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

[Homer38]

I don't think Turner is possible...I don't think the pacers will trade him

[Mos_Heat]

There's nothing to assess, the answer is clear. They still match up badly against Jokic and highly depended on AD's health.

I think Kessler and Sexton are really intriguing if they can do it for 27' 1-4 + uprotected 29 + a swap I would think about it long and hard

Would balance the roster but as flawed as Rui idk if I would be willing to part with him for two unproven guys. I'm especially lukewarm on Sexton, not sure he's a playoff guy. Both Sexton and Kessler look good on EPM though.

Reaves/Sexton/Vincent
Christie/Knecht
DFS/Vando/Reddish
LBJ/Wood
AD/Kessler/Hayes

I guess that's better than what we currently have if Sexton isn't a total sieve defensively

We’re definitely not giving up Rui and all those draft assets in the Utah deal

It would be Vincent and Vando or Vincent, Wood, JHS, Milton works on trade machine

I don’t think we can bench Rui with this group, offense would suffer. Need his shot making and scoring in post and fast break that DFS doesn’t offer

We for sure still need a backup 5

The question is can we get one that can also play with AD and play defense? Not many I can even think of

Myles Turner would be nice
Jalen Smith from Chicago is more of a Wood upgrade and can play backup C. But still need to think about a Jokic matchup

Would be interested to get defense data on Vuc and Olynk. Don’t think they would help the defense, but maybe I can be pleasantly surprised

The dream would be a big like Turner and then Lonzo gets bought out

Vincent+Jhs+Wood+Cam+29 1st and 2 2nds for Turner

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, Vando, DFS, Turner

Lakers can't sign anyone who's earning more than Non tax MLE in any buyout scenario

[zimpy27]

There's nothing to assess, the answer is clear. They still match up badly against Jokic and highly depended on AD's health.

I think Kessler and Sexton are really intriguing if they can do it for 27' 1-4 + uprotected 29 + a swap I would think about it long and hard

Would balance the roster but as flawed as Rui idk if I would be willing to part with him for two unproven guys. I'm especially lukewarm on Sexton, not sure he's a playoff guy. Both Sexton and Kessler look good on EPM though.

Reaves/Sexton/Vincent
Christie/Knecht
DFS/Vando/Reddish
LBJ/Wood
AD/Kessler/Hayes

I guess that's better than what we currently have if Sexton isn't a total sieve defensively

We’re definitely not giving up Rui and all those draft assets in the Utah deal

It would be Vincent and Vando or Vincent, Wood, JHS, Milton works on trade machine

I don’t think we can bench Rui with this group, offense would suffer. Need his shot making and scoring in post and fast break that DFS doesn’t offer

We for sure still need a backup 5

The question is can we get one that can also play with AD and play defense? Not many I can even think of

Myles Turner would be nice
Jalen Smith from Chicago is more of a Wood upgrade and can play backup C. But still need to think about a Jokic matchup

Would be interested to get defense data on Vuc and Olynk. Don’t think they would help the defense, but maybe I can be pleasantly surprised

The dream would be a big like Turner and then Lonzo gets bought out

Vincent+Jhs+Wood+Cam+29 1st and 2 2nds for Turner

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, Vando, DFS, Turner

There is data to suggest that Olynyk does a decent job on Jokic.

I think he'd be a good target for not much value.

[nzahir]

Would balance the roster but as flawed as Rui idk if I would be willing to part with him for two unproven guys. I'm especially lukewarm on Sexton, not sure he's a playoff guy. Both Sexton and Kessler look good on EPM though.

Reaves/Sexton/Vincent
Christie/Knecht
DFS/Vando/Reddish
LBJ/Wood
AD/Kessler/Hayes

I guess that's better than what we currently have if Sexton isn't a total sieve defensively

We’re definitely not giving up Rui and all those draft assets in the Utah deal

It would be Vincent and Vando or Vincent, Wood, JHS, Milton works on trade machine

I don’t think we can bench Rui with this group, offense would suffer. Need his shot making and scoring in post and fast break that DFS doesn’t offer

We for sure still need a backup 5

The question is can we get one that can also play with AD and play defense? Not many I can even think of

