Lakers Roster Needs

[SlimShady83]

I think all those needs are very valid and what the team needs.

Not banking on it, but I really hope Vando will improve his corner 3 after all that time he missed last season. His improved O will really open things up for this team's offense and force opposing defenses to at least respect his shot somewhat.

This ... And I'm also hoping for a Max Christie Break year while making DLO expendable (sort of Is already) - also think with how JJ likes Reaves, Reaves could be a 20-5-5 player year:)

[LakersSoul]

With a healthy Vando, Gabe and Wood with improve coaching, and another year of improvements to roster, we might be a sneaky underdog pick this year!

[TimeisIllmatic]

I think all those needs are very valid and what the team needs.

Not banking on it, but I really hope Vando will improve his corner 3 after all that time he missed last season. His improved O will really open things up for this team's offense and force opposing defenses to at least respect his shot somewhat.

This ... And I'm also hoping for a Max Christie Break year while making DLO expendable (sort of Is already) - also think with how JJ likes Reaves, Reaves could be a 20-5-5 player year:)

I'm a huge fan of Max Christie but I guess because he's only 21, he gets written off as of now. There are things he can improve on such as decision making and getting physically stronger but he has a high basketball IQ and great work ethic.

Like many posters on here, I am not a huge fan of D'Lo but he is going to be a Laker for at least another 2-3 seasons. He will opt out so that he can get more years on his contract from the Lakers. He knows by opting into his contract he will miss out on maximizing guaranteed years.

[Syko_boB]

Dream scenario as of today once we re-sign Max & LeBron

-

Trade for Dejounte - keep AR

Offer Rui, JHS, min (Reddish/Hayes) + 26 & 28 swaps, 29 1st


Only other assets are Vando, #17, 2030 swap, Vincent, Wood, Max Lewis, Castleton, 2nds

- if this means DLo opts out, hopefully that means we get the NT MLE and can make a run at JV or Klay/Buddy

[Kilroy]

Need LeBron to either play elite D or bounce... If there's one single thing that hamstrings us year after year, it's that... Which is exacerbated by the fact that he's such a huge star and the rest of the team defers to him... It's a double-whammy that really makes all other moves basically moot... Unless we can add a star that LeBron would be willing to play second fiddle to, or unless we have a coach that can sit LeBron when his D is killing us, we're cooked...
Don't get me wrong, LeBron is still capable of remarkable Offensive stats and games, but in the modern NBA, you can't afford a hole in Defense at either the 3 or the 4...

I like our young players, and I enjoy watching Davis when LeBron is out... he's usually pretty dominant...
D'lo can carry us offensively though the reg season, but he's also a non factor on D which is a really bad look to have the 2 and 3 or 4 being turnstyles on D...

So if you can get a decent return for DLo and add an attractive player or 2 in the draft, that may be about the best you can hope for this off-season... Which is a borderline play-in team at best...

[scoobs07]

- Reaves needs to become the primary ball handler. His greatest strengths are creating his own shot and creating for others. To give you an idea about his ability to create for others, last season, he averaged 6 assists per game as a shooting guard (as basically the third ball handler). I know Reaves isn't the greatest ball handler in the world, but the dilemma is he is better on the ball than off the ball. Dlo would be the perfect backcourt mate for him from an offensive standpoint, but they are a bad pair defensively.

- Lebron needs to be 100% off the ball. He has been talking about doing this for a while now, but this is the year where it needs to be put into action. He is a legit three-point shooter now, so he could just focus on doing that and cutting. This will also help extend his career. He is a 4 at this point in his career, but he may be able to continue playing a lot of 3 still because he would be saving a lot of energy on the offensive end.

-AD probably should stay at the 5. Reddick kind of solidified this. Surround him with shooters. Putting a big bulky 5 next to him so he could play the 4 is not ideal.

