Latest news with #Buha'sBlock
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider: Lakers need to put Marcus Smart in their starting lineup
With Marcus Smart officially on board, the Los Angeles Lakers are quietly starting to look like a very good team. Smart, who was the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, should give them high-level defense against opponents at multiple positions as well as secondary facilitating and overall resourcefulness. Now the debate has begun as far as where to fit him in on the Lakers' roster. Plenty expect that he will be coming off the bench, especially since, at age 31, he's coming off multiple injuries that limited him to just 54 games over the last two seasons. But a few experts would like Smart to move into L.A.'s starting lineup. One of those analysts is insider Jovan Buha, who explained why he has that opinion during a recent episode of "Buha's Block" and said Rui Hachimura should in turn be moved to the bench (h/t Lakers Daily). 'In my opinion, it's clear that Rui is the guy that should go to the bench because I think people tend to look at positions too much through an offensive lens and not a defensive lens,' Buha said. Buha's reasoning is that L.A. needs defense in its starting five, as well as two other starters who fit best with LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. 'I think that the move to me would clearly be to start Marcus Smart over Rui,' he said. 'I think the one concern with that is just that Rui has tended to perform better as a starter than a bench player. But at the same time, I don't think that the starting group as previously constructed was good enough defensively — was not even close to being good enough defensively. 'And that was my biggest concern with this group prior to the Marcus Smart signing. So, Rui's gonna have to figure it out potentially as a bench player, or maybe they end up flipping him at some point and then he figures it out elsewhere. But I don't think you should bend your starting lineup to your fifth-best player or sixth-best player, whatever, and kind of shape things around that. 'It needs to be what makes sense positionally, and it's like 'OK, LeBron, Luka and Austin are the three best players.' Then, what are the two positions you need around that? You need a center, a rim runner, rim protector. OK, you got Deandre Ayton. Then, you need a versatile, switchable defensive piece — that's Marcus Smart. So, to me, that's the starting lineup that makes the most sense.' Hachimura may be a bit underrated as an offensive contributor. This past season, he averaged 13.1 points a game and shot 50.9% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range. He does go long stretches without being utilized offensively, at least partly because he has been the team's fourth option and sometimes even its fifth option. If he were to be moved to the bench, he could essentially become a backup for James and get more touches on a consistent basis, especially in iso situations. The big concern with starting Smart would be his poor 3-point shooting. For his career, he has made just 32.4% of his 3-point attempts, and given JJ Redick's stated desire for the Lakers to become a high-volume 3-point shooting team, they need as many players as possible who are above-average 3-point shooters.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider: Dalton Knecht's value on the market has fallen
The Los Angeles Lakers had a stroke of good fortune last summer when they got to take University of Tennessee sharpshooter Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the NBA draft. Knecht was projected as a top-10 pick by many, and the feeling was that the Lakers got a gem. His rookie season was a rollercoaster. He had a hot streak in November, but he went into a deep freeze afterward and saw his playing time diminish. The wing was then included in the failed trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in February, and afterward, observers wondered how he would respond mentally. Knecht's production rose again in March, but he fell out of coach JJ Redick's rotation afterward, and his play during summer league didn't exactly inspire any optimism about how he will do this coming season. He has been involved in multiple trade rumors this summer as Los Angeles has looked to land a 3-and-D wing. But insider Jovan Buha said on a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that Knecht's value on the market has fallen. 'Summer League has not helped Knecht's stock, and I don't think at this point he is valued as a first-round pick, in terms of an asset valuation. That was what I heard in Vegas from talking to multiple people, non-Lakers people, just gauging what would you give for Dalton Knecht? Or if the Lakers are putting Dalton Knecht in a trade, what is he worth? And the feedback I got was, no longer worth a first-round valuation.' How one plays in summer league doesn't necessarily translate to the NBA season, and it is still possible that Knecht shows some definite growth this fall and winter. After all, by his own admission, he has been doing three workouts a day this offseason. But if Lakers fans are expecting him to fetch that missing piece to the championship puzzle this summer, they will likely be disappointed.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers predicted to cut ties with 4x NBA Champion in blockbuster multi-team trade involving Dallas Mavericks
