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

[nzahir]

If my options are Capela for TMLE or Goga/Claxton for a pick, I would choose Capela

I agree.


I would trade for RW3 and get Capela or Horford in FA

I am only okay with Rw3 if we have a C who I can trust to be healthy, Capela will do I guess (but had a hand injury last year for a bit)

And a stretch big

That way if Rw3 goes down, we have another C

Is there a way to get the larger mle and split that with Capela and Horford/Jaylin Williams/Brook? Then trade Maxi and Goodwin/Shake+2nd for Rw3

Luka, ??, Rui, Bron, Capela
Gabe, Reaves, DFS, Jaylin/Horford/Brook, Rw3
Vando

What could we get with Knecht, 1st, and salaries for a solid 2 way guy/defender

[nzahir]

Pelinka asleep at the wheel currently, now Lonzo is gone too

Getting a sense that we won't make any big moves so next summer the Lakers can have 2026, 2031, and 2033 to trade and build around Luka and AR

Unless someone like Kessler or Allen comes along right now (2031 1st, Knecht, swaps), I feel like we will move Knecht or maybe the 2031 1st if the player is young enough to contribute in the future as well

Rumors that we may let DFS walk to open up the full mle, that would be a mistake imo. Not many great FA's. Unless we have the inside track on NAW, but Atlanta can pay him more if they want. DFS+smaller mle>full mle

Ideally Lebron would take a 15M-20M paycut so we can keep DFS and use the full mle, but seems like he will opt in.

List of same realistic names I am thinking of for POA defenders and wings, missing anyone? Centers have all been discussed I feel like

POA defenders:
Marcus Smart
Thybulle
Highwood Highsmith
Kriss Dunn?
Jrue?

FA:
NAW
De'anthony Melton

Wing defenders trade:
Wiggins
Dillon Brooks?
Derrick Jones Jr

FA:
Ben Simmons

With this thought process in mind of not using all of our assets, but needing to upgrade, I wonder if we go Rui+Gabe+Kleber+2nd/28 swap for Ayton+Murray. Then see what Knecht+any combo of salaries (Vando, Murray, Shake) can get you. If we feel like Thybulle can still be good, can also add him in the trade and add Vando, but not sure they would do it. If we were to add Knecht and Vando and keep one of Gabe/Kleber, I would want a 2nd or 2 back

[Mos_Heat]

I think there's a 30-40% chance he will be in Cleveland next year. I've been skeptical about him ever leaving LA, but it seems like there's a shift in his mindset. No one from LA "insiders" think that he's 100% guaranteed to be back

Almost there

[eminence]

Not sure I really get Brook Lopez as a target. I think rim roller to pair with Luka.

Obviously if he's a minimum sort ignore the above.

[Baz]

I really feel for Luka that he is in this spot. He spent years with trash rosters and when he finally got a half decent one they went to the Finals. Hopefully he leaves next year. He could lead a dynasty if he joins a team better suited to compete.

[EmpireFalls]

Their window is completely shut. LeBron should just move onto Cleveland or retire. It’s gonna get ugly this year

[nzahir]

Not sure I really get Brook Lopez as a target. I think rim roller to pair with Luka.

Obviously if he's a minimum sort ignore the above.

Brook off the bench or in a double big lineup can work if the other big is more mobile like Claxton

Would be a way to beat Den

[nzahir]

Their window is completely shut. LeBron should just move onto Cleveland or retire. It’s gonna get ugly this year

Really not sure why Lebron didn’t take a pay cut

Horrific news day so far

No pay cut
He didn’t leave and go to CLE for mle as a surprise
DFS may walk

Pelinka better have some tricks under his sleeve or it’s looking bad

And if they can’t figure it out, then I wonder if there’s a trade

Knicks for KAT?
Cavs for Garland, hunter in a 3 teamer?

[Slava]

That Shams report makes it seem like he either wants to be with the lakers if they can figure out some upgrades or he’s laying the groundwork for a trade to Cleveland centered on Jarrett Allen.

[CKRT]

That Shams report makes it seem like he either wants to be with the lakers if they can figure out some upgrades or he’s laying the groundwork for a trade to Cleveland centered on Jarrett Allen.

Yeah the Shams tweet reads like a trade request to me.

[IG2]

Never cared for him being in LA and would love nothing more than him finishing it off in Cleveland. Don't know how it happens though.

