheme going.

People on twitter are praising him for getting Ayton + seems like he's building good relationship with Bill Duffy. At least 2 years, maybe?

[zimpy27]

Why would we want Brgodon?

I want Horford if possible

And then bring back Hayes for basically the minimum+raise

Unfortunately Horford seems to be aiming for the Warriors.

Best FA's left that make some sense besides Horford are: Precious, Melton, Gp2, Ben Simmons

Oof

Horford is target #1

Then its Melton. A risk with his health, but if hes healthy he can play
Then Ben Simmons. Has the most upside, but health and mental issues are there. And we would need to move Vando. But he would be a very solid defender off the bench
Then Gp2. A bench poa defender at least and if hes healthy, I prefer him to Gabe. Seems to make timely shots for GS in the playoffs
Then Precious

Assuming Grimes gets more than 5M from Phi

We can also use it as a trade exception, but not many guys I think below 5m that make sense for both sides

Also remembered Boucher, he’s an option too

Only realistic FAs left that I trust in playoffs are:

Horford (going to GSW)
Boucher
CP3
Melton


High upside flyer:

Simmons
THT
Lillard

[Fadeaway_J]

At this point I'm genuinely curious as to how long Pelinka can keep this Ponzi scheme going.

People on twitter are praising him for getting Ayton + seems like he's building good relationship with Bill Duffy. At least 2 years, maybe?

The Luka trade reset his clock for like 2-3 years, just like the Rui/DLo/Vando trades and surprise WCF run.

I don't even feel like this current group is necessarily worth going all-in for, but that's largely because of Pelinka's previous ineptitude.

[PistolPeteJR]

Unfortunately Horford seems to be aiming for the Warriors.

Best FA's left that make some sense besides Horford are: Precious, Melton, Gp2, Ben Simmons

Oof

Horford is target #1

Then its Melton. A risk with his health, but if hes healthy he can play
Then Ben Simmons. Has the most upside, but health and mental issues are there. And we would need to move Vando. But he would be a very solid defender off the bench
Then Gp2. A bench poa defender at least and if hes healthy, I prefer him to Gabe. Seems to make timely shots for GS in the playoffs
Then Precious

Assuming Grimes gets more than 5M from Phi

We can also use it as a trade exception, but not many guys I think below 5m that make sense for both sides

Also remembered Boucher, he’s an option too

Only realistic FAs left that I trust in playoffs are:

Horford (going to GSW)
Boucher
CP3
Melton


High upside flyer:

Simmons
THT
Lillard

Why are we not considering Brogdon here? Makes Vincent + Maxi easily movable for a wing.

[Slava]

Provided this works out, that’s potentially 6 guys Redick can trust on the roster in Luka - LeBron - Reaves - Ayton - Rui and Laravia. If Knecht shows improvement, that takes it to 7. We still need another wing defender to potentially start at the 3 and a point of attack defender plus back up center. Maybe Boucher and Melton can solve 2/3 issues while the starting caliber wing arrives via trade for Vincent, Kleber and a pick. Vando and Thiero can be wildcards to throw in back to backs when the team needs a lift.

[nzahir]

Best FA's left that make some sense besides Horford are: Precious, Melton, Gp2, Ben Simmons

Oof

Horford is target #1

Then its Melton. A risk with his health, but if hes healthy he can play
Then Ben Simmons. Has the most upside, but health and mental issues are there. And we would need to move Vando. But he would be a very solid defender off the bench
Then Gp2. A bench poa defender at least and if hes healthy, I prefer him to Gabe. Seems to make timely shots for GS in the playoffs
Then Precious

Assuming Grimes gets more than 5M from Phi

We can also use it as a trade exception, but not many guys I think below 5m that make sense for both sides

Also remembered Boucher, he’s an option too

Only realistic FAs left that I trust in playoffs are:

Horford (going to GSW)
Boucher
CP3
Melton


High upside flyer:

Simmons
THT
Lillard

Why are we not considering Brogdon here? Makes Vincent + Maxi easily movable for a wing.

What issues is he solving?

Injury prone, lost athleticism. Still a good shooter and okay team defender

Need to figure out other spots first