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

[picko]

Before the Doncic trade, there were likely very few trades involving Reaves that would have made the Lakers better. He was on an outstanding contract.

Post trade though, there are likely to be trades that make the Lakers better, particularly if Reaves gets marginalised offensively. A third on-ball creator just isn't going to have the same value as a solid interior presence. And there are a fair few decent bigs who might be available if Reaves was available.

[trickshot]

Before the Doncic trade, there were likely very few trades involving Reaves that would have made the Lakers better. He was on an outstanding contract.

Post trade though, there are likely to be trades that make the Lakers better, particularly if Reaves gets marginalised offensively. A third on-ball creator just isn't going to have the same value as a solid interior presence. And there are a fair few decent bigs who might be available if Reaves was available.

You can move him but it's a conversation to be had after trading Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent's 28m. Lakers have other contracts to play with. Trading Reaves at first instance is like rushing to saw the whole damn leg off. Reaves contract is so good you're still getting bargain level value even after he has been marginalised. Reaves' contract is why you can have a third ballhandler and still be able to afford, trade and extend another big.

What the Lakers need is to build one or two legit defensive lineups and have Lebron/Luka pnr, then reverse pnr their way to the basket every possession. (notsrs, but also kinda).

[nzahir]

I'm actually happy with the wing defense and backup big spot with DFS, Vando, Reddish, Kleber, Wood, Hayes

But yeah Rui, Vincent, Knecht for a starting C and a Max Christie replacement are the needs.

If Lakers don't make a move then we're going to be watching Rui at C for the rest of the season. Will work some games and be a disaster others.

Kleber is out for the season I believe.

Damn did not know this. That makes him trade bait then. He can be flipped but not aggregated. So he could only bring back a C or guard defender cheaper than his contract.

We sure Kleber cant be aggregated? If so, guys under 11m that are realsitic:

Nesmith
Jonas V
Luke Kennard
Buddy Hield
Caleb Martin
Jock Landale
Kevon Looney

Other younger guys that are on rookie deals that are higher valued, but would likely cost a 1st, think 1-2 2nds can get some of those guys above and or a protected swap

Center is the most important position to address now, so just depends what else we got in mind

I think we need to see us make a move or two by tomorrow, cant be waiting until the deadline

[PistolPeteJR]

I really think they should try to acquire Kessler by removing the protections off of that 27 and sending their 31.

If that doesn’t work, call Brooklyn for Claxton for the 31 1st and go from there.

[nzahir]

I really think they should try to acquire Kessler by removing the protections off of that 27 and sending their 31.

If that doesn’t work, call Brooklyn for Claxton for the 31 1st and go from there.

The issue with Claxton is 2 fold

1) He makes a lot of $. Need to send out Rui AND Gabe. If we cant figure anything else out, this may be necessary though

2) Hes a bit slim, not sure what we do vs bigger C's like Jokic

A lot also depends on what we can get for Kleber. Hes at 11M, but can be combined with other salaries

Also, would we move Knecht?

Would you guys move Knecht for NaW and 1-2 2nds?

Then Rui+Gabe+very lighlty protected 2031 for Claxton

Maxi+1-2 2nds for another backup C or a guy like Thybulle, Nesmith, Hield, etc

Luka, NaW, DFS, Bron, Claxton
Reaves, Vando, Wood

Backup C or backup pg from Kleber deal......depth is a bit rough

Kessler makes things a LOT easier

If you can do Knecht, unprotect 2027, 2031 1st, and 28 swap, then you do it

Then this is a bit easier

Maxi+2nd for another backup C or try and get Thybulle

Can move Rui+vet min/Gabe

[Doug_12]

I really think they should try to acquire Kessler by removing the protections off of that 27 and sending their 31.

If that doesn’t work, call Brooklyn for Claxton for the 31 1st and go from there.

I like that. It would be something like Rui+Knecht+'31 1st for Claxton right?

Then it's
Vincent / Milton
Doncic / Reaves
DFS / Vando
Lebron / (Wood) / Reddish
Claxton / Hayes

It's pretty good. (Especially if we can flip Vincent for a bigger two way player)

[nzahir]

I really think they should try to acquire Kessler by removing the protections off of that 27 and sending their 31.

If that doesn’t work, call Brooklyn for Claxton for the 31 1st and go from there.

I like that. It would be something like Rui+Knecht+31st for Claxton right?

Then it's
Vincent / Milton
Doncic / Reaves
DFS / Vando
Lebron / (Wood) / Reddish
Claxton / Hayes

It's pretty good. (Especially if we can flip Vincent for a bigger two way player)

Claxton makes 27ishM

It would need to be Rui+Vincent+1st

Can then flip Kleber for someone at 11M or less

Or Knecht for 4m (can also add 1 vet min guy with him)

Or vet min swaps

[AEnigma]

Before the Doncic trade, there were likely very few trades involving Reaves that would have made the Lakers better. He was on an outstanding contract.