So, we probably need:

1. A very specific type of guard next to Reaves. This player needs to:
(a) Ability to defend point guards at a high level
(b) At least a 35% three-point shooter
(c) A high volume three-point shooter
(d) Ability to play without the ball in their hands
(e) Quickness and athleticism would be a huge plus

2. A clear-cut starting small forward. This player needs to
(a) Ability to defend wings at a decent level
(b) At least a 35% three-point shooter
(c) A high volume three-point shooter

3. A back-up center
(a) That is decent enough to sub in for AD for 15-20 minutes, and also start 15-20 games
(b) Cant really be picky with this spot and it is not as important as 1 and 2. I'm not sure if we go rim-runner, big-bulky guy, or floor-spacer here. Not sure what the Lakers brass wants.

[danfantastk32]

I mean, Jesus.....just look at what the Knicks gave up to get Mikal Bridges. Why in the hell aren't we doing this with AD? Sadly the script is prob gonna be flipped on me, when the Lakers give up everything they own till 2035 to get Trae Young.

God I pray someone takes Bronny, and Lebron bounces....forcing this knucklehead FO to do something right for once.

[danfantastk32]

And Brooklyn is gonna be a god-team in 6-7 years or so....cause you gotta know the Knicks are gonna jack this all up, and Brooklyn will get decent picks.

[Landsberger]

I mean, Jesus.....just look at what the Knicks gave up to get Mikal Bridges. Why in the hell aren't we doing this with AD? Sadly the script is prob gonna be flipped on me, when the Lakers give up everything they own till 2035 to get Trae Young.

God I pray someone takes Bronny, and Lebron bounces....forcing this knucklehead FO to do something right for once.

Just wait until that happens and they pick up Chris Paul off the trash heap...

[Kilroy]

I mean, if the Lakers are dead-set on keeping LeBron, they at least need a plan to maximize the roster around him... And if that means moving AD, then so be it... Although, given his ability to sporadically dominate both ends of the court, and the fact that size has again become a factor in the West, I'd think keeping AD and moving on from LeBron would be the better option... But that said, if you have to keep LeBron, you also have to get really creative with the roster... Which means finding a creative way to get out from DLo while also adding a bunch of talent...

[danfantastk32]

I mean, Jesus.....just look at what the Knicks gave up to get Mikal Bridges. Why in the hell aren't we doing this with AD? Sadly the script is prob gonna be flipped on me, when the Lakers give up everything they own till 2035 to get Trae Young.

God I pray someone takes Bronny, and Lebron bounces....forcing this knucklehead FO to do something right for once.

Just wait until that happens and they pick up Chris Paul off the trash heap...

Your dream, I know.

[SlimShady83]

when the Lakers give up everything they own till 2035 to get Trae Young.

God I pray someone takes Bronny, and Lebron bounces....forcing this knucklehead FO to do something right for once.

We want Trae, We want Trae, We want Trae. I'm helping spreading the chant around - Everyone gotta stop with the Donovan pipe dream. Also being serious about Trae I know the D not there, but I like the dude as long as we keep Reaves probably have to trade Reaves too

Edit: A team with Trae while keeping Reaves
C)AD
PF)Bron
SF) Vando probably?
SG) Reaves
PG) Young

Cav's not trading us Donovan not In a million years unless of course like I stated else where, he demands a trade, which he won't.

[Michael Lucky]

I mean, Jesus.....just look at what the Knicks gave up to get Mikal Bridges. Why in the hell aren't we doing this with AD? Sadly the script is prob gonna be flipped on me, when the Lakers give up everything they own till 2035 to get Trae Young.

God I pray someone takes Bronny, and Lebron bounces....forcing this knucklehead FO to do something right for once.

AD and Young would be an interesting combo. Sure won't help our Defense though, and i feel like we'd just end up being the Lillard Blazzers.

[LakersSoul]

when the Lakers give up everything they own till 2035 to get Trae Young.

God I pray someone takes Bronny, and Lebron bounces....forcing this knucklehead FO to do something right for once.

We want Trae, We want Trae, We want Trae. I'm helping spreading the chant around - Everyone gotta stop with the Donovan pipe dream. Also being serious about Trae I know the D not there, but I like the dude as long as we keep Reaves probably have to trade Reaves too

Edit: A team with Trae while keeping Reaves
C)AD
PF)Bron
SF) Vando probably?
SG) Reaves
PG) Young

Cav's not trading us Donovan not In a million years unless of course like I stated else where, he demands a trade, which he won't.

