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

[nzahir]

Biggest gripe here was not keeping Max

Would’ve loved to send Knecht and a swap instead

Funny we somehow have possibly more holes to fix now, but higher ceiling now and later on

I thought Lebron and AD basically had this year as a real shot (after getting an impact C and 3rd ball handler), very slim odds next year

Now Lebron could play for 3-4 more years and have a great shot each year….is 2 more rings on the table??

I say yes

Rui and Kleber need to go. That’s 28m.

Knecht in the right deal. Another 4m

Can always throw in Hayes/Cam or Shake separately

You guys want KCP back?
Keon Ellis not bad, but prefer some more size.

Who is most comparable to Max?

Center: Prefer a lob threat. Not interested in Poetl or Vuc

Capela or Claxton seem to make most sense. RW3 too much of a health risk, we don’t need to take that risk anymore

Kessler is ideal if Utah wants Knecht, 2031, unprotect 27. Swap in 28

Then a lot easier to fill out other positions

[Djoker]

Not sure this trade helps either the Lakers or Mavs right now. You can argue both teams get worse.

Long-term though, this trade makes all sense in the world for the Lakers. Lebron retires either after this or next season (player option) and the rebuild will be a hell of a lot easier now. Other superstars will want in with Luka already there.

[dreamshake]

I agree there are cap legal way to make "pile of junk" for LeBron work, just pointing out that those particular piles don't work, and no pile really has any incentive to LA past Cleveland owing them a favor in the future.

It wouldn't be about Cleveland owing them in the future. It would be about:

1. Honoring LeBron's wishes out of respect for him giving them 7 years of his career and a title. I think Jeanie & Pelinka would love to see an amicable end to his time there. Their first choice is probably him staying and retiring there but if that's no longer what he wants . . .

2. Getting assets for the future. The "pile of junk" includes some decent role players. Cleveland has picks they can include. Could even try to involve more teams if LA would rather have players than draft assets.

Again LeBron has all the leverage. If he doesn't want to stay with the Lakers, is it really better to keep him there against his will, burn your relationship, and get nothing when he leaves/retires? Why not get a couple players/picks and move on?

That said, I think the likeliest scenario is that he stays. But if he did want out, its in LA's best interest to facilitate it IMO.

Disagreed on who has the leverage. The Lakers brand is worth more to LeBron than Brons brand is to LA. They'd replace him with Luka in an instant if he retired tomorrow.

I'm not suggesting he has leverage because of his brand. I'm suggesting it mostly because he has a no trade clause. Pissing off Rich Paul/Klutch also doesn't seem smart. If he wanted to leave, what's the upside of keeping him?

[eminence]

It wouldn't be about Cleveland owing them in the future. It would be about:

1. Honoring LeBron's wishes out of respect for him giving them 7 years of his career and a title. I think Jeanie & Pelinka would love to see an amicable end to his time there. Their first choice is probably him staying and retiring there but if that's no longer what he wants . . .

2. Getting assets for the future. The "pile of junk" includes some decent role players. Cleveland has picks they can include. Could even try to involve more teams if LA would rather have players than draft assets.

Again LeBron has all the leverage. If he doesn't want to stay with the Lakers, is it really better to keep him there against his will, burn your relationship, and get nothing when he leaves/retires? Why not get a couple players/picks and move on?

That said, I think the likeliest scenario is that he stays. But if he did want out, its in LA's best interest to facilitate it IMO.

Disagreed on who has the leverage. The Lakers brand is worth more to LeBron than Brons brand is to LA. They'd replace him with Luka in an instant if he retired tomorrow.

I'm not suggesting he has leverage because of his brand. I'm suggesting it mostly because he has a no trade clause. Pissing off Rich Paul/Klutch also doesn't seem smart. If he wanted to leave, what's the upside of keeping him?

A) LeBron is more useful for the rest of this season than Max Strus and crew (unless your implication is LeBron is going full Jimmy here).

B) Actual cap space in the next two off-seasons (in LA, with Luka) is worth more than a pile of okay role players + at max one future 1st ('31).

[dreamshake]

Disagreed on who has the leverage. The Lakers brand is worth more to LeBron than Brons brand is to LA. They'd replace him with Luka in an instant if he retired tomorrow.

I'm not suggesting he has leverage because of his brand. I'm suggesting it mostly because he has a no trade clause. Pissing off Rich Paul/Klutch also doesn't seem smart. If he wanted to leave, what's the upside of keeping him?

A) LeBron is more useful for the rest of this season than Max Strus and crew (unless your implication is LeBron is going full Jimmy here).

B) Actual cap space in the next two off-seasons (in LA, with Luka) is worth more than a pile of okay role players + at max one future 1st ('31).

A) More useful to what goal? Winning a few more regular season games or maybe 1 playoff round? I don't think they're close to being title contenders or have a way to become one this season.

B) The biggest contract of those role players - LeVert - is expiring. There's also sign & trades, etc.

Regardless, by all reports he plans to stay so its a moot point.

[dcstanley]

Lebron/AD had a chance this year if the team invested in them but as a Lebron fan I would rather roll my dice on Lebron with one of the 3 best players on the planet. Both are smart enough to figure out the fit. Most importantly, the front office will be much more committed to building a contender around Luka than they were around Lebron/AD.

We'll see what happens at the deadline but next season is really where it's at.

[eminence]

I'm not suggesting he has leverage because of his brand. I'm suggesting it mostly because he has a no trade clause. Pissing off Rich Paul/Klutch also doesn't seem smart. If he wanted to leave, what's the upside of keeping him?

