Who Should the Lakers be Targeting (need non Laker Fan Opinions)

[Sivb]

Biggest problem lakers have is figuring a role for LBJ that’s best for the team. I’m a big fan of Lebron but I honestly think you cannot have a forward nowadays that coasts on Defense. Either LBJ improves his intensity on defence, becomes and becomes a more consistent defender, and on the flip side, less ball handling and playmaking. Alternatively, he moves to point guard permanently and then you structure your roster and team accordingly. I’d go with the latter and thus I’d target forward (Lauri) and a bulky centre (Drummond) to assist AD with the Denver and Wolves matchups.

[nzahir]

I don't think they should trade any more picks, they don't have cap space to offer for a guy like CJ, and the role players they have that hold some value (Reaves and to a lesser extent Rui) they need.

The option they need to take is obvious, but they're the Lakers so they won't do it.

Cap space? These are trades

If we match salaries, how dont we have the space?

Trade partners often seek cap savings, be it immediate or long term, as part of the trade. Outside of Dlo, who has yet to opt in, the Lakers don't have it to offer.

Or they want assets like picks and younger guys....

[nzahir]

You have 2 firsts and the 24 selection, swaps, and I think you overvalue the rest of those guys.

So 3 1sts lmfao....what a weird way to type that out

What do most other teams have?

Obviously we aren't going to compete vs a team like OKC or NY with assets, but we aren't near the bottom of the league

I think Lauri to OKC makes the most sense if they want to go for it, which they probably should

I think we have enough for most of these guys though

What team wants to outbid us for Trae? Maybe SA or Orlando? But maybe too quick for SA and hurts Orlando's defensive identity

Lavine is really worth neutral at best. If he was a Laker, everyone would say we need to give up 2 1sts to get rid of him

DJM is overrated to me, not worth much. I still am unsure if I would even want him over Dlo due to his fit

I think we have enough for Butler if Miami wants to move on

Unsure what BKN wants for Bridges, but seems like they are valuing him like a superstar for some reason when in reality he is a #3/4 on offense and can be your #3 guy if you have 2 legit all stars and a solid team

You can’t trade the 24 1sts so it’s your teams selection which lowers the value. Young is a maybe unless a team like Brooklyn or Utah swoops in.

I guess, but you can maybe have some sort of agreement to draft someone that team wants

I dont view Young that highly b/c of his defense, play style, and contract, so I think we have enough

Does Trae really push BKN or Utah anywhere?

[nzahir]

You sure some of these guys wont be available?

I think they will be

The Lakers won't be able outbid other teams.

The question is do we have enough for Lauri

Young, good contract, and an all star

Think it will cost us Reaves and all the picks

Laker's picks are the least valuable in the league because they are the premier FA destination. Even if Lebron retires or goes elsewhere, there will always be other stars wanting to step up and be the man in L.A.

Utah isn't trading Lauri to the Lakers. It's a pipe dream.

That wasnt the case for like like 6 years though remember? Worst team for a while

Lauri probably has the highest value besides Mitchell

[nzahir]

Klay Thompson

JJ probably looking for shooters.

Would welcome him for the mle

I think we can get the higher mle if Dlo opts out and depends how much Bron signs for

Easily should get outbig by GS or Orlando, but maybe Klay wants to play for his hometown if things go south with GS?

[nzahir]

3+D players to surround Reaves, Prince, LeBron, Davis


Starting PG is the obvious need. I think they go for Murray or Brown. Even though neither are particularly good 3 shooters.

The rest should be 3+D players.

I think Rui+Vincent for Brown+Olynyk is interesting. Not sure on what pick compensation though.

If we have Brown, it may be tough to also keep Vando from a spacing perspective

Can Brown really play point guard?

Also his metrics were really bad this year

More interested in Olynyk

Best 3 and d guys I think that are realistic or somewhat realistic are Cameron Johnson and DFS

I wonder if BKN would take Rui+1-2 assets for Cam, such as #17 and a pick swap or JHS. Rui is 2 years younger than Cam and maybe even a better fit next to the thinner Bridges. But Cam fits us better and is overall a better player I believe

[nzahir]

Biggest problem lakers have is figuring a role for LBJ that’s best for the team. I’m a big fan of Lebron but I honestly think you cannot have a forward nowadays that coasts on Defense. Either LBJ improves his intensity on defence, becomes and becomes a more consistent defender, and on the flip side, less ball handling and playmaking. Alternatively, he moves to point guard permanently and then you structure your roster and team accordingly. I’d go with the latter and thus I’d target forward (Lauri) and a bulky centre (Drummond) to assist AD with the Denver and Wolves matchups.

