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

[tsherkin]

Lol Lebron has 1-3 year left, so it kinda now or never....unless he goes elsewhere after

I agree, I just don't see the path back to contention with their resources and their GM.

[nzahir]

Did the lakers even try to get buddy?


Their reluctancy to get shooters around lebron is annoying.

Rumor was we did, but who knows I dont trust Rob that much

I dont mind getting shooters, but need 2 way guys

[nzahir]

Lol Lebron has 1-3 year left, so it kinda now or never....unless he goes elsewhere after

I agree, I just don't see the path back to contention with their resources and their GM.

FO is a disgrace rn

Post Russ trade it seems like we are too scared to make any decently sized moves

I still think we can contend, but we need to push in some chips

There is no point of being a 7-10 seed

When you have 2 guys who are for sure in the top 15, and can argue both are in the later of the top 10, you should be going for it

In the playoffs who would you take over Bron still?

The list is small for me. Its for sure Jokic and Luka (who has been a bad defender for most of the time, Bron never would get targeted like he did even at this point imo)

Maybe Giannis, but he has had some meh moments and can be stopped easier

Embiid has constantly choked or been hurt

SGA maybe, but a bit young. Probably moves up a step this year

Not Ant yet

Kawhi is never healthy

Not KD, not Booker, not Curry

Boston just won with Tatum and Brown as their top guys. Bron is better than both still in the playoffs

There is no way for us to become a bonafide favorite I think, getting PG was probably the only shot at that, but we can be in the mix

Getting a playoff calibar wing or guard and a decent C is the least we can do

[tsherkin]

In the playoffs who would you take over Bron still?

A shockingly small list. He's a marvel. But he doesn't have the team around him, so it's moot until and unless that changes.

Lebron also doesn't have UBER mode in him anymore, which gives them even less room to wiggle, you know? Which, fair, dude's 40. Not reasonable to expect that from him. Although he was pretty nuts as far as what he did in the first round last year anyway.

[nzahir]

In the playoffs who would you take over Bron still?

A shockingly small list. He's a marvel. But he doesn't have the team around him, so it's moot until and unless that changes.

Lebron also doesn't have UBER mode in him anymore, which gives them even less room to wiggle, you know? Which, fair, dude's 40. Not reasonable to expect that from him. Although he was pretty nuts as far as what he did in the first round last year anyway.

So you agree that we have a top tier guy in the playoffs...

Where we disagree is the assets. I think 2 1sts, 3 swaps, JHS, and moveable contracts should be able to get you real pieces

[PistolPeteJR]

Why should they draft Buddy when they have Reaves, and now Knecht? Buddy can’t do anything but shoot. Why give up any of their limited assets for him? No point.

[tsherkin]

So you agree that we have a top tier guy in the playoffs...

I agree that you have a top 10 player in the league, sure. But he doesn't have that extra gear anymore. And AD doesn't have takeover scoring ability either. They were a mediocre defense and a mediocre offense last year. And that was with health from LBJ and AD. I don't really see them acquiring difference-makers, certainly not to the extent required to reach a state of contention. They'd need some BIG movers, and they haven't proven capable of acquiring anyone like that since... well, Lebron and AD.

Do they even have their 2025 pick? And regardless, those picks don't mean a lot along what remains of James' career.

Where we disagree is the assets. I think 2 1sts, 3 swaps, JHS, and moveable contracts should be able to get you real pieces

I don't really see how any of that is going to help get them what they really need, to be honest. We do indeed disagree there. I don't see how a bunch fo mediocre picks are going to turn into what is necessary to flip this team from solidly middle-of-the-road at either end into a contention-level offense/defense.

[bastillon]

So you agree that we have a top tier guy in the playoffs...

I agree that you have a top 10 player in the league, sure. But he doesn't have that extra gear anymore. And AD doesn't have takeover scoring ability either. They were a mediocre defense and a mediocre offense last year. And that was with health from LBJ and AD. I don't really see them acquiring difference-makers, certainly not to the extent required to reach a state of contention. They'd need some BIG movers, and they haven't proven capable of acquiring anyone like that since... well, Lebron and AD.

Do they even have their 2025 pick? And regardless, those picks don't mean a lot along what remains of James' career.

Where we disagree is the assets. I think 2 1sts, 3 swaps, JHS, and moveable contracts should be able to get you real pieces

I don't really see how any of that is going to help get them what they really need, to be honest. We do indeed disagree there. I don't see how a bunch fo mediocre picks are going to turn into what is necessary to flip this team from solidly middle-of-the-road at either end into a contention-level offense/defense.

Agree with t-sherk. Lakers are cooked and they have been for years. Ever since LeBron joined the Lakers they avg about 43 wins. Anybody thinking they are contending for a title gotta be delusional. The Lakers will be lucky to make the playoffs.