Post trade though, there are likely to be trades that make the Lakers better, particularly if Reaves gets marginalised offensively. A third on-ball creator just isn't going to have the same value as a solid interior presence. And there are a fair few decent bigs who might be available if Reaves was available.

Are there? Because I feel like the majority of good starting bigs are treated as comfortably more valuable assets than Reaves (as in, adding a future Lakers pick now that they have Luka is not inherently enough), and the ones which are not go for much less (e.g. for Knecht and a pick). The only two I think could qualify here are Zach Edey, whose projections can vary wildly, and uh Deandre Ayton, who has plenty of role redundancy of his own.

Just running through teams, Wemby, Jokic, Embiid, and Davis are not in this discussion at all. Porzingis is not an option, and Horford should not require Reaves. Towns is not an option, and Robinson should not require Reaves. Sengun is not an option. JJJ is not an option. Brook is probably not as option because of team construction. Gobert is not an option, and Reid should not require Reaves. Sabonis is not an option with the Kings’ current team construction. Turner does not seem to be an option (largely because of team construction). Zubac does not seem to be an option. Bam is not an option. Hartenstein and Chet are not options. Allen is not an option, especially not with the Cavaliers’ team construction. Duran is probably not an option.

In a weird way, seems like the Lakers are well-positioned to push for a potential starter without needing to give up much.

[trickshot]

Also needs a POA defender to replace Max. Gabe and Rui, if traded ideally need to bring back equal or more players in number. That's not even factoring in apron restrictions.

[Movics]

Before the Doncic trade, there were likely very few trades involving Reaves that would have made the Lakers better. He was on an outstanding contract.

Post trade though, there are likely to be trades that make the Lakers better, particularly if Reaves gets marginalised offensively. A third on-ball creator just isn't going to have the same value as a solid interior presence. And there are a fair few decent bigs who might be available if Reaves was available.

Are there? Because I feel like the majority of good starting bigs are treated as comfortably more valuable assets than Reaves (as in, adding a future Lakers pick now that they have Luka is not inherently enough), and the ones which are not go for much less (e.g. for Knecht and a pick). The only two I think could qualify here are Zach Edey, whose projections can vary wildly, and uh Deandre Ayton, who has plenty of role redundancy of his own.

Just running through teams, Wemby, Jokic, Embiid, and Davis are not in this discussion at all. Porzingis is not an option, and Horford should not require Reaves. Towns is not an option, and Robinson should not require Reaves. Sengun is not an option. JJJ is not an option. Brook is probably not as option because of team construction. Gobert is not an option, and Reid should not require Reaves. Sabonis is not an option with the Kings’ current team construction. Turner does not seem to be an option (largely because of team construction). Zubac does not seem to be an option. Bam is not an option. Hartenstein and Chet are not options. Allen is not an option, especially not with the Cavaliers’ team construction. Duran is probably not an option.

In a weird way, seems like the Lakers are well-positioned to push for a potential starter without needing to give up much.

Minnesota would never trade Reid for Reaves.

Capela, Turner, and Kessler are all viable options

[Doug_12]

I really think they should try to acquire Kessler by removing the protections off of that 27 and sending their 31.

If that doesn’t work, call Brooklyn for Claxton for the 31 1st and go from there.

I like that. It would be something like Rui+Knecht+31st for Claxton right?

Then it's
Vincent / Milton
Doncic / Reaves
DFS / Vando
Lebron / (Wood) / Reddish
Claxton / Hayes

It's pretty good. (Especially if we can flip Vincent for a bigger two way player)

Claxton makes 27ishM

It would need to be Rui+Vincent+1st

Can then flip Kleber for someone at 11M or less

Or Knecht for 4m (can also add 1 vet min guy with him)

Or vet min swaps

Yeah, missed that part that Rui and him are that far away in terms of salary... In that case I'd trade Knecht for NAW in a heartbeat, not sure if MIN would do it though.

Isn't Kleber combinable w/ someone? If yes Kleber+Knecht for Thybulle + Murray?

Let's say it's the former, then it's
Doncic / Milton
NAW / Reaves
DFS / Vando
Lebron / (Wood) / Reddish
Claxton / Hayes

I hate the bench though, too vulnerable w/ Milton, Reaves and Wood. (And if you make both Reddish and Vando a regular rotation guy, then you kill your spacing)

[AEnigma]

Before the Doncic trade, there were likely very few trades involving Reaves that would have made the Lakers better. He was on an outstanding contract.

Post trade though, there are likely to be trades that make the Lakers better, particularly if Reaves gets marginalised offensively. A third on-ball creator just isn't going to have the same value as a solid interior presence. And there are a fair few decent bigs who might be available if Reaves was available.

