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

[zimpy27]

Adding Simmons and Horford together would be my favourite addition. Then trade Vando+Gabe+Kleber+Knecht for 3+D guards.


Simmons-Reaves-Luka-LeBron-Horford
3+Dguards-LaRavia-Rui-Ayton

[RCM88x]

I don't think it's that complicated. Lakers are just cost conscious. They will take 60% of the player at 50% of the cost any day w/ non stars.

Really a shame they dont value those winning kind of role players

The one time they did in 2020 they won it all (but also Lebron was the best player in the world come playoff time since this was pre injury with Solomon Hill and pre AD injuiries piling up)

DFS deal isn't even guaraneed in year 3....no clue why we didnt bring him back since it wasnt a longer deal. Unless Ayton wasnt going to take 5ihm instead of 8ishm

Sooo whats next?

If Wiggins can be had for 2 expirings (kleber and gabe), Knecht, a swap in whatever year they want, would be great. Can also look to make a swap with a team like OKC this year for a future protected 1st or some 2nds and throw those in to Miami instead of swapping with them

Then sign Melton for 5m, waive Shake

Luka, Reaves, Wiggins, Bron, Ayton
Melton, Laravia, Vando, Rui, Hayes

Other option is see if Portland would take back Vando+expiring+knecht for Thybulle and Rw3

Luka, Reaves, Thybulle, Bron, Ayton
Gabe, Melton, Laravia, Rui, Rw3

Can also go more simple and trade Gabe/Maxi+2nd for Rw3

I think going for high risk high reward guys makes sense if the cost is low. For example, Rw3 for an expiring and a 2nd

IMO the clear and obvious move is to trade Reaves, why? Well, looking at this roster they're obviously not a contender currently, so work down the roster.

Luka, obviously not being moved.

LeBron, potentially but hard to make a deal for a 41 yo in the last year of his deal, just don't see anything happening here until mid season at the earliest.

So we're left with Reaves, he's up for an extension that will likely be an overpay unless he suffers from an injury that results in him getting a lesser deal which is pretty unlikely these days. I don't think he's a guy that'll ever be reliable in the playoffs and is a poor fit with Luka going forward (poor defender, not athletic, similar position offensively).

I don't think anyone else can be moved that really will make a difference this season, not that the Lakers seem interested in going all in this year though.

[zimpy27]

I don't think it's that complicated. Lakers are just cost conscious. They will take 60% of the player at 50% of the cost any day w/ non stars.

Really a shame they dont value those winning kind of role players

The one time they did in 2020 they won it all (but also Lebron was the best player in the world come playoff time since this was pre injury with Solomon Hill and pre AD injuiries piling up)

DFS deal isn't even guaraneed in year 3....no clue why we didnt bring him back since it wasnt a longer deal. Unless Ayton wasnt going to take 5ihm instead of 8ishm

Sooo whats next?

If Wiggins can be had for 2 expirings (kleber and gabe), Knecht, a swap in whatever year they want, would be great. Can also look to make a swap with a team like OKC this year for a future protected 1st or some 2nds and throw those in to Miami instead of swapping with them

Then sign Melton for 5m, waive Shake

Luka, Reaves, Wiggins, Bron, Ayton
Melton, Laravia, Vando, Rui, Hayes

Other option is see if Portland would take back Vando+expiring+knecht for Thybulle and Rw3

Luka, Reaves, Thybulle, Bron, Ayton
Gabe, Melton, Laravia, Rui, Rw3

Can also go more simple and trade Gabe/Maxi+2nd for Rw3

I think going for high risk high reward guys makes sense if the cost is low. For example, Rw3 for an expiring and a 2nd

IMO the clear and obvious move is to trade Reaves, why? Well, looking at this roster they're obviously not a contender currently, so work down the roster.

Luka, obviously not being moved.

LeBron, potentially but hard to make a deal for a 41 yo in the last year of his deal, just don't see anything happening here until mid season at the earliest.

So we're left with Reaves, he's up for an extension that will likely be an overpay unless he suffers from an injury that results in him getting a lesser deal which is pretty unlikely these days. I don't think he's a guy that'll ever be reliable in the playoffs and is a poor fit with Luka going forward (poor defender, not athletic, similar position offensively).