Myles Turner would be nice
Jalen Smith from Chicago is more of a Wood upgrade and can play backup C. But still need to think about a Jokic matchup

Would be interested to get defense data on Vuc and Olynk. Don’t think they would help the defense, but maybe I can be pleasantly surprised

The dream would be a big like Turner and then Lonzo gets bought out

Vincent+Jhs+Wood+Cam+29 1st and 2 2nds for Turner

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, Vando, DFS, Turner

Lakers can't sign anyone who's earning more than Non tax MLE in any buyout scenario

Ah darn

This is where losing Dlo’s salary hurts

Wonder if we could get Zo/Brown+Kessler and keep 2031

Unprotect 27, 29 1st lightly protected, 2nds and swap 28 with some protections?

Vincent and Vando go

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, DFS, Wood?, Kessler

[Ian Scuffling]

Lebron's looking mortal so far this season in terms of his scoring, but his overall game is still there. And the fact that he's scoring in the mid-20s on over league-average efficiency while still rebounding and rocking 9 apg at this age is also WILD. Like, if he wasn't Lebron, even as a slightly above-average scorer, that's still pretty excellent production. And that is what passes as "looking mortal" for him.

Damn.

Still mad he went and ruined his efficiency sleepwalking through that 6 game stretch. Reddick said they had a long talk about it so he has thankfully stopped chucking, turning the ball over and giving low energy. Commend the effort but shooting to play 82 games was always a bad idea.

We'll see what happens with the remainder of the season, but literally anything he does is gravy at this point. LA doesn't have a competitive roster, and he's 40. It's just time to enjoy whatever's left of his storied career.

That's been my mantra this season. The fact that fans and haters alike still "rely" on him so much for this Lakers' squad success/failure is testament to how high they all still hold him. Fans are sometimes lost in their fandom, so whatever, it's harmless, but that the haters still have him on this pedestal just defeats their fake reasons for "hating" him. They're admitting that he's that damned good. Still. It's Crazy.

[falcolombardi]

Still mad he went and ruined his efficiency sleepwalking through that 6 game stretch. Reddick said they had a long talk about it so he has thankfully stopped chucking, turning the ball over and giving low energy. Commend the effort but shooting to play 82 games was always a bad idea.

We'll see what happens with the remainder of the season, but literally anything he does is gravy at this point. LA doesn't have a competitive roster, and he's 40. It's just time to enjoy whatever's left of his storied career.

That's been my mantra this season. The fact that fans and haters alike still "rely" on him so much for this Lakers' squad success/failure is testament to how high they all still hold him. Fans are sometimes lost in their fandom, so whatever, it's harmless, but that the haters still have him on this pedestal just defeats their fake reasons for "hating" him. They're admitting that he's that damned good. Still. It's Crazy.

I joke that he is held to higher standards at 39 and soon 40 than jokic is at his peak and i am probably not too far off

[zimpy27]

We’re definitely not giving up Rui and all those draft assets in the Utah deal

It would be Vincent and Vando or Vincent, Wood, JHS, Milton works on trade machine

I don’t think we can bench Rui with this group, offense would suffer. Need his shot making and scoring in post and fast break that DFS doesn’t offer

We for sure still need a backup 5

The question is can we get one that can also play with AD and play defense? Not many I can even think of

Myles Turner would be nice
Jalen Smith from Chicago is more of a Wood upgrade and can play backup C. But still need to think about a Jokic matchup

Would be interested to get defense data on Vuc and Olynk. Don’t think they would help the defense, but maybe I can be pleasantly surprised

The dream would be a big like Turner and then Lonzo gets bought out

Vincent+Jhs+Wood+Cam+29 1st and 2 2nds for Turner

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, Vando, DFS, Turner

Lakers can't sign anyone who's earning more than Non tax MLE in any buyout scenario

Ah darn

This is where losing Dlo’s salary hurts

Wonder if we could get Zo/Brown+Kessler and keep 2031

Unprotect 27, 29 1st lightly protected, 2nds and swap 28 with some protections?

Vincent and Vando go

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, DFS, Wood?, Kessler

Lakers could send Vincent or Vando with SRPs to Wizards or Pistons and get nothing in return.