If Bron is playing point guard, you need versatile defenders who can shoot a bit

Who are those guys?

I think having 1 bulky C for situations is ok, but we need a stretch big to play mostly next to AD

Named a ton on the 1st page

Only FA I can think of is Jalen Smith, but he is more of a 4 and then we for sure need a bulky C as well and probably move Wood

Unsure if he would even take the smaller mle, we probably need the larger mle

[zimpy27]

CamJ is a perfect target in terms of fit and it's known that Redick loves this guy.

[TheNetsFan]

CamJ is a perfect target in terms of fit and it's known that Redick loves this guy.

I didn't know Redick is a fan, but I was thinking CamJ is a pretty perfect fit as a swing forward for LAL. Outside of DLo if he opts in, I can't see the Nets being interested in any of the contract fillers on the Lakers though.

[Colbinii]

1) Ingram
2) Lavine

Otherwise, besides specific players:

1) Shooting

Yeah, everyone needs shooting, but LA can sacrifice a bit of size for shooting. LA can sacrifice a bit of playmaking for shooting. They should be able to fit shooting like Buddy Hield for relatively cheap and can mask some of his deficiencies [playmaking and defense] with LeBron/AD.

2) Legitimate Rim Runner

Hayes wasn't it.

I think we pass on BI

We saw he wasnt a great fit next to Bron

Also poor next to Zion

In 2019? When BI was in his 2nd season? That's the comparison here?

The Lakers didn't even have AD.

Why does Ingram not being a great fit [but still good enough to be a playoff team and great RS Defense] with Zion have to do with LeBron?

[Colbinii]

CamJ is a perfect target in terms of fit and it's known that Redick loves this guy.

I didn't know Redick is a fan, but I was thinking CamJ is a pretty perfect fit as a swing forward for LAL. Outside of DLo if he opts in, I can't see the Nets being interested in any of the contract fillers on the Lakers though.

Yeah, and the Lakers aren't really looking for a marginal move [at best, I think Rui is a better post-season player] like Rui for Cam.

Hard to make the move work.

FWIW, Cam was on the Redick podcast and they talked about shooting and how much CamJ looked up to JJ as a shooter.

[Colbinii]

Biggest problem lakers have is figuring a role for LBJ that’s best for the team. I’m a big fan of Lebron but I honestly think you cannot have a forward nowadays that coasts on Defense. Either LBJ improves his intensity on defence, becomes and becomes a more consistent defender, and on the flip side, less ball handling and playmaking. Alternatively, he moves to point guard permanently and then you structure your roster and team accordingly. I’d go with the latter and thus I’d target forward (Lauri) and a bulky centre (Drummond) to assist AD with the Denver and Wolves matchups.

LeBron doesn't really coast any more than other players. What LeBron does is he knows exactly where and when to be on a play, when and where to rotate, and who to rotate to. When LeBron is 'coasting', it is typically not closing out on a weak 3P shooter or "not rotating because Player X already missed the rotation and it would be a late closeout at best" situation. LeBron is still very much engaged defensively when the ball or play is inclusive of him.

Does he really coast more than PG13, Kawhi, Durant, Embiid, or Jokic on the defensive end on a game-to-game basis? I don't buy it.

[nzahir]

CamJ is a perfect target in terms of fit and it's known that Redick loves this guy.

I didn't know Redick is a fan, but I was thinking CamJ is a pretty perfect fit as a swing forward for LAL. Outside of DLo if he opts in, I can't see the Nets being interested in any of the contract fillers on the Lakers though.

Yeah, and the Lakers aren't really looking for a marginal move [at best, I think Rui is a better post-season player] like Rui for Cam.

Hard to make the move work.

FWIW, Cam was on the Redick podcast and they talked about shooting and how much CamJ looked up to JJ as a shooter.