A) LeBron is more useful for the rest of this season than Max Strus and crew (unless your implication is LeBron is going full Jimmy here).

B) Actual cap space in the next two off-seasons (in LA, with Luka) is worth more than a pile of okay role players + at max one future 1st ('31).

A) More useful to what goal? Winning a few more regular season games or maybe 1 playoff round? I don't think they're close to being title contenders or have a way to become one this season.

B) The biggest contract of those role players - LeVert - is expiring. There's also sign & trades, etc.

Regardless, by all reports he plans to stay so its a moot point.

Uhh... Making money. Getting Luka onto the court for playoff games this season and on screens around the world is easily worth 100M+ for the Lakers franchise.

[dreamshake]

My only quibble is this, "Their best wins were against Boston and GSW"? Just last night they beat a very good NY team in NY without AD. But, do agree with everything else.

Sure, I guess I was excluding that one since I addressed it in the first comment. It's certainly a good win and better than the GSW one, but was mostly just a hot shooting night. Not something that can lend much predictive value to playoff success.

because my original premise was talking about being competitive while yours was talking about straight up playoff success and title contenders

Ok fair enough. I didn't think it was debatable that they'll still be competitive in the regular season. Of course they will, regardless of whether they make any more moves or not. Having LeBron & Luka (for that matter having LeBron OR Luka) is always going to give you a chance to win a game any given night. I thought the only issue that's debatable is whether that translates into giving you a chance to win a series against the top teams in the league.

[D.Brasco]

I'm hearing LeBron didn't even know this trade was happening. I can't imagine he's that happy about being kept in the dark?

[Dupp]

I'm hearing LeBron didn't even know this trade was happening. I can't imagine he's that happy about being kept in the dark?

Dallas came knocking with this insane deal. No time to mess around.

[NO-KG-AI]

The Lakers had to think it was a prank call ar first right? Lol.

They probably won’t win a title together. Also gonna be funny because the Lakers are going to be far more concerned with Luka’s happiness from this point on than LeBron’s.

[Bank Shot]

Well, this is a thread title I never expected to read. I'll be surprised if they make a serious run this year, but next season should be interesting assuming LeBron doesn't regress too much.

[Ian Scuffling]

Well, this is a thread title I never expected to read. I'll be surprised if they make a serious run this year, but next season should be interesting assuming LeBron doesn't regress too much.

That's the million dollar question. Lebron has held back father time for sure, but the decline is obvious (at least on the defensive side) and they just lost their best defender. The Lakers do not "want", they "NEED" to make a move for a GOOD big man, now. Not just any stiff will do. Curious about their next moves.

[thebigbird]

The Lakers had to think it was a prank call ar first right? Lol.

They probably won’t win a title together. Also gonna be funny because the Lakers are going to be far more concerned with Luka’s happiness from this point on than LeBron’s.

It’s not like they cared about LeBron’s happiness anyway.

[Doug_12]

Thybulle is the poa defender....

No herb isn't gettable for what lakers have unless they trade Reaves.

Rui+Vincent for Thybulle+RW3

I'd rather go all in now and say: Vincent + 2nd for Thybulle and Knecht + unprotect UTA pick + '31 1st for Kessler

Doncic / Milton
Thybulle / Reaves
DFS / Vando / Reddish
Lebron / Rui
Kessler / Hayes

RW3 would be as good as Kessler on the Lakers. Its just his health isn't as good so he's a ton cheaper.

Yeah, but his health is really concerning. AD caused us a lot of trouble with his injury issues in the past years (e.g: '20-21, which arguably lead to the Westbrook trade), RW3 is the same just on steroids. Moreover Kessler is younger (and way cheaper), which would be useful for the post-Lebron era. (Ideally way more than any of our tradable picks).

But I can imagine him being off the table. If yes, I'm fine w/ RW3.

[Fadeaway_J]

I'd rather go all in now and say: Vincent + 2nd for Thybulle and Knecht + unprotect UTA pick + '31 1st for Kessler

Doncic / Milton
Thybulle / Reaves
DFS / Vando / Reddish
Lebron / Rui
Kessler / Hayes

RW3 would be as good as Kessler on the Lakers. Its just his health isn't as good so he's a ton cheaper.

Yeah, but his health is really concerning. AD caused us a lot of trouble with his injury issues in the past years (e.g: '20-21, which arguably lead to the Westbrook trade), RW3 is the same just on steroids. Moreover Kessler is younger (and way cheaper), which would be useful for the post-Lebron era. (Ideally way more than any of our tradable picks).

But I can imagine him being off the table. If yes, I'm fine w/ RW3.

FYI Timelord has missed the last two games with another injury

[NbaAllDay]

The meltdown on the general board is hilarious to read.

People instantly saying the NBA rigged it etc lol.

I think we will find that the reports are pretty accurate. They didn't see Luka brining them a Ring, and they are concerned his work ethic isn't where they want it.

So they take a risk and bring in a win now player.

Long term LA very likely win this trade but the idea that they are doing it with no self interest is laughable.

[TroubleS0me]

Watch on YouTube

[XTC]

Lakers need to go hard after Jakob Poeltl and they could have something special.

Luka
Reaves/Knecht
DFS/Rui
Lebron/JV
Poeltl/Kleber

[eminence]

Lakers need to go hard after Jakob Poeltl and they could have something special.

Luka
Reaves/Knecht
DFS/Rui
Lebron/JV
Poeltl/Kleber

Kleber just had foot surgery like yesterday and is out indefinitely.