You see what Celtics did against Kyrie?

Lakers need to get longer, strong defender that can shoot 3s. Trae doesn’t give us that and locks our hands plus losing a ton of picks. We would be top 3 plus g-league bench.

Think we made good moves but injuries keep detailing us. Let’s get stronger and better with a backup center like Holmes and give minutes to develop guys like Max and Vando.

[SlimShady83]

It's 5 am for me Thursday, I'm about to head out to work after getting dressed LOL, I won't be home till like 7pm ish, I have a post I thought about creating thread, but will just post In here Instead. I'll be back later tonight.

[danfantastk32]

And if that means moving AD, then so be it... Although, given his ability to sporadically dominate both ends of the court, and the fact that size has again become a factor in the West, I'd think keeping AD and moving on from LeBron would be the better option...

My issue with AD is his health. Especially if Lebron were to leave.....your now counting on AD "for the future". It's one thing to cross your fingers that he's playoff ready next offseason. But counting on AD for the next 5 years is insane.

But most importantly with AD, there's still a little "meat on the bone" for the next team. I mean...he might play outstanding for the next 3 years. Who knows? And THAT'S the appeal. But if we keep this guy much longer, there ain't gonna be any meat left. You're not getting half the value for a 34-year old AD. Another good injury, and your prob getting nothing.

If the Lakers were able to S&T Lebron, and get a couple promising younger players...and then dump DLo, and now have the cap to get a better star.......NOW I think about keeping AD. But if it were future picks...or if he just walks....Better to just get what we can for AD, and rebuild.


* as an attachment - I think the Lakers should really explore a Lebron to GS move. Lebron teaming up with Steph immediately becomes must - watch. I think Lebron still has the skills to make them an immediate contender (pieces fitting decently of course). For GS...this becomes a huge cash-cow. And they may very well hoist another trophy with their darling Steph. For Lebron....he can try and win with a 4th team! Gets to be the hero again (perhaps), and gets the contract he wants, and can play with Steph. He's a 45minute flight Van Nuys airport....so thats no problem.

Would GS give us a 1st and a 2nd, and some semi-promising guy....and then they give Klay a 2-year "Sweetheart deal" and ship him to us? I think both teams walk away winners from this.

On and island.....prob not the greatest move for us. Klay's pretty busted up at this point. But we do get some picks. But if we then broke it all up.......Paying Klay for two-three years, while we start rebuilding is all good in my book.

[LakersSoul]

Jovan Buha in his podcast mentions Lakers roster needs:

1. 3&D
2. Backup center
3. 3 point shooting

1. 3&D concern:

The last best group of our best 3&D player was 2020 with Kuz, DGreen, Caruso. We had a few but lopsided towards O or D including Vando, Max Christie, Rui and Gabe Vincent. Unfortunately, Vando and Gabe were injured most of the year while Ham decided not to use Max. We were left with Rui but he is more O and less D minded.

How do we solve this?: FA is lacking so draft plus the G league players.

Healthy Vando and Gabe will help and maturing and minutes to Max is a big help. We should look to add 1-2 more wing:

Would love to add Holmes at #17. 6’11” who is 38% from 3 and blocking over 2 shots per game. Mature senior leader so ready as much as possible.

2. Backup Center:

NBA is getting bigger with Jokic, Embiid, Porzingus, Minn centers. AD is great but need the center to mix match against teams and give us more rebounding.

Holmes could be a good backup or we can add EDEY at #17 to battle our arch nemesis Joker. But we do need to get bigger and better.

Regarding shooters and bigger bodies plus 3&D players, Rob and the team really need to improve our roster to battle against Denver, Minn, OKC, and Boston.

With the draft tonight, some talk of adding BPA!

I agree but not a guard other than Bronny! Do we really want to add 2 guard in this years draft?

3&D and a backup center are our real needs.

Guards:

AR
Max
Gabe
Bronny
Dlo ?
Dinwiddie?

The two key guards I want starting by end of season are AR and Max. Gabe and Bronny can be our bench with a question mark on Dlo and Dinwiddie. If Dlo opts in, then we have him until trading deadline to decide how to move forward with him and if we need to make a change here.