LeBron James is in Los Angeles Lakers (Image via Getty Images) In a bold prediction that could shake up the NBA landscape, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly exploring the possibility of parting ways with LeBron James . The move would be part of a complex three-team trade scenario involving the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz, with the Lakers potentially acquiring several key players and future assets in return. LeBron James' Future in L.A. Now Uncertain After seven seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James ' tenure in Los Angeles may be nearing its end. The team's disappointing playoff exit has stirred up internal frustration, potentially pushing the franchise to consider a major roster overhaul. According to Bleacher Report's Dan Favale, there is growing traction around the idea of James joining forces once again with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis in Dallas. 'Lakers insider Jovan Buha said during a recent episode of Buha's Block (at the 9:40 mark) that there has previously been legs to the Dallas Mavericks' interest in reuniting LeBron James with Kyrie Irving,' Favale noted. 'This feeling could increase now that they also have Anthony Davis, another former LeBron teammate whom the King sounded like he missed after Los Angeles got bounced from the playoffs.' (H/t: Sporting News) Details of the Predicted Trade The trade, while hypothetical, is structured to involve three NBA teams: the Los Angeles Lakers , Mavericks, and Jazz. It aims to benefit each team with roster depth, veteran presence, and future draft capital. Proposed Three-Team Trade Breakdown: LeBron James and Alex Caruso in Los Angeles Lakers (Image via Nathaniel S. Butler/ Getty Images) Team Receives Mavericks LeBron James Lakers Kyle Anderson, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, 2029 1st-Round Pick (via Dallas) Jazz Jarred Vanderbilt, 2030 2nd-Round Pick (via 76ers), 2032 2nd-Round Pick (via Dallas) Dallas Continues to Reunite LeBron's Circle The Mavericks are positioning themselves as a destination built around former LeBron James teammates. With Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and newly signed D'Angelo Russell already in the fold, adding LeBron would not only increase chemistry but could immediately elevate Dallas to title-contending status. If completed, this would mark the second blockbuster deal between the Lakers and Mavericks in under a year—each shaking the foundations of both teams and the league at large. Los Angeles Lakers' Rebuild and Roster Depth in Focus For the Los Angeles Lakers, this trade would symbolize a shift toward building around younger and complementary pieces, without the pressure of catering to a superstar timeline. The incoming players all bring unique skill sets: - Kyle Anderson: A versatile forward with solid defensive instincts. - Daniel Gafford: A rim-running big man with shot-blocking ability. - Naji Marshall: A developing wing who can provide energy off the bench. - Klay Thompson: A sharpshooting veteran with championship experience. - P.J. Washington: A young forward with two-way potential. Key Assets Gained by Lakers: - Greater rotation depth - Positional flexibility - Veteran leadership - A future first-round draft pick (2029 via Dallas) Utah's Involvement The Jazz play a strategic supporting role in this proposed deal by re-acquiring Jarred Vanderbilt, a player they previously developed, and gaining two second-round picks. This move aligns with Utah's ongoing rebuild strategy centered on asset accumulation and player development. Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Why Swapping Kyle Kuzma for $90 million Chicago Bulls Star Makes Sense for the Milwaukee Bucks While this trade remains speculative, it highlights the NBA's ever-evolving landscape where even legends like LeBron James are not untouchable. With strong ties already linking James to multiple Mavericks players, and with L.A. seeking depth and long-term flexibility, a deal of this magnitude—if it materializes—could redefine the trajectory of all three franchises involved. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What is Miami asking for from the Lakers in return for Andrew Wiggins?