I don't think anyone else can be moved that really will make a difference this season, not that the Lakers seem interested in going all in this year though.

Reaves is necessary on the Lakers beyond LeBron years. Luka needs a secondary playmaker like him.

But it highlights that Lakers really need a perimeter 3+D guard to guard best player 1-3

[Mos_Heat]

why we let go of dfs?

Because he was older and wanted to go to tax free Texas. The same money in his pockets from Lakers would have been like $30m/2

I don't think Lakers wanted him to go. LaRavia got the TaxMLE. Lakers expected to be above 1st apron so they expected to keep DFS.

Honestly though all the impact stats don't look kind on DFS. He's not much of a perimeter defender either anymore, he's a great big wing defender though.

Most likely Pelinka just low balled him, so he jumped to Houston Caruso style

FFIW Lakers were +11.7 with Dorian on the floor, he was a staple for their best line ups. I doubt they can go 5 out with Laravia guy instead

[zimpy27]

why we let go of dfs?

Because he was older and wanted to go to tax free Texas. The same money in his pockets from Lakers would have been like $30m/2

I don't think Lakers wanted him to go. LaRavia got the TaxMLE. Lakers expected to be above 1st apron so they expected to keep DFS.

Honestly though all the impact stats don't look kind on DFS. He's not much of a perimeter defender either anymore, he's a great big wing defender though.

Most likely Pelinka just low balled him, so he jumped to Houston Caruso style

FFIW Lakers were +11.7 with Dorian on the floor, he was a staple for their best line ups. I doubt they can go 5 out with Laravia guy instead

He was valuable last season without a C. But with a C like Ayton he has less value.

[Mos_Heat]

Because he was older and wanted to go to tax free Texas. The same money in his pockets from Lakers would have been like $30m/2

I don't think Lakers wanted him to go. LaRavia got the TaxMLE. Lakers expected to be above 1st apron so they expected to keep DFS.

Honestly though all the impact stats don't look kind on DFS. He's not much of a perimeter defender either anymore, he's a great big wing defender though.

Most likely Pelinka just low balled him, so he jumped to Houston Caruso style

FFIW Lakers were +11.7 with Dorian on the floor, he was a staple for their best line ups. I doubt they can go 5 out with Laravia guy instead

He was valuable last season without a C. But with a C like Ayton he has less value.

He would've been more valuable than Rui, because he defends 3s better

[zimpy27]

Most likely Pelinka just low balled him, so he jumped to Houston Caruso style

FFIW Lakers were +11.7 with Dorian on the floor, he was a staple for their best line ups. I doubt they can go 5 out with Laravia guy instead

He was valuable last season without a C. But with a C like Ayton he has less value.

He would've been more valuable than Rui, because he defends 3s better

Yeah not more valuable in general but better for the Lakers agreed.

Would you be in to a Grayson for Rui deal?

[Mos_Heat]

He was valuable last season without a C. But with a C like Ayton he has less value.

He would've been more valuable than Rui, because he defends 3s better

Yeah not more valuable in general but better for the Lakers agreed.

Would you be in to a Grayson for Rui deal?

Maybe if he comes with a solid draft compensation

[PistolPeteJR]

why we let go of dfs?

Because he was older and wanted to go to tax free Texas. The same money in his pockets from Lakers would have been like $30m/2

I don't think Lakers wanted him to go. LaRavia got the TaxMLE. Lakers expected to be above 1st apron so they expected to keep DFS.

Honestly though all the impact stats don't look kind on DFS. He's not much of a perimeter defender either anymore, he's a great big wing defender though.

Yeah I wasn't impressed with his perimeter defense much last year. Big-wing, he was great.

[PistolPeteJR]

Adding Simmons and Horford together would be my favourite addition. Then trade Vando+Gabe+Kleber+Knecht for 3+D guards.


Simmons-Reaves-Luka-LeBron-Horford
3+Dguards-LaRavia-Rui-Ayton

Not sure I'd want Simmons. I love the idea of what he can be, but not 100% sold. May prefer Brogdon.

[ShaqAttac]

why we let go of dfs?

