LeBron for Beal, can you make it work?

Post #1 » by **penbeast0** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 5:55 pm

Salaries are close but not close enough and with the apron rules, I can't quite make it work. Of course, LeBron and Beal would have to agree.

Phoenix would also have to give up at least its two remaining future 1sts of course but this lets LA start to build around Luka rather than trying to play two players together that have similar strengths when one is already 40 years old. For Phoenix and LeBron it maximizes the remaining window of aging ATGs LeBron and Durant.

Post #2 » by **jbk1234** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 5:56 pm

I don't hate it.

Post #3 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:00 pm

LA shouldn't want to saddle Luka with Beal when they are LA and can lure stars.

Post #4 » by **gswhoops** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:03 pm

What's the theory here, because they ripped Dallas off they now have to let themselves be ripped off to balance the karmic scales?

Post #5 » by **jbk1234** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:04 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:LA shouldn't want to saddle Luka with Beal when they are LA and can lure stars.

If LBJ opts in this summer, and I have to think there's a really good chance he does, then Luka's getting saddled either way.

Post #6 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:06 pm

jbk1234 wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:LA shouldn't want to saddle Luka with Beal when they are LA and can lure stars.

If LBJ opts in this summer, and I have to think there's a really good chance he does, then Luka's getting saddled either way.

Lebron is still a better player than Beal. And its one less year.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #7 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:07 pm

jbk1234 wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:LA shouldn't want to saddle Luka with Beal when they are LA and can lure stars.

If LBJ opts in this summer, and I have to think there's a really good chance he does, then Luka's getting saddled either way.

LeBron is a 20 player in the regular season and likely Top 10 or higher in the post-season. Beal isn't close to that.

Post #8 » by **jbk1234** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:09 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:
jbk1234 wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:LA shouldn't want to saddle Luka with Beal when they are LA and can lure stars.

If LBJ opts in this summer, and I have to think there's a really good chance he does, then Luka's getting saddled either way.

Lebron is still a better player than Beal. And its one less year.

A -8.7 on/off is pretty close to end-of-road Dirk territory.

Bentley1225 · Post #9 » by **Bentley1225** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:19 pm

The Lakers Im sure want to create maximum flexibility for 2026 off-season when you look at their books. The Lakers are building for 2026-2027. If they can deal Reaves for a starting big in off-season on a 1 year deal remaining and then re-tool around Luka for 2026 off-season, I think the Lakers want to stay flexible while maximizing their competitiveness. That rules out Beal.

giberish · Post #10 » by **giberish** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:29 pm

jbk1234 wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
jbk1234 wrote:
If LBJ opts in this summer, and I have to think there's a really good chance he does, then Luka's getting saddled either way.

Lebron is still a better player than Beal. And its one less year.

A -8.7 on/off is pretty close to end-of-road Dirk territory.

Yeah LeBron isn't that guy anymore, and he isn't getting younger or better. But the year shorter is important - and LeBron has extra off-court value that Beal doesn't.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #11 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:31 pm

jbk1234 wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
jbk1234 wrote:
If LBJ opts in this summer, and I have to think there's a really good chance he does, then Luka's getting saddled either way.

Lebron is still a better player than Beal. And its one less year.

A -8.7 on/off is pretty close to end-of-road Dirk territory.

Is On/Off how we judge players on this forum board?

Post #12 » by **Andre Roberstan** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:33 pm

To answer OP's question: no.

Also, absolutely zero chance LA gets enough value from Phoenix to do this. As a Lakers hater I'd love this, but even cooked Bron is someone I'd rather have on my team than Beal right now given the contract situations.

DirtyDez · Post #13 » by **DirtyDez** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:38 pm

If the Lakers do this for Beal/picks they’d have a $57m expiring and four 1sts to trade the summer after next. Of course Beal would have to give up his NTC permanently for the Lakers to entertain 1% of the idea.

Dr Positivity · Post #14 » by **Dr Positivity** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 6:40 pm

How about Lebron for Grayson, Nurkic, O'Neale and multiple 1sts?

OutsidetheNBA · Post #15 » by **OutsidetheNBA** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 7:12 pm

Dr Positivity wrote:How about Lebron for Grayson, Nurkic, O'Neale and multiple 1sts?

Suns can't aggregate.

Post #16 » by **jbk1234** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 7:42 pm

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
jbk1234 wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
Lebron is still a better player than Beal. And its one less year.

A -8.7 on/off is pretty close to end-of-road Dirk territory.

Is On/Off how we judge players on this forum board?

His +/- is also in the negative this season. What's notable is that it's the first time in his 20+ season career that he's been negative in either.

axeman23 · Post #17 » by **axeman23** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 8:10 pm

Yeah, this is basically the Lakers apologizing for getting Luka by being saddled with Beal. And even if you include those 2 "worst of" picks, they're unlikely to turn up anything meaningful, likely in the LATE 20's...

jayjaysee · Post #18 » by **jayjaysee** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 8:23 pm

Beal would have to agree to decline his player option for this to make any sense. And that is never happening right..

kobe_vs_jordan · Post #19 » by **kobe_vs_jordan** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 8:26 pm

I want Dunn , 2031 unprotected and Beal to decline his option.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #20 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 8:28 pm

jbk1234 wrote:
ReggiesKnicks wrote:
jbk1234 wrote:
A -8.7 on/off is pretty close to end-of-road Dirk territory.

Is On/Off how we judge players on this forum board?

His +/- is also in the negative this season. What's notable is that it's the first time in his 20+ season career that he's been negative in either.

Now post Beal's!

-6.5 / -11.6 8-)