Of course, we can also play wings like Vando, Reddish and Lewis/JHS.

Our guards need to be longer, stronger defenders and playing AR with Dlo is a defensive liability.

[LakersSoul]

AR/Gabe/Bronny
Max/Knecht

That’s a solid group at guard. If we remove Dlo and replace his minutes with Max and Knecht, our defense goes up a lot and our offense doesn’t suffer too much.

We do need a backup center. Was hoping for EDEY or even Holmes but might be okay with Wiseman or Valanciunas.

[Dr Aki]

James Wiseman on a vet min for a year

We get a big body center, he gets exposure

[SlimShady83]

My Reasoning on why I'm choosing Trae for Lakers Star

Assuming AD and Bron will be on the team still, AD 5 and Bron 4 spot.

Lakers have what 2 pics now left? - don't see them trading Knecht? anythings possible

Also while mentioning these stars "IMO" you're going to have to Include 2-3 pics plus of course the salary to match etc.

Donovan Mitchell: Look It's not like I don't want Donovan as much as you guys, I just don't see Cavs trading HIM "To the Lakers" not saying they won't trade him, they could trade him to another team. I still don't see It happening at least not while Bron on Lakers - Cavs also stated they won't trade him to Lakers - Unless of course he demands a trade "To Lakers" which he won't.

So moving on from Donovan the pipe dream

Jerami Grant: On youtube there been talk about Lakers been looking at Grant. I really don't see how he fits In the Lakers line up when you have AD at the 5 and Bron the 4 unless maybe Bron leaves they looking at alternatives - but even then not a good fit next to AD- like the guy though

*** So this leaves us too;

Paul George, Klay Thompson, Demar Derozan

I have not watch much of any of these 3 guys on their current teams, so can't say If they play good Defense or not
I know Klay doesn't though LOL, as for the other two I'm not sure as I don't watch Clipper or Bulls games - unless playing Lakers

These guys are also age of what 34/5 - do you really want to risk losing your 2-3 pics In the hope to win a chip while having Bron? If so great you win a chip with Bron on the team pg/klay/dd, Bron Leaves/Retires then what? you have no pics and older PG/Klay/Demar??? and a unhappy AD only star left who now roughly 33/4 years - while PG/Klay/Demar will be 37/8 years old

PG and Klay are the 2 looking to just looking to get paid BTW

Demar: Is saying he wants to win and out of the 3 If I were to choose 1 It would be Demar.
Non of these 3 are guaranteed to win you a chip with AD/Bron but odds are high - PG Is best fit out of 3 but again just wants to get paid.

Honerable Mentions belong too

Wiggins - don't know how he Is these days or what his worth but don't think you trading pics for him maybe a couple players Rui/gabe or something I don't know but not pics

L. Markkanen - Great shooter and what not, but again you have AD at the 5 Bron at the 4, JJ the new coach already talked about Bron playing off ball more - does this help Bron playing off ball more? I think not.

So this IMO leaves us with...

Zach Lavine; 29 years. I like Zach always have, but Is he relaible? Is he worth giving 2-3 pics and salary's to match for. He will be what 32/3 when Bron Retires, you won't be able to get any pics back from him - How Is his Defense???

Trae Young: 25/6 years old ... All star guard not afraid of the big lights and taking big shots - can give you 20-5-5 any given night of the week. Even on a off night of shooting still gives you 10ast 5 reb a game. Sure he might not provide Defense but out of all the names above who does It better other then Donovan which not happening?

Another thing to look at Is... Trae Is 25/6 years When Bron leaves/retires and AD Isn't happy OR wants out and you don't want to roll with Trae, Trae will be what 28/9 years old and still worth It to get some pics back at that age IMO.

5) AD 4)Bron SF) Vando SG)Reaves PG) Trae

What Is Trae worth? Need to keep Vando/Reaves IMO

And are the others worth giving your pics away for a chip while having Bron. Only to be rebuilding after Bron because others were to old etc?.

Are there any other stars I've forgotten feel free to quote Just naming a few.
Grammar spelling not the best and had afew drinks my friday but hope you all feel where I'm going with this

Peace out Rabbit:)