[dcstanley]

I like the fit with New York the best. Plus, the Mecca always seemed like a logical destination for him. LBJ/Bronny for Towns is legal.

Brunson
Bridges
OG
LBJ
Robinson

Mcbride, Hart

Would need to acquire another center and maybe a backup PG but that's a pretty balanced squad.

[thebigbird]

Their window is completely shut. LeBron should just move onto Cleveland or retire. It’s gonna get ugly this year

Really not sure why Lebron didn’t take a pay cut

Horrific news day so far

No pay cut
He didn’t leave and go to CLE for mle as a surprise
DFS may walk

Pelinka better have some tricks under his sleeve or it’s looking bad

And if they can’t figure it out, then I wonder if there’s a trade

Knicks for KAT?
Cavs for Garland, hunter in a 3 teamer?

There’s literally zero reason for him to take a paycut. You think LeBron taking a few million less would make the difference when you’ve got bargain bin Rob Lowe making free agency decisions? Cmon. All it would do would cost LeBron money without moving the needle on the Lakers competing for a title. He should demand a trade to Cleveland. The East is wide open.

[nzahir]

I like the fit with New York the best. Plus, the Mecca always seemed like a logical destination for him. LBJ/Bronny for Towns is legal.

Brunson
Bridges
OG
LBJ
Robinson

Mcbride, Hart

Would need to acquire another center and maybe a backup PG but that's a pretty balanced squad.

Mle for a C

Maybe NY can ask for Knecht back and send some 2nds/swap?

Sign vet pg for vet min

[nzahir]

Their window is completely shut. LeBron should just move onto Cleveland or retire. It’s gonna get ugly this year

Really not sure why Lebron didn’t take a pay cut

Horrific news day so far

No pay cut
He didn’t leave and go to CLE for mle as a surprise
DFS may walk

Pelinka better have some tricks under his sleeve or it’s looking bad

And if they can’t figure it out, then I wonder if there’s a trade

Knicks for KAT?
Cavs for Garland, hunter in a 3 teamer?

There’s literally zero reason for him to take a paycut. You think LeBron taking a few million less would make the difference when you’ve got bargain bin Rob Lowe making free agency decisions? Cmon. All it would do would cost LeBron money without moving the needle on the Lakers competing for a title. He should demand a trade to Cleveland. The East is wide open.

I mean having DFS and a full MLE would be nice and could be a difference maker

But if he wanted out to CLE, he could have taken a huge pay cut and taken the MLE

At this point I'm just praying the Jazz traded for Nurkic because we have a chance at Kessler (Rob should overpay and go Knecht, 31 1st, swap in 28, 30, and 32)

A trade to NY for KAT would be cool, but not realistic

A trade to CLE is also cool, but would they move Garland and Hunter?

I think also need to move Strus to sign other guys and be below 2nd apron (to aggregate guys)

Lonzo, Mitchell, Lebron, Mobley, Allen
Sam Merill, Dean Wade

Feels like they would want a 1st back to package with Wade+filler for a useful rotation guy or two. Or Knecht even

[eminence]

I don't immediately see a way to get him to Cleveland that makes much sense for Cleveland.

[zimpy27]

I don't immediately see a way to get him to Cleveland that makes much sense for Cleveland.

Lakers get Garland+Strus
Nets get Hunter
Cavs get LeBron+Bronny

[falcolombardi]

I don't immediately see a way to get him to Cleveland that makes much sense for Cleveland.

Lakers get Garland+Strus
Nets get Hunter
Cavs get LeBron+Bronny

Unless cavs have completely given up on garland i dont think they trade him for a old lebron rental even if old lebron improves them compared to garland

[nzahir]

I don't immediately see a way to get him to Cleveland that makes much sense for Cleveland.

Lakers get Garland+Strus
Nets get Hunter
Cavs get LeBron+Bronny

Unless cavs have completely given up on garland i dont think they trade him for a old lebron rental even if old lebron improves them compared to garland

Probably correct, but are they good enough to win it all with this core

I think adding Knecht makes it more fair or find a 3rd team to get another piece back or 2031 1st

[zimpy27]

I don't immediately see a way to get him to Cleveland that makes much sense for Cleveland.

Lakers get Garland+Strus
Nets get Hunter
Cavs get LeBron+Bronny

Unless cavs have completely given up on garland i dont think they trade him for a old lebron rental even if old lebron improves them compared to garland

Agree, probably needs FRP and swaps added.