[nzahir]

So you agree that we have a top tier guy in the playoffs...

I agree that you have a top 10 player in the league, sure. But he doesn't have that extra gear anymore. And AD doesn't have takeover scoring ability either. They were a mediocre defense and a mediocre offense last year. And that was with health from LBJ and AD. I don't really see them acquiring difference-makers, certainly not to the extent required to reach a state of contention. They'd need some BIG movers, and they haven't proven capable of acquiring anyone like that since... well, Lebron and AD.

Do they even have their 2025 pick? And regardless, those picks don't mean a lot along what remains of James' career.

Where we disagree is the assets. I think 2 1sts, 3 swaps, JHS, and moveable contracts should be able to get you real pieces

I don't really see how any of that is going to help get them what they really need, to be honest. We do indeed disagree there. I don't see how a bunch fo mediocre picks are going to turn into what is necessary to flip this team from solidly middle-of-the-road at either end into a contention-level offense/defense.

Agree with t-sherk. Lakers are cooked and they have been for years. Ever since LeBron joined the Lakers they avg about 43 wins. Anybody thinking they are contending for a title gotta be delusional. The Lakers will be lucky to make the playoffs.

We don't have 2025, we only have 2029 and 2031 to trade for now since the Pels own 25 we can't trade 26 (can do a swap) and cant trade 2028 since Utah owns 2027, so another swap

Tradeable 1sts: 2029 and 2031
Swaps: 2026, 2028, 2030
Few 2nds

Young guys: JHS, Knecht

Didnt Boston get guys like Jrue and White for limited assets? Why can't we do anything similar?

Are we really that far off? Maybe we are, but I felt like Denver was the best team in the West last season and we should hve won that series if we had a decent coach, if we had a backup C, and maybe if Vando could have played

I think we have 3 guys I feel comfortable closing with in Bron, AD, and Reaves

Dlo was actually solid vs Memphis and fine vs GS, but Denver has been an issue for him. The issue with Dlo is he actually can help a lot in the reg season, but his value in the playoffs falls

I think Rui is okay, but probably should be your #5 guy in a closing lineup, not a #4. He is also an okay fit due to Lebron being slower now

So I think we need at least 1 more guy who can close games

Would a guy like Miles Bridges + Cam Johnson + a backup C move the needle?

[Mos_Heat]

Nothing about LA screams "contender" when they haven't really established greater depth or the tools which would let them compete against those better teams. They scraped into the playoffs barely ahead of Golden State and Sacramento and lack depth. And they now also have a new coach. Major additions so far are Dalton Knecht and Bronnie James, like... nothing has changed of consequence yet, besides Lebron clarifying his return. And last year had 76 games of AD and 71 of Lebron.

Until they add a third player of consequence, they aren't going to do anything different.

Their 4-10 were so bad that any improvement from Reaves and Rui + more games from Vincent and Vando will be a difference. On the other hand Lebron and AD will probably regres in terms of perfomance and games played. Unless Reddick is a coaching genius they gonna have another fighting for the play in type of season

[tsherkin]

Didnt Boston get guys like Jrue and White for limited assets? Why can't we do anything similar?

Because their management is actually good? And Jrue was acquired for Brogdon, Robert Williams, 2 1st round picks and a trade exception.

Are we really that far off?

Yes.

Dlo was actually solid vs Memphis and fine vs GS

So yeah, he was awful versus Denver in 2024 and 2023. He was not "fine" versus Golden State, he sucked. He couldn't hit from 3 and was a 53% TS guy against a league playoff average of 56.6%. And he wasn't any kind of strong force as a playmaker or defender. And he was only marginally better (and still inefficient) against Memphis.

D'Angelo Russell isn't good, especially in the playoffs. This is known. He isn't even particularly good in the RS. In 2023, he was all right, but that seems more like an outlier than anything else. Counting on him for anything is a mistake, and he has reinforced that year after year. LA needs Reaves to get back closer to his 2023 self if they want him to really help their O. He's young yet, we'll see how he goes. Obviously, 23 was a little much, but he needs to figure out how to draw fouls again. And then support more volume, because the team offense isn't good.

Part of LA's problem is indeed tied up in its frontcourt. They are absolutely roast sheep-corpse on the offensive glass, and they don't protect the ball at an elite level (they're about average), and they don't get second chances and despite shooting generally well from 3, they barely use the shot. They're fast up and down the court, they draw fouls well, they kill it inside the arc, but they're one-and-done and they don't play the possession game well.

You're right in that they had a shot against the Nuggets this season because Denver beyond Jokic sucked ass. And unless something major changes, Denver is looking worse. But they certainly don't have what it takes to deal with Dallas, I doubt they'd beat the Wolves or the Thunder or Suns. Without change, of course.