They would drop $2m.under 1st apron and be able to accept any buyout player

[nzahir]

Would balance the roster but as flawed as Rui idk if I would be willing to part with him for two unproven guys. I'm especially lukewarm on Sexton, not sure he's a playoff guy. Both Sexton and Kessler look good on EPM though.

Reaves/Sexton/Vincent
Christie/Knecht
DFS/Vando/Reddish
LBJ/Wood
AD/Kessler/Hayes

I guess that's better than what we currently have if Sexton isn't a total sieve defensively

We’re definitely not giving up Rui and all those draft assets in the Utah deal

It would be Vincent and Vando or Vincent, Wood, JHS, Milton works on trade machine

I don’t think we can bench Rui with this group, offense would suffer. Need his shot making and scoring in post and fast break that DFS doesn’t offer

We for sure still need a backup 5

The question is can we get one that can also play with AD and play defense? Not many I can even think of

Myles Turner would be nice
Jalen Smith from Chicago is more of a Wood upgrade and can play backup C. But still need to think about a Jokic matchup

Would be interested to get defense data on Vuc and Olynk. Don’t think they would help the defense, but maybe I can be pleasantly surprised

The dream would be a big like Turner and then Lonzo gets bought out

Vincent+Jhs+Wood+Cam+29 1st and 2 2nds for Turner

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, Vando, DFS, Turner

There is data to suggest that Olynyk does a decent job on Jokic.

I think he'd be a good target for not much value.

Sample probably too small

Kelly is a smart defender but not physically gifted

Offensively a solid fit though

If the option is Kelly/Vuc or nothing though, you take it

[zimpy27]

We’re definitely not giving up Rui and all those draft assets in the Utah deal

It would be Vincent and Vando or Vincent, Wood, JHS, Milton works on trade machine

I don’t think we can bench Rui with this group, offense would suffer. Need his shot making and scoring in post and fast break that DFS doesn’t offer

We for sure still need a backup 5

The question is can we get one that can also play with AD and play defense? Not many I can even think of

Myles Turner would be nice
Jalen Smith from Chicago is more of a Wood upgrade and can play backup C. But still need to think about a Jokic matchup

Would be interested to get defense data on Vuc and Olynk. Don’t think they would help the defense, but maybe I can be pleasantly surprised

The dream would be a big like Turner and then Lonzo gets bought out

Vincent+Jhs+Wood+Cam+29 1st and 2 2nds for Turner

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, Vando, DFS, Turner

There is data to suggest that Olynyk does a decent job on Jokic.

I think he'd be a good target for not much value.

Sample probably too small

Kelly is a smart defender but not physically gifted

Offensively a solid fit though

If the option is Kelly/Vuc or nothing though, you take it

Smart is what you need on Jokic, not physically gifted. The time of Dwight-type guys impacting Jokic was over in 2022.

I think Olynyk is a strong fit, so is Bruce Brown

[dcstanley]

Lakers don't really need a center of that archetype. I would rather get a great rim protector that can play 15-20ish minutes a game than an offensive oriented center that can play with AD but doesn't really juice the defense. I think the frontcourt is fine outside of backup center. Kessler or R-Will give the Lakers a borderline elite defensive big on the floor at all times and even fit better offensively with AD than say a non-shooting wing like Vando.

[The Master]

Lakers don't really need a center of that archetype. I would rather get a great rim protector that can play 15-20ish minutes a game than an offensive oriented center that can play with AD but doesn't really juice the defense. I think the frontcourt is fine outside of backup center. Kessler or R-Will give the Lakers a borderline elite defensive big on the floor at all times and even fit better offensively with AD than say a non-shooting wing like Vando.

Yeah, it's hilarious Lakers had amazing flexibility with AD-Dwight-McGee frontcourt in the '20 playoffs, playing small/big lineups matchup-dependent, and then couldn't find a proper big man for several seasons to copy that. But I guess the question is which big man can be acquired, and for what price.

Reaves, Milton, Christie
Knecht, DFS, Hachimura, LeBron
AD

One serviceable big man for 20 minutes, one ballhandler, health and LeBron '24, and it could be legit.

[nzahir]

There is data to suggest that Olynyk does a decent job on Jokic.

I think he'd be a good target for not much value.