Because he was older and wanted to go to tax free Texas. The same money in his pockets from Lakers would have been like $30m/2

I don't think Lakers wanted him to go. LaRavia got the TaxMLE. Lakers expected to be above 1st apron so they expected to keep DFS.

Honestly though all the impact stats don't look kind on DFS. He's not much of a perimeter defender either anymore, he's a great big wing defender though.

Yeah I wasn't impressed with his perimeter defense much last year. Big-wing, he was great.

weren't we mid before we got him

[PistolPeteJR]

Because he was older and wanted to go to tax free Texas. The same money in his pockets from Lakers would have been like $30m/2

I don't think Lakers wanted him to go. LaRavia got the TaxMLE. Lakers expected to be above 1st apron so they expected to keep DFS.

Honestly though all the impact stats don't look kind on DFS. He's not much of a perimeter defender either anymore, he's a great big wing defender though.

Yeah I wasn't impressed with his perimeter defense much last year. Big-wing, he was great.

weren't we mid before we got him

Yes, because no size, and he filled a need there.
They also got better because Vando finally came back, Vincent finally started hitting shots, and Rui had a great shooting year.
I’m not saying I didn’t want him to go back, I’m just saying he wanted more money than they wanted to give him long-term, so it is what it is, but it’s not devastating I don’t think.

[nzahir]

Really a shame they dont value those winning kind of role players

The one time they did in 2020 they won it all (but also Lebron was the best player in the world come playoff time since this was pre injury with Solomon Hill and pre AD injuiries piling up)

DFS deal isn't even guaraneed in year 3....no clue why we didnt bring him back since it wasnt a longer deal. Unless Ayton wasnt going to take 5ihm instead of 8ishm

Sooo whats next?

If Wiggins can be had for 2 expirings (kleber and gabe), Knecht, a swap in whatever year they want, would be great. Can also look to make a swap with a team like OKC this year for a future protected 1st or some 2nds and throw those in to Miami instead of swapping with them

Then sign Melton for 5m, waive Shake

Luka, Reaves, Wiggins, Bron, Ayton
Melton, Laravia, Vando, Rui, Hayes

Other option is see if Portland would take back Vando+expiring+knecht for Thybulle and Rw3

Luka, Reaves, Thybulle, Bron, Ayton
Gabe, Melton, Laravia, Rui, Rw3

Can also go more simple and trade Gabe/Maxi+2nd for Rw3

I think going for high risk high reward guys makes sense if the cost is low. For example, Rw3 for an expiring and a 2nd

IMO the clear and obvious move is to trade Reaves, why? Well, looking at this roster they're obviously not a contender currently, so work down the roster.

Luka, obviously not being moved.

LeBron, potentially but hard to make a deal for a 41 yo in the last year of his deal, just don't see anything happening here until mid season at the earliest.

So we're left with Reaves, he's up for an extension that will likely be an overpay unless he suffers from an injury that results in him getting a lesser deal which is pretty unlikely these days. I don't think he's a guy that'll ever be reliable in the playoffs and is a poor fit with Luka going forward (poor defender, not athletic, similar position offensively).

I don't think anyone else can be moved that really will make a difference this season, not that the Lakers seem interested in going all in this year though.

Reaves is necessary on the Lakers beyond LeBron years. Luka needs a secondary playmaker like him.

But it highlights that Lakers really need a perimeter 3+D guard to guard best player 1-3

Ya Reaves isnt being moved, at least not this summer

Ideally end up with a Marcus Smart, Thybulle, Wiggins, Brooks type of guy if we aren't able to get a higher end defender like Herb

Also, any thoughts on Bradley Beal?

He doesnt fix the defense issue, but a good talented player and would be nice off the bench

For sure have to move Knecht then (already do tbh)

[zimpy27]

IMO the clear and obvious move is to trade Reaves, why? Well, looking at this roster they're obviously not a contender currently, so work down the roster.

Luka, obviously not being moved.

LeBron, potentially but hard to make a deal for a 41 yo in the last year of his deal, just don't see anything happening here until mid season at the earliest.

So we're left with Reaves, he's up for an extension that will likely be an overpay unless he suffers from an injury that results in him getting a lesser deal which is pretty unlikely these days. I don't think he's a guy that'll ever be reliable in the playoffs and is a poor fit with Luka going forward (poor defender, not athletic, similar position offensively).

