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

[PistolPeteJR]

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)

I agree he won’t, but I also think the Wolves will offer him more than any other team will and he’ll resign.

I think the player that the Wolves should move is Randle, but Taylor won’t do it, he’ll want to save face.

[thebigbird]

The more I think about it, the more I think this trade could actually be a good thing. Sure, the Lakers aren’t going to care as much about LeBron, but they already didn’t when it came to making win now moves. Now they have to. If they don’t, Luka will just walk in free agency. He made the finals last year. He won’t be happy with mediocrity. LeBron and Luka have similar play styles, so pieces that fit with Luka will also fit with Bron.

[zimpy27]

Rui+Vincent+Hayes+LAL28swap for Lonzo+Smith

please please please

[Heej]

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.

Idk man you need as many people as possible that can make plays in space off closeouts and curls

[Movics]

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.

Give me some of that **** you’re smoking because reaves is only better at getting to the line and playmaking. Literally no advanced stat favors Reaves.
https://stathead.com/basketball/versus-finder.cgi?request=1&seasons_type=forall&year_min=2025&year_max=2025&player_id1=reaveau01&player_id2=reidna01

[AEnigma]

Insightful stuff.

[Movics]

Insightful stuff.

So how is Reaves a better player? A Bill Simmons like “he just is” isn’t a valid reason.

It’s ok to be wrong my guy

[AEnigma]

I am not engaging with a Wolves fan who apparently does not understand the value difference between a bad defensive big playing 25 minutes a game and a guard proven as a top three player on a postseason team.

[Movics]

I am not engaging with a Wolves fan whose idea of an argument is to post a two-game head-to-head comparison of box statistics.

Scroll down maybe? Mr knows nothing. Imagine sitting on a high horse and you can’t even scroll down to see what else is there to compare. That’s how seriously you need to be taken. Clown


Austin Reaves is being targeted every game because he’s trash on defense. Reid is literally a net positive defender

[AEnigma]

I am not engaging with a Wolves fan whose idea of an argument is to post a two-game head-to-head comparison of box statistics.

Scroll down maybe? Mr knows nothing

Yeah, Reid’s averages were even worse than I thought. Edited, and thanks for the tip.

[Movics]

I am not engaging with a Wolves fan whose idea of an argument is to post a two-game head-to-head comparison of box statistics.

Scroll down maybe? Mr knows nothing

Yeah, Reid’s averages were even worse than I thought. Edited, and thanks for the tip.

just say you don’t watch basketball

[AEnigma]

Truly only the finest minds would follow up a stathead link with a retort about “watching basketball”.

[TroubleS0me]

Read on Twitter

[Movics]

Truly only the finest minds would follow up a stathead link with a retort about “watching basketball”.

You must be one of those experts that think box score stats tell everything. Still 0 arguments for Reaves being a better player that’s factual and not an opinion. Go watch more soccer. Easier to understand

[AEnigma]

Please tell me more about how much I love boxscores Mr. Stathead.

[EmpireFalls]

The Lakers are very obviously worse. I don’t know why you guys are talking about them as if they are some sort of serious playoff team. I’d put much more on them losing in the play-in and missing the playoffs than actually winning a playoff series.

[Movics]

Yeah, Reid’s averages were even worse than I thought. Edited, and thanks for the tip.

Please tell me more about how much I love boxscores Mr. Stathead.

Since every advanced stat is better for Reid, you must be in love with box score stats. 0 understand of the sport of basketball that you clearly seldomly watch. Or not these two teams for sure
Still 0 arguments provided why Reaves is a better player overall

You clearly didn’t watch the Nuggets-Wolves series last year because you would’ve seen Reid guarding Jokic better than anyone in the league in the last handful of season. A bad defender can’t do that. Reaves never locked down a superstar perimeter player. He’s being targeted in pick n rolls every damn possession… he’s only playable because he’s good on offense. Reid positively affects both sides of the floor.

[TheGOATRises007]

The Lakers are very obviously worse. I don’t know why you guys are talking about them as if they are some sort of serious playoff team. I’d put much more on them losing in the play-in and missing the playoffs than actually winning a playoff series.

As it stands, their roster is flawed.

If they bring in a player or two that provide rim protection, they are a scary team.

The Mavs made the finals with Luka and a co-star plus defense and shooting. LeBron is better than Kyrie and Luka might level up from being pissed off.

[EmpireFalls]

Lebron Luka Reaves perimeter defense lol lol lol lol

[The High Cyde]

I’m glad Zimpy called this trade lmao all that hard work thinking of trades pays off!