The question ends up being, who cares about the assets which LA has? Bleh first-round picks and players no one really wants aren't gonna get it done, even if you had a competent GM. That's the concern.

[nzahir]

Didnt Boston get guys like Jrue and White for limited assets? Why can't we do anything similar?

Because their management is actually good? And Jrue was acquired for Brogdon, Robert Williams, 2 1st round picks and a trade exception.

Are we really that far off?

Yes.

Dlo was actually solid vs Memphis and fine vs GS

So yeah, he was awful versus Denver in 2024 and 2023. He was not "fine" versus Golden State, he sucked. He couldn't hit from 3 and was a 53% TS guy against a league playoff average of 56.6%. And he wasn't any kind of strong force as a playmaker or defender. And he was only marginally better (and still inefficient) against Memphis.

D'Angelo Russell isn't good, especially in the playoffs. This is known. He isn't even particularly good in the RS. In 2023, he was all right, but that seems more like an outlier than anything else. Counting on him for anything is a mistake, and he has reinforced that year after year. LA needs Reaves to get back closer to his 2023 self if they want him to really help their O. He's young yet, we'll see how he goes. Obviously, 23 was a little much, but he needs to figure out how to draw fouls again. And then support more volume, because the team offense isn't good.

Part of LA's problem is indeed tied up in its frontcourt. They are absolutely roast sheep-corpse on the offensive glass, and they don't protect the ball at an elite level (they're about average), and they don't get second chances and despite shooting generally well from 3, they barely use the shot. They're fast up and down the court, they draw fouls well, they kill it inside the arc, but they're one-and-done and they don't play the possession game well.

You're right in that they had a shot against the Nuggets this season because Denver beyond Jokic sucked ass. And unless something major changes, Denver is looking worse. But they certainly don't have what it takes to deal with Dallas, I doubt they'd beat the Wolves or the Thunder or Suns. Without change, of course.

The question ends up being, who cares about the assets which LA has? Bleh first-round picks and players no one really wants aren't gonna get it done, even if you had a competent GM. That's the concern.

So Jrue, a tier above any of these guys I am even talking about, was gotten for a GSW 2024 pick (was expected to be worse), a 2029 1st (and Boston should be good for a long time with their young core), an injury prone C in Williams (so thats a negative) and Brogdon (who is solid, but also injry prone, neutral to worth a couple 2nds)

So basically 2 1sts

We have 2 better 1sts since this team may be a disaster in 2029 and 2031

Plus guys like Knecht, JHS, and swaps

Not even bringing up Reaves or Rui here

So its the GM that is horrible then

Dlo rated out ok last year, but vs Mem he had a hgiher efg than AD or Bron. He was like our only threat from 3. But yes you're right only 31% from 3 vs GS

I am ok moving on from DLO, but would then need a replacement gurd like Brogdon, Sexton

I think Vando should help some of those concerns in the frontcourt, but some of it is also buy in and coaching

[zimpy27]

Wood Hayes Reddish, DLo

All 4 had POs and all picked them up which cut down the chance of Lakers to use MLE and BAE..
Monk, Lonnie, Prince were guys Lakers wanted to bring back but only gave a 1 year deal and couldn't.
Christie had to be paid because Ron didn't know you could sign 2nd round pick players to multiple years by using mle.

Meanwhile presti adds in TOs to his deals. If the player isn't good he drops them, if the player is good then her renegotiates their contract on that TO year to pay them more but for a lower year on year average and players sign it because they want to jump from $2m to $10m ASAP.

[nzahir]

Wood Hayes Reddish, DLo

All 4 had POs and all picked them up which cut down the chance of Lakers to use MLE and BAE..
Monk, Lonnie, Prince were guys Lakers wanted to bring back but only gave a 1 year deal and couldn't.
Christie had to be paid because Ron didn't know you could sign 2nd round pick players to multiple years by using mle.

Meanwhile presti adds in TOs to his deals. If the player isn't good he drops them, if the player is good then her renegotiates their contract on that TO year to pay them more but for a lower year on year average and players sign it because they want to jump from $2m to $10m ASAP.

Dlo opting in is fine

Who were we going to get with the mle that was better?

Bron wasn't going to take a paycut for a role guy

Rob does suck at his job though, crazy how bad he is around the margins

Need to strike gold here with a Markennan deal or 2 seperate deals for a wing/guard that can close games and a backup C

[zimpy27]

Wood Hayes Reddish, DLo

All 4 had POs and all picked them up which cut down the chance of Lakers to use MLE and BAE..
Monk, Lonnie, Prince were guys Lakers wanted to bring back but only gave a 1 year deal and couldn't.
Christie had to be paid because Ron didn't know you could sign 2nd round pick players to multiple years by using mle.