The Los Angeles Lakers took a sizable step toward fielding a championship-caliber roster on Wednesday when center Deandre Ayton agreed to sign with them. He has his flaws, and there are reasons to be concerned about him, but his arrival should go a long way toward plugging their massive hole at the 5 spot. The Lakers should have a very potent offensive squad with Ayton, who has career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds a game and is a rim-running lob threat. But their defense is lacking throughout the roster, and as the old saying goes, defense is the key to winning championships. There has been talk for at least a week that they have been angling to trade for Andrew Wiggins, a two-way wing who currently plays for the Miami Heat. Wiggins was an All-Star starter and won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022, and he could potentially make L.A. a title contender. Unfortunately, beat writer Jovan Buha said on a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that Miami is asking for a lot in return for Wiggins. 'I don't know if Gabe [Vincent], Maxi [Kleber], Shake [Milton] and a first gets you Wiggins. I think they would want, I've reported/shared what I've heard, which is that they've been asking for the first and Dalton [Knecht], which I think is an overpay for Wiggins. And I think they also want Rui [Hachimura], too, because they want to remain competitive and obviously Rui is a better player than Gabe or Maxi. So I think the Miami asking price needs to drop, as I've said before.' Hachimura, Knecht and a future first-round draft pick is definitely too much for Wiggins, who has made just one All-Star team and has two years left on his contract, one of which is a player option year. Obviously, if Miami wants to trade Wiggins and get something in return in order to rebuild after trading Jimmy Butler in February, it will have to lower its asking price, no matter who says yes to Wiggins. Wiggins averaged 18.0 points a game and shot 37.4% from 3-point range this past season for both the Warriors and Heat. After 11 seasons in the league, he remains a plus defender, especially against perimeter players, while Hachimura struggles to guard perimeter players and Knecht is lacking overall on that end of the floor.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Could LeBron James force a trade to the Mavericks?
After LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, made some cryptic comments on Sunday when James decided to pick up his player option for the 2025-26 season, many have been speculating that the future Hall of Famer could be on his way to asking the Los Angeles Lakers to trade him. Right now, it is hard to imagine James demanding a trade anytime soon. But anything is certainly possible with him. One would figure that if he does want out, he may opt to be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of his former teams, or possibly the New York Knicks or even the Golden State Warriors. But Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha said on a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that there has been "buzz" about the Dallas Mavericks being a possible destination for the 40-year-old. 'I will say that there has been some LeBron-and-Dallas buzz going on a couple years now,' said Buha. 'Remember in the summer of 2023, right after Dallas had traded for Kyrie, there was that rumor out there that LeBron was gonna go to Dallas on a vet minimum contract and team up with Draymond [Green], and it was gonna be Luka, Kyrie, LeBron and Draymond. That, of course, did not happen. But there has been some buzz I will say in the general NBA ether over the last week or two with LeBron and Dallas.' In some ways, Dallas would make a lot of sense for James. The team has Anthony Davis, the superstar big man with whom he won the NBA championship in 2020, as well as plenty of talent that it could give up in a potential trade. Dallas could hypothetically meet the Lakers' demands in such a deal and still have enough around James to contend for a championship. Plus, Kyrie Irving, James' old All-Star teammate in Cleveland, is with the Mavericks. According to Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, the two players talked two years ago about possibly teaming up in Dallas. 'Kyrie asked LeBron to find a way to come to the Dallas Mavericks,' a source familiar with the call told Robinson. 'At the end of their conversation, LeBron told him: 'I'll think about it.'' Right now, the Lakers haven't done much of note after the first official day of NBA free agency. Forward Dorian Finney-Smith left to join the Houston Rockets, and while they got an agreement from forward Jake LaRavia, they still have a need for at least one two-way wing and a dire need for help at the center position. Paul made it clear that James wants to be able to win an NBA championship this coming season. If the Lakers strike out in free agency and on the trade market this summer, all eyes would be on James to see if he becomes upset enough to want out.