Cam was fine in the suns title run and good with bkn

It is likely a marginal move, but sometimes those are fine

He has a higher iq, better shooter, and likely a better fit than Rui

Rui is younger, can create more on his own, and a bigger body

A swap would be ideal

[nzahir]

CamJ is a perfect target in terms of fit and it's known that Redick loves this guy.

I didn't know Redick is a fan, but I was thinking CamJ is a pretty perfect fit as a swing forward for LAL. Outside of DLo if he opts in, I can't see the Nets being interested in any of the contract fillers on the Lakers though.

No interest in Rui and some assets?

Wold BKN even want Dlo?

[nzahir]

1) Ingram
2) Lavine

Otherwise, besides specific players:

1) Shooting

Yeah, everyone needs shooting, but LA can sacrifice a bit of size for shooting. LA can sacrifice a bit of playmaking for shooting. They should be able to fit shooting like Buddy Hield for relatively cheap and can mask some of his deficiencies [playmaking and defense] with LeBron/AD.

2) Legitimate Rim Runner

Hayes wasn't it.

I think we pass on BI

We saw he wasnt a great fit next to Bron

Also poor next to Zion

In 2019? When BI was in his 2nd season? That's the comparison here?

The Lakers didn't even have AD.

Why does Ingram not being a great fit [but still good enough to be a playoff team and great RS Defense] with Zion have to do with LeBron?

It was his 3rd season and BI was also poor in Team USA

He needs the ball to be successful and not a very good 3 point shooter

I also feel like he wouldnt even want to be here

Zion is a bit similar to Lebron

[Sivb]

Biggest problem lakers have is figuring a role for LBJ that’s best for the team. I’m a big fan of Lebron but I honestly think you cannot have a forward nowadays that coasts on Defense. Either LBJ improves his intensity on defence, becomes and becomes a more consistent defender, and on the flip side, less ball handling and playmaking. Alternatively, he moves to point guard permanently and then you structure your roster and team accordingly. I’d go with the latter and thus I’d target forward (Lauri) and a bulky centre (Drummond) to assist AD with the Denver and Wolves matchups.

LeBron doesn't really coast any more than other players. What LeBron does is he knows exactly where and when to be on a play, when and where to rotate, and who to rotate to. When LeBron is 'coasting', it is typically not closing out on a weak 3P shooter or "not rotating because Player X already missed the rotation and it would be a late closeout at best" situation. LeBron is still very much engaged defensively when the ball or play is inclusive of him.

Does he really coast more than PG13, Kawhi, Durant, Embiid, or Jokic on the defensive end on a game-to-game basis? I don't buy it.

Defence is not just about making the steal or close down, but primarily limiting the options and enforcing the pressure by pressing. I’m a big lebron fan but he’s low intensity on defence gives teams options. Even if the guy he’s supposed to be guarding is a bad shooter, you leave him open and make him a pass out option for the guy in possession and that relieves the whole defensive press. PG and Kawhi press the players their guarding more consistently on the in pass than Bron, which puts more pressure on the ball handler.

[Colbinii]

Biggest problem lakers have is figuring a role for LBJ that’s best for the team. I’m a big fan of Lebron but I honestly think you cannot have a forward nowadays that coasts on Defense. Either LBJ improves his intensity on defence, becomes and becomes a more consistent defender, and on the flip side, less ball handling and playmaking. Alternatively, he moves to point guard permanently and then you structure your roster and team accordingly. I’d go with the latter and thus I’d target forward (Lauri) and a bulky centre (Drummond) to assist AD with the Denver and Wolves matchups.

LeBron doesn't really coast any more than other players. What LeBron does is he knows exactly where and when to be on a play, when and where to rotate, and who to rotate to. When LeBron is 'coasting', it is typically not closing out on a weak 3P shooter or "not rotating because Player X already missed the rotation and it would be a late closeout at best" situation. LeBron is still very much engaged defensively when the ball or play is inclusive of him.

Does he really coast more than PG13, Kawhi, Durant, Embiid, or Jokic on the defensive end on a game-to-game basis? I don't buy it.

Defence is not just about making the steal or close down, but primarily limiting the options and enforcing the pressure by pressing. I’m a big lebron fan but he’s low intensity on defence gives teams options. Even if the guy he’s supposed to be guarding is a bad shooter, you leave him open and make him a pass out option for the guy in possession and that relieves the whole defensive press. PG and Kawhi press the players their guarding more consistently on the in pass than Bron, which puts more pressure on the ball handler.