Meanwhile presti adds in TOs to his deals. If the player isn't good he drops them, if the player is good then her renegotiates their contract on that TO year to pay them more but for a lower year on year average and players sign it because they want to jump from $2m to $10m ASAP.

Dlo opting in is fine

Who were we going to get with the mle that was better?

Bron wasn't going to take a paycut for a role guy

Rob does suck at his job though, crazy how bad he is around the margins

Need to strike gold here with a Markennan deal or 2 seperate deals for a wing/guard that can close games and a backup C

Maybe something like Melton (MLE), Jalen Smith (BAE), Burks (Min), Prince (Min)

Lakers need to.just get CamJ and DFS with a big Nets trade. DLo, Rui, JHS. Then grab Lowry or Dinwiddie on a minimum.

[dcstanley]

I'm still interested in buying low on Lavine. If he's healthy and plays at the level he was at two years ago he's an excellent fit.

[nzahir]

Wood Hayes Reddish, DLo

All 4 had POs and all picked them up which cut down the chance of Lakers to use MLE and BAE..
Monk, Lonnie, Prince were guys Lakers wanted to bring back but only gave a 1 year deal and couldn't.
Christie had to be paid because Ron didn't know you could sign 2nd round pick players to multiple years by using mle.

Meanwhile presti adds in TOs to his deals. If the player isn't good he drops them, if the player is good then her renegotiates their contract on that TO year to pay them more but for a lower year on year average and players sign it because they want to jump from $2m to $10m ASAP.

Dlo opting in is fine

Who were we going to get with the mle that was better?

Bron wasn't going to take a paycut for a role guy

Rob does suck at his job though, crazy how bad he is around the margins

Need to strike gold here with a Markennan deal or 2 seperate deals for a wing/guard that can close games and a backup C

Maybe something like Melton (MLE), Jalen Smith (BAE), Burks (Min), Prince (Min)

Lakers need to.just get CamJ and DFS with a big Nets trade. DLo, Rui, JHS. Then grab Lowry or Dinwiddie on a minimum.

Are Melton (playoff choker as well) and Jalen Smith (a nice backup C) really better than Dlo?

Having a shot at Burks or bringing back Prince over guys like Reddish and Hayes would have been nice though

[nzahir]

I'm still interested in buying low on Lavine. If he's healthy and plays at the level he was at two years ago he's an excellent fit.

Have you looked at how hard it is to do cap wise?

Whats the trade?

I have posted a few, but likely need to lose Rui and if we do that, who is his replacement?

Lavine at 43m

Need some sort of 3+d wing

Rui, Dlo, Vincent, JHS get you to about 51m. Can add 1 of Hayes or Reddish and get to 53.5m

Maxwell Lewis can get us to like 55ish

Not enough for DFS I believe. Unless theres other ways to get a bit more creative

[zimpy27]

Dlo opting in is fine

Who were we going to get with the mle that was better?

Bron wasn't going to take a paycut for a role guy

Rob does suck at his job though, crazy how bad he is around the margins

Need to strike gold here with a Markennan deal or 2 seperate deals for a wing/guard that can close games and a backup C

Maybe something like Melton (MLE), Jalen Smith (BAE), Burks (Min), Prince (Min)

Lakers need to.just get CamJ and DFS with a big Nets trade. DLo, Rui, JHS. Then grab Lowry or Dinwiddie on a minimum.

Are Melton (playoff choker as well) and Jalen Smith (a nice backup C) really better than Dlo?

Having a shot at Burks or bringing back Prince over guys like Reddish and Hayes would have been nice though

Yes they are

[nzahir]

Well its July 6th.....Bron can sign that contract and make it official. Hoping he takes 1-2m less, don't see why he wouldn't

And we still haven't done anything.....this is a disaster

Better see a deal happen soon

Looks like Demar is going to Sac

So whats somewhat realistically left is

BKN: Cam, DFS, Dayron Sharpe. Interested if its just a 1st for Cam
Chi: Lavine. Interested, but need to then find a cheap wing and tough to do. Maybe Miles Bridges in a 3 way S&T?
Utah: . Kessler and Sexton? 1st for Kessler is fine. Markennan likely too high, but would go all in on him
Por: Grant, Brogdon. Would move a 1st and something small, but not both
Was: Kuzma.....no interest here
Mil: Brook Lopez. Intrigued if its for Rui and we get another wing. But not giving up a 1st here
Orl: WCJ. Interested if its Dlo and something small
Cle: Garland?? Intrigued, but him and Reaves on defense would be poor. And I dont know if Garland is much better than Reaves+salaries (let alone adding picks)

We have worked pretty quietly though the last few years, so it could be a random target we aren't expecting