RealGM

Currently or historically who would you say is the perfect second option for Luka Doncic.

Defensive anchor and elite finisher that can go low usage offensively - I'd go with old DRob if we talk about actual 2nd options from real life.

(not including these behemoth-2nd options like KD or AD, because he would've been even better obviously in his 2020 self)

I'll think on current guys, but I find it a bit tricky, the KP that exists in Washington would seem like a decent fit, but never really materialized in Dallas, why was that?

I think Bam Adebayo would be my top pick for guys who are pretty clearly more #2 types (so not Paul George, current Siakam). I'd try to avoid guys who bring most of their value on ball and try to fill that with more of a game manager type #3 or #4. Myles Turner/Jarrett Allen options would fit well. Going away from the more traditional big I think recent Jrue or current Lauri would be good.

Anthony Davis

Perhaps the GOAT-lob big ever.

I think Kyrie with good mental/physical health. That and a good defense and you get a chip. It's the LeBron kinda formula.

Luka can dominate the ball, average his 30/8/8, Kyrie can just slide in and get you 25/5/5 w. out needing a lot of time to establish a rhythm. He can run an offense, play on or off ball, score 40 whenever, make plays for Luka, etc. They'd be unstoppable.

Or Jimmy Butler, but I think he's too good to think of him in terms of "second banana."

Brunson

I think almost anyone would be a second option to Doncic at this point (okay, maybe not Jokic) so I would say Kevin Durant. Great off ball player, can create, etc. And, I think at this point in his career, he might be willing to be the 2nd option where he was uncomfortable with that in GS.

penbeast0 wrote:I think almost anyone would be a second option to Doncic at this point (okay, maybe not Jokic) so I would say Kevin Durant. Great off ball player, can create, etc. And, I think at this point in his career, he might be willing to be the 2nd option where he was uncomfortable with that in GS.

I would say the offense was built around Steph but I wouldn’t call KD a second option, I feel he was the go to guy when stuff stagnated in the postseason at times but stuff doesn’t stagnate much when you put the justice league the avengers and goku together

Currently, Zach Lavine

I think you really want an all-arounder as the best fit second option.

Among current guys I'd say Siakam (yes, he's the first option on Toronto but he's not too good to be a second option). A plus defender so the everybody else part of the roster doesn't have to be all defense to cover for two weak defensive stars. Can run the show for stretches to allow Luka to rest some (both on-court and off). Comfortable enough off the ball to benefit from playing off of Luka.

Paul George tbh. Seamless offensive fit and can guard whoever Luka can't. The only issue would be whether the coaching staff can cook up sets that incorporate both as their 2 man game would simply be pointless as teams would just switch it.

Honorable mentions I'd say AD, Bam, Kyrie, and Rockets Chris Paul.

Prime Klay Thompson could be very deadly, coming off screens. Historically Ray Allen or Reggie Miller. For a BIG i would say Kevin Garnett, because he would take care of the defense and set hard screens for Luka.

Ben Simmons at the 5

MyUniBroDavis wrote:

penbeast0 wrote:I think almost anyone would be a second option to Doncic at this point (okay, maybe not Jokic) so I would say Kevin Durant. Great off ball player, can create, etc. And, I think at this point in his career, he might be willing to be the 2nd option where he was uncomfortable with that in GS.

I would say the offense was built around Steph but I wouldn’t call KD a second option, I feel he was the go to guy when stuff stagnated in the postseason at times but stuff doesn’t stagnate much when you put the justice league the avengers and goku together

Batman solos them with prep time

Somebody mentioned Klay, I like that. Luka attracts so much attention you really need somebody who can punish the closeout - whether with a super quick release or with quick decision making as a secondary playmaker.