I don't think anyone else can be moved that really will make a difference this season, not that the Lakers seem interested in going all in this year though.

Reaves is necessary on the Lakers beyond LeBron years. Luka needs a secondary playmaker like him.

But it highlights that Lakers really need a perimeter 3+D guard to guard best player 1-3

Ya Reaves isnt being moved, at least not this summer

Ideally end up with a Marcus Smart, Thybulle, Wiggins, Brooks type of guy if we aren't able to get a higher end defender like Herb

Also, any thoughts on Bradley Beal?

He doesnt fix the defense issue, but a good talented player and would be nice off the bench

For sure have to move Knecht then (already do tbh)

I really like a Beal+Simmons addition. But I think Beal wouldn't be happy to come off the bench.

Reaves, Beal, Luka, LeBron, Ayton
Simmons, Knecht, LaRavia, Vando, Rui
Goodwin, Bronny, Thiero, Hayes

Trade Gabe+Kleber for the 15th player.

[PistolPeteJR]

I don’t know why I have this feeling that something big is coming up this week.

There’s just a lot of silence amidst a ton of uncertainty in a few camps right now.

[nzahir]

I don’t know why I have this feeling that something big is coming up this week.

There’s just a lot of silence amidst a ton of uncertainty in a few camps right now.

Whatcha thinking is gonna happen?

[zimpy27]

If Lakers just added Simmons then..

PG: Reaves (28) | Simmons (20)
SG: Luka (40) | Reaves (8)
SF: Vando (20) | LaRavia (28)
PF: LeBron (36) | Rui (12)
C : Ayton (30) | Rui (18)
Backups: Gabe, Goodwin, Bronny, Knecht, Thiero, Kleber, Hayes


You could think about upgrading Vando to Wiggins with Gabe+Kleber+Knecht. Pick up Love as a buyout.

PG: Reaves (28) | Simmons (20)
SG: Luka (40) | Reaves (8)
SF: Wiggins (28) | LaRavia (20)
PF: LeBron (36) | Rui (12)
C : Ayton (30) | Rui (18)
Backups: Goodwin, Bronny, Vando, Thiero, Love, Hayes

[PistolPeteJR]

I don’t know why I have this feeling that something big is coming up this week.

There’s just a lot of silence amidst a ton of uncertainty in a few camps right now.

Whatcha thinking is gonna happen?

Not gonna pretend like I know, but there’s just a ton of silence right now in a number of camps like LAL, GSW, MIA… Remember, Miami made claims that this offseason was going to be fiery.
Even Milwaukee is on the fence what with Giannis still undecided.

[PistolPeteJR]

If Lakers just added Simmons then..

PG: Reaves (28) | Simmons (20)
SG: Luka (40) | Reaves (8)
SF: Vando (20) | LaRavia (28)
PF: LeBron (36) | Rui (12)
C : Ayton (30) | Rui (18)
Backups: Gabe, Goodwin, Bronny, Knecht, Thiero, Kleber, Hayes


You could think about upgrading Vando to Wiggins with Gabe+Kleber+Knecht. Pick up Love as a buyout.

PG: Reaves (28) | Simmons (20)
SG: Luka (40) | Reaves (8)
SF: Wiggins (28) | LaRavia (20)
PF: LeBron (36) | Rui (12)
C : Ayton (30) | Rui (18)
Backups: Goodwin, Bronny, Vando, Thiero, Love, Hayes

I’d prefer LaRavia starts, assuming that shot is still there and he can defend adequately.

[trickshot]

Catching the usual negativity around Lakers and Bronny's 2nd SL performance. Imo cant help feel coaching needs to slow down trying to have him run possessions. Its setting him to be inconsistent and out of the league.

Running offense in the pros is not something to just develop this early without a gift. Even Reaves isn't asked to run offense like a floor general Pg archetype. Imo should start with being the quick release catch and shoot, defense focused guard Luka needs beside. The other stuff might come later with familiarity, if ever but right now he needs to be honing what will actually keep him in the league as a versatile two-way support guy who can fill up the stat sheet and occasionally have big scoring nights