Are there? Because I feel like the majority of good starting bigs are treated as comfortably more valuable assets than Reaves (as in, adding a future Lakers pick now that they have Luka is not inherently enough), and the ones which are not go for much less (e.g. for Knecht and a pick). The only two I think could qualify here are Zach Edey, whose projections can vary wildly, and uh Deandre Ayton, who has plenty of role redundancy of his own.

Just running through teams, Wemby, Jokic, Embiid, and Davis are not in this discussion at all. Porzingis is not an option, and Horford should not require Reaves. Towns is not an option, and Robinson should not require Reaves. Sengun is not an option. JJJ is not an option. Brook is probably not as option because of team construction. Gobert is not an option, and Reid should not require Reaves. Sabonis is not an option with the Kings’ current team construction. Turner does not seem to be an option (largely because of team construction). Zubac does not seem to be an option. Bam is not an option. Hartenstein and Chet are not options. Allen is not an option, especially not with the Cavaliers’ team construction. Duran is probably not an option.

In a weird way, seems like the Lakers are well-positioned to push for a potential starter without needing to give up much.

Minnesota would never trade Reid for Reaves.

Well Reaves is a much better player so that would be a ridiculous denial on their part — but because he is much better, the Lakers would not offer him.

Capela, Turner, and Kessler are all viable options

Capela should not require trading Reaves, Kessler does not merit trading Reaves unless Ainge sends something else of value back (hah), and trading Turner for Reaves makes little sense for the Pacers.

[dcstanley]

Wishlist:
Kleber and second(s) for Looney or Caleb Martin.
Knecht/2027/2031 for Kessler
Wood/Reddish/swaps for NAW

Luka/NAW/LBJ/DFS/Kessler
Vincent/Reaves/Vando/Rui/Looney or Martin

[nzahir]

I like that. It would be something like Rui+Knecht+31st for Claxton right?

Then it's
Vincent / Milton
Doncic / Reaves
DFS / Vando
Lebron / (Wood) / Reddish
Claxton / Hayes

It's pretty good. (Especially if we can flip Vincent for a bigger two way player)

Claxton makes 27ishM

It would need to be Rui+Vincent+1st

Can then flip Kleber for someone at 11M or less

Or Knecht for 4m (can also add 1 vet min guy with him)

Or vet min swaps

Yeah, missed that part that Rui and him are that far away in terms of salary... In that case I'd trade Knecht for NAW in a heartbeat, not sure if MIN would do it though.

Isn't Kleber combinable w/ someone? If yes Kleber+Knecht for Thybulle + Murray?

Let's say it's the former, then it's
Doncic / Milton
NAW / Reaves
DFS / Vando
Lebron / (Wood) / Reddish
Claxton / Hayes

I hate the bench though, too vulnerable w/ Milton, Reaves and Wood. (And if you make both Reddish and Vando a regular rotation guy, then you kill your spacing)

Cant combine Maxi with anyone sadly

Maxi+2nd for Thybulle could work, but would hope for someone better to replace Max

Losing Max really hurts

Wish we could have moved Knecht and a swap instead and they kept Maxi and gave us say Powell (for contracts)

Rui+Gabe+1st for Claxton

Luka, Christie, DFS, Lebron, Claxton
Reaves, Vando, Wood, Powell/Hayes

Use JHS+vet min to go get some depth at the 1-2 and or 2-3 spots

[nzahir]

Danny Ainge reportedly had no idea he was helping the Lakers land Luka Dončić, and by the time he found out, it was too late for him to do anything about it, per
@espn_macmahon

If this is true then I dont see us getting Kessler at all lol

We need a 1/2 who can start next to Luka and be versatile defensively

Max was legit perfect

A guy like KCP or NaW are nice, but Max had more size and length and a solid shooter...

[PistolPeteJR]

Guys I hate to break it to you all, but now that this deal is done, don't expect Knecht to get moved unless it's a significant upgrade for someone that isn't old.

In other words, now that the Lakers have their future face of the franchise post-LeBron, every move they make is going to have to make sense from the standpoint of fit today and tomorrow. So, while NAW would be nice on this team this season, he's an UFA in the offseason, and it would make absolutely no sense whatsoever to move Knecht for him both with the present in mind as well as the future. You also need to keep in mind that Minny is in compete-mode, so he's not moving right now.

The only players you should be looking at are with teams that clearly aren't competing or that will decide to wave the flag on the season by Thursday.

Personally, I wonder what New Orleans says to a deal revolving around Reaves + Knecht for Jones + Murphy. Imagine:

Doncic
Jones
Murphy
James
Kessler

w/ Vando, Vincent, Rui, Hayes off the bench, although I'd then look to move Rui for a guard. Perhaps if Phoenix actually does do the unthinkable and trades KD, then you call Phoenix and see if you can do something like Rui + filler for Grayson Allen + Tyus Jones.