Sample probably too small

Kelly is a smart defender but not physically gifted

Offensively a solid fit though

If the option is Kelly/Vuc or nothing though, you take it

Smart is what you need on Jokic, not physically gifted. The time of Dwight-type guys impacting Jokic was over in 2022.

I think Olynyk is a strong fit, so is Bruce Brown

Still think I rather get a very good defensive C and have a top 10 defense and good rim protection all game long

Our starting 5 has a very good net rating.

Read on Twitter

/photo/1

I don’t see a move to upgrade at the SG or SF spot. Does anyone else?

If not, then push in the chips for a C and backup guard

Build around the defensive identity since our offense is somewhat capped with our team I thank. Have a great bench to keep or add into leads

Not enough elite shooting and arguably don’t have a top 10 offensive weapon

If we trade for Kessler, I don’t see much of a fit for Vando

If we trade for Vuc or Olynk, then we need to keep Vando

Also not sure if Gabe or Milton are #3 guards at this point

Team construction at least making sense here and we’re close to actually maybe being a contender

But Rob needs to make the right move/moves

[zimpy27]

Sample probably too small

Kelly is a smart defender but not physically gifted

Offensively a solid fit though

If the option is Kelly/Vuc or nothing though, you take it

Smart is what you need on Jokic, not physically gifted. The time of Dwight-type guys impacting Jokic was over in 2022.

I think Olynyk is a strong fit, so is Bruce Brown

Still think I rather get a very good defensive C and have a top 10 defense and good rim protection all game long

Our starting 5 has a very good net rating.

Read on Twitter

/photo/1

I don’t see a move to upgrade at the SG or SF spot. Does anyone else?

If not, then push in the chips for a C and backup guard

Build around the defensive identity since our offense is somewhat capped with our team I thank. Have a great bench to keep or add into leads

Not enough elite shooting and arguably don’t have a top 10 offensive weapon

If we trade for Kessler, I don’t see much of a fit for Vando

If we trade for Vuc or Olynk, then we need to keep Vando

Also not sure if Gabe or Milton are #3 guards at this point

Team construction at least making sense here and we’re close to actually maybe being a contender

But Rob needs to make the right move/moves

Yeah starting guys aren't going anywhere with the way they are working.

The upgrade of the bench is that lakers now have DFS and potentially Shake. Now we need to see Vando and Wood return. DFS, Vando, Wood could be a decent 3-5 with LeBron. I do recall that LeBron and Wood had some great lineups.

[trickshot]

It's peachy. Team wasn't losing games because of the starting lineup away, it was having no closing combinations. All the games that were blowouts ended up coming down to the last possession. With DFS the likes of Rui, Knecht and Reaves can be out there for what they should be doing not how well they pair with Dlo. They also can create their own shot so Dlo had never been more redundant.

[LesGrossman]

We'll see what happens with the remainder of the season, but literally anything he does is gravy at this point. LA doesn't have a competitive roster, and he's 40. It's just time to enjoy whatever's left of his storied career.

That's been my mantra this season. The fact that fans and haters alike still "rely" on him so much for this Lakers' squad success/failure is testament to how high they all still hold him. Fans are sometimes lost in their fandom, so whatever, it's harmless, but that the haters still have him on this pedestal just defeats their fake reasons for "hating" him. They're admitting that he's that damned good. Still. It's Crazy.

I joke that he is held to higher standards at 39 and soon 40 than jokic is at his peak and i am probably not too far off

Well can you share a link where Jokic claims to be the best player to ever play, the greatest of all time? Because that is what Bron claimed. Should i post a link?

If you put yourself on that pedestal you are held to higher standards of course. Only today in wiretap he was quoted as saying“could probably play 5-7 more years on this high level“. Can’t expect that to be left uncommented.

[zimpy27]

It's peachy. Team wasn't losing games because of the starting lineup away, it was having no closing combinations. All the games that were blowouts ended up coming down to the last possession. With DFS the likes of Rui, Knecht and Reaves can be out there for what they should be doing not how well they pair with Dlo. They also can create their own shot so Dlo had never been more redundant.

They are certainly set on the wings with Reaves, Christie, Knecht, DFS, Vando, Rui, LeBron.