Why isn't this reflected in the PBP data?

And like I said, what you are describing is essentially agreeing with me. I don't think LeBron not closing out quick on a poor shooter is noticeable affecting the game. I'd say LeBron is still very much a positive defensively--you can actively build an elite defense with LeBron.

[Sivb]

Biggest problem lakers have is figuring a role for LBJ that’s best for the team. I’m a big fan of Lebron but I honestly think you cannot have a forward nowadays that coasts on Defense. Either LBJ improves his intensity on defence, becomes and becomes a more consistent defender, and on the flip side, less ball handling and playmaking. Alternatively, he moves to point guard permanently and then you structure your roster and team accordingly. I’d go with the latter and thus I’d target forward (Lauri) and a bulky centre (Drummond) to assist AD with the Denver and Wolves matchups.

If Bron is playing point guard, you need versatile defenders who can shoot a bit

Who are those guys?

I think having 1 bulky C for situations is ok, but we need a stretch big to play mostly next to AD

Named a ton on the 1st page

Only FA I can think of is Jalen Smith, but he is more of a 4 and then we for sure need a bulky C as well and probably move Wood

Unsure if he would even take the smaller mle, we probably need the larger mle

AD is fine at the 5 against most teams, with the exception of Denver and the Wolves. Lakers need bulk centre for Joker matchups hence I suggested Drummond. Wood is to small for those matchups.

[Sivb]

LeBron doesn't really coast any more than other players. What LeBron does is he knows exactly where and when to be on a play, when and where to rotate, and who to rotate to. When LeBron is 'coasting', it is typically not closing out on a weak 3P shooter or "not rotating because Player X already missed the rotation and it would be a late closeout at best" situation. LeBron is still very much engaged defensively when the ball or play is inclusive of him.

Does he really coast more than PG13, Kawhi, Durant, Embiid, or Jokic on the defensive end on a game-to-game basis? I don't buy it.

Defence is not just about making the steal or close down, but primarily limiting the options and enforcing the pressure by pressing. I’m a big lebron fan but he’s low intensity on defence gives teams options. Even if the guy he’s supposed to be guarding is a bad shooter, you leave him open and make him a pass out option for the guy in possession and that relieves the whole defensive press. PG and Kawhi press the players their guarding more consistently on the in pass than Bron, which puts more pressure on the ball handler.

Why isn't this reflected in the PBP data?

And like I said, what you are describing is essentially agreeing with me. I don't think LeBron not closing out quick on a poor shooter is noticeable affecting the game. I'd say LeBron is still very much a positive defensively--you can actively build an elite defense with LeBron.

I’m in no way saying he’s a bad defender, but that for the team, he either needs to be more aggressive and consistent on that end to win a championship. If you can’t stop Aaron Gordon on the offensive end, that’s a very glaring problem.

[nzahir]

Biggest problem lakers have is figuring a role for LBJ that’s best for the team. I’m a big fan of Lebron but I honestly think you cannot have a forward nowadays that coasts on Defense. Either LBJ improves his intensity on defence, becomes and becomes a more consistent defender, and on the flip side, less ball handling and playmaking. Alternatively, he moves to point guard permanently and then you structure your roster and team accordingly. I’d go with the latter and thus I’d target forward (Lauri) and a bulky centre (Drummond) to assist AD with the Denver and Wolves matchups.

If Bron is playing point guard, you need versatile defenders who can shoot a bit

Who are those guys?

I think having 1 bulky C for situations is ok, but we need a stretch big to play mostly next to AD

Named a ton on the 1st page

Only FA I can think of is Jalen Smith, but he is more of a 4 and then we for sure need a bulky C as well and probably move Wood

Unsure if he would even take the smaller mle, we probably need the larger mle

AD is fine at the 5 against most teams, with the exception of Denver and the Wolves. Lakers need bulk centre for Joker matchups hence I suggested Drummond. Wood is to small for those matchups.

I think pass on Drummond, we saw him here already

Spacing would be bad

Need a floor spacer next to AD

Duop Reath is my favroite low key name, Portland already has a couple other bigs and hes 28 in a few days

Best role guys for now are Cam Johnson, DFS, and Reath