Your bench then becomes Vando, Allen, Jones, Hayes, Vincent, and you can still move Vincent for Valanciunas and filler.

[nzahir]

Guys I hate to break it to you all, but now that this deal is done, don't expect Knecht to get moved unless it's a significant upgrade for someone that isn't old.

In other words, now that the Lakers have their future face of the franchise post-LeBron, every move they make is going to have to make sense from the standpoint of fit today and tomorrow. So, while NAW would be nice on this team this season, he's an UFA in the offseason, and it would make absolutely no sense whatsoever to move Knecht for him both with the present in mind as well as the future. You also need to keep in mind that Minny is in compete-mode, so he's not moving right now.

The only players you should be looking at are with teams that clearly aren't competing or that will decide to wave the flag on the season by Thursday.

Personally, I wonder what New Orleans says to a deal revolving around Reaves + Knecht for Jones + Murphy. Imagine:

Doncic
Jones
Murphy
James
Kessler

w/ Vando, Vincent, Rui, Hayes off the bench, although I'd then look to move Rui for a guard. Perhaps if Phoenix actually does do the unthinkable and trades KD, then you call Phoenix and see if you can do something like Rui + filler for Grayson Allen + Tyus Jones.

Your bench then becomes Vando, Allen, Jones, Hayes, Vincent, and you can still move Vincent for Valanciunas and filler.

I dont see Nola moving Trey, maybe Herb, but doubt it

Also, The Pelicans announced that Herb Jones has suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will be out indefinitely.

I would make that move if possible, but dont see that happening

I think we could move Knecht if the guy is also young, so Kessler or yes one of Herb/Murphy

NaW is also youngish, 26 years old. Yes you need to pay him this summer, but if Lebron stays, he should take a bit paycut so we can really load the decks and compete

The next few nights will show is if Rob is better at his job than we think or if hes truly just a lucky GM who is an idiot

[PistolPeteJR]

Guys I hate to break it to you all, but now that this deal is done, don't expect Knecht to get moved unless it's a significant upgrade for someone that isn't old.

In other words, now that the Lakers have their future face of the franchise post-LeBron, every move they make is going to have to make sense from the standpoint of fit today and tomorrow. So, while NAW would be nice on this team this season, he's an UFA in the offseason, and it would make absolutely no sense whatsoever to move Knecht for him both with the present in mind as well as the future. You also need to keep in mind that Minny is in compete-mode, so he's not moving right now.

The only players you should be looking at are with teams that clearly aren't competing or that will decide to wave the flag on the season by Thursday.

Personally, I wonder what New Orleans says to a deal revolving around Reaves + Knecht for Jones + Murphy. Imagine:

Doncic
Jones
Murphy
James
Kessler

w/ Vando, Vincent, Rui, Hayes off the bench, although I'd then look to move Rui for a guard. Perhaps if Phoenix actually does do the unthinkable and trades KD, then you call Phoenix and see if you can do something like Rui + filler for Grayson Allen + Tyus Jones.

Your bench then becomes Vando, Allen, Jones, Hayes, Vincent, and you can still move Vincent for Valanciunas and filler.

I dont see Nola moving Trey, maybe Herb, but doubt it

Also, The Pelicans announced that Herb Jones has suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will be out indefinitely.

I would make that move if possible, but dont see that happening

I think we could move Knecht if the guy is also young, so Kessler or yes one of Herb/Murphy

NaW is also youngish, 26 years old. Yes you need to pay him this summer, but if Lebron stays, he should take a bit paycut so we can really load the decks and compete

The next few nights will show is if Rob is better at his job than we think or if hes truly just a lucky GM who is an idiot

Personally, I don't move Knecht for NAW given NAW's going to make more money and Knecht is a on rookie contract. It' s just not worth it at all. He has the tools and, seemingly, the attitude and mindset to play on a winning team in the long-run.

I really think that in general, we all need to recalibrate as it pertains to the value a playable, positive impact player on a rookie contract has when it comes to the general makeup of a team. While Knecht's impact hasn't been what it was in October/November, it's only going to get better. He's shown he has what it takes. You don't move that hastily for an expiring role player on a team that isn't ready to compete right now.

[xb3at band1tx]

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No brainer I know, but confirmation hes not going to that GS retirement home haha

[Doug_12]

I would also be less concerned with moving Knecht. Okay, he is on a rookie contract and that's valuable, but apart from that? Is age really that concerning? We could have Luka, Claxton, Reaves, NAW, Vando and Hayes all around 25 and 26 from our regular rotation. They are a nice core without anyone being hugely overpaid. (I also don't think NAW is going to get a huge contract after spending half of the season on the bench of the Wolves and then moving to us to be a role player)