They just need a backup G and C for 20 minutes total.

[trickshot]

It's peachy. Team wasn't losing games because of the starting lineup away, it was having no closing combinations. All the games that were blowouts ended up coming down to the last possession. With DFS the likes of Rui, Knecht and Reaves can be out there for what they should be doing not how well they pair with Dlo. They also can create their own shot so Dlo had never been more redundant.

They are certainly set on the wings with Reaves, Christie, Knecht, DFS, Vando, Rui, LeBron.

They just need a backup G and C for 20 minutes total.

I think to an extent you need to be willing to accept the tradeoff that the bench initiator role is going to take a permanent dive with Dlo gone. Lebron/AR/AD are going to fill the gap by committee especially Reaves but it's difficult to replace that facet of dlos game midseason. The way Wolves got Conley comes to mind but that was luck. The reason I say it's worth it is Reddick's offense doesn't really need a high usage initiator at the point of attack.

Unrelated but for people wondering, Dlo having the highest net rating was also an illusion. He played heavily protected minutes. In reality Reddick benches him during the toughest parts of the game or when he started being himself. He was also almost always the first one off once team started targeting him. He was getting phased out already.

[zimpy27]

Lakers don't really need a center of that archetype. I would rather get a great rim protector that can play 15-20ish minutes a game than an offensive oriented center that can play with AD but doesn't really juice the defense. I think the frontcourt is fine outside of backup center. Kessler or R-Will give the Lakers a borderline elite defensive big on the floor at all times and even fit better offensively with AD than say a non-shooting wing like Vando.

Yeah, it's hilarious Lakers had amazing flexibility with AD-Dwight-McGee frontcourt in the '20 playoffs, playing small/big lineups matchup-dependent, and then couldn't find a proper big man for several seasons to copy that. But I guess the question is which big man can be acquired, and for what price.

Reaves, Milton, Christie
Knecht, DFS, Hachimura, LeBron
AD

One serviceable big man for 20 minutes, one ballhandler, health and LeBron '24, and it could be legit.

A lot has changed in a few seasons. LeBron is not the same guy to play SF and defend the perimeter all game.

[zimpy27]

It's peachy. Team wasn't losing games because of the starting lineup away, it was having no closing combinations. All the games that were blowouts ended up coming down to the last possession. With DFS the likes of Rui, Knecht and Reaves can be out there for what they should be doing not how well they pair with Dlo. They also can create their own shot so Dlo had never been more redundant.

They are certainly set on the wings with Reaves, Christie, Knecht, DFS, Vando, Rui, LeBron.

They just need a backup G and C for 20 minutes total.

I think to an extent you need to be willing to accept the tradeoff that the bench initiator role is going to take a permanent dive with Dlo gone. Lebron/AR/AD are going to fill the gap by committee especially Reaves but it's difficult to replace that facet of dlos game midseason. The way Wolves got Conley comes to mind but that was luck. The reason I say it's worth it is Reddick's offense doesn't really need a high usage initiator at the point of attack.

Unrelated but for people wondering, Dlo having the highest net rating was also an illusion. He played heavily protected minutes. In reality Reddick benches him during the toughest parts of the game or when he started being himself. He was also almost always the first one off once team started targeting him. He was getting phased out already.

On one hand you understand this about Redicks offense not needing a traditional point guard, on the other hand you don't understand why replacing Rui with a non-perimeter C would be a problem.

[homecourtloss]

That's been my mantra this season. The fact that fans and haters alike still "rely" on him so much for this Lakers' squad success/failure is testament to how high they all still hold him. Fans are sometimes lost in their fandom, so whatever, it's harmless, but that the haters still have him on this pedestal just defeats their fake reasons for "hating" him. They're admitting that he's that damned good. Still. It's Crazy.

I joke that he is held to higher standards at 39 and soon 40 than jokic is at his peak and i am probably not too far off

Well can you share a link where Jokic claims to be the best player to ever play, the greatest of all time? Because that is what Bron claimed. Should i post a link?

If you put yourself on that pedestal you are held to higher standards of course. Only today in wiretap he was quoted as saying“could probably play 5-7 more years on this high level“. Can’t expect that to be left uncommented.

Imagine spending half your life hating a player lmaoo