Around The NBA : 2025-26

[Avery W]

I kinda feel sorry for Zach. He is easily the best player in the league that can't seem to play on a successful team. Zach undoubtedly has the talent. It just seems like in his career, the mix around him just doesn't seem to pan out.

He is complete opposite of say Jimmy, who on 5 different teams has found success and team success.

It was very weird seeing him benched for the whole 4th quarter. Can't imagine the vibes in SAC are too fun these days.

[Ice Man]

I kinda feel sorry for Zach. He is easily the best player in the league that can't seem to play on a successful team. Zach undoubtedly has the talent. It just seems like in his career, the mix around him just doesn't seem to pan out.

He is complete opposite of say Jimmy, who on 5 different teams has found success and team success.

Not really the opposite of Jimmy, because your argument is that Zach can be a winner if he finds the right slot, whereas Jimmy wouldn't be a loser in any slot. After all, Butler went straight to one of these teams that allegedly made Zach a loser and the moment that Jimmy showed up, that team became a winner. There was no bad fit for Prime Jimmy.

But I do agree that Zach could have been a winner if the dice had rolled differently for him. Have him drafted by the Bucks, and he would be viewed as a super sidekick for Giannis -- a more talented version of Middleton. In that case, the collective impression of Zach would be very different.

[Andi Obst]

Zach Lavine, the 24ppg scorer @ 66%TS, is yet again -18 nrtg, 2nd worst in the Kings who as a team are -11 nrtg

He needs more help!!

It's ridiculous when you look at his individual effieciency vs his on/off-numbers this season. Makes you think he's getting his points on an empty court next to the arena while his team is playing 4-on-5 in the actual game. And sure, it's small sample size. But it means more when you've been a net-negative player for your entire career.

The LaVine trade is extremely underrated. That was a great trade by AKME.

[sco]

I kinda feel sorry for Zach. He is easily the best player in the league that can't seem to play on a successful team. Zach undoubtedly has the talent. It just seems like in his career, the mix around him just doesn't seem to pan out.

He is complete opposite of say Jimmy, who on 5 different teams has found success and team success.

Not really the opposite of Jimmy, because your argument is that Zach can be a winner if he finds the right slot, whereas Jimmy wouldn't be a loser in any slot. After all, Butler went straight to one of these teams that allegedly made Zach a loser and the moment that Jimmy showed up, that team became a winner. There was no bad fit for Prime Jimmy.

But I do agree that Zach could have been a winner if the dice had rolled differently for him. Have him drafted by the Bucks, and he would be viewed as a super sidekick for Giannis -- a more talented version of Middleton. In that case, the collective impression of Zach would be very different.

Yeah, Zach on MIL, or on DET would have a ton more success. He's a very good #2 option, and never had a good #1 option to play off. The insult to injury is for him to have to play next to Demar on 2 consecutive teams.

[kodo]

I kinda feel sorry for Zach. He is easily the best player in the league that can't seem to play on a successful team. Zach undoubtedly has the talent. It just seems like in his career, the mix around him just doesn't seem to pan out.

He is complete opposite of say Jimmy, who on 5 different teams has found success and team success.

Not really the opposite of Jimmy, because your argument is that Zach can be a winner if he finds the right slot, whereas Jimmy wouldn't be a loser in any slot. After all, Butler went straight to one of these teams that allegedly made Zach a loser and the moment that Jimmy showed up, that team became a winner. There was no bad fit for Prime Jimmy.

But I do agree that Zach could have been a winner if the dice had rolled differently for him. Have him drafted by the Bucks, and he would be viewed as a super sidekick for Giannis -- a more talented version of Middleton. In that case, the collective impression of Zach would be very different.

Yeah, Zach on MIL, or on DET would have a ton more success. He's a very good #2 option, and never had a good #1 option to play off. The insult to injury is for him to have to play next to Demar on 2 consecutive teams.

Agreed. +/- is more about if the lineup you're mainly used on is playing together coherently. Lavine has been in the middle of two teams that had a ton of scoring, especially hero ball scorers, and no defense. The fact that he Lavine wouldn't be a big +/- guy on the SAC version of the Bulls is the least surprising thing that's happened in the NBA last 2 years. Sabonis has an even worse +/- than Lavine and he's SAC's biggest star, both point to the fact that SAC needs defense. Their highest +/- guys are scrappy guys that play some D (Carter, Clifford, Eubanks).

2nd worst opponent PPG in the league, the only team worse is actively tanking (WAS).

He never gets this comparison due to athletic profiles, but he's similar to Klay Thompson. If a lottery team had Klay Thompson as their #1 who had to create everything off the dribble with no system or PG to give him wide open clean shots, he'd look as bad he does in Dallas. It's no surprise Zach's best stretches were next to healthy Zo or Giddey.

[sco]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/took-body-fat-friday-bro-075900494.html

I didn't the know the Heat did this, but it does make sense. I bet most vets hate it.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Zach should try and find the right team to go to when he is a free agent. He has this year and a PO next year. I can see him on the Clippers at some point or Lakers.