theoretically he’s the shooter they need to pair with Luka and Bron. Luka now has lob threat and pick and pop threat with Ayton so shooter should be open. Problem I see is that’s not Dames game he doesn’t move well without the ball and never had to play much without the ball in his hands. That said Bron and Luka do make the game so much easier for everyone around them that it “could” work. defensively be the worst team in the last 50 years. Dame, Luka, Bron, and Ayton don’t play defense.
He's the shooter they need and Luka can't play 48 mins. Also Dame has the ability to take over a game as well as spread a floor like few others. Yes they would pay on defense at times. Just seems like the guy they will go after.
I don't know if teams will be expecting much out of Dame this coming season. I mean, Dame *had* the ability to take over a game as well as spread the floor like few others, we don't know if he does now. Signing him (whatever team) doesn't put them closer to a title, any more than trading for Grant would, or signing DeAndre did. It's debatable that he'll have much of a role on a championship contending team (esp next year), outside of being a role player. Chances are really good he won't play this upcoming season, or if he does, he will only play a small portion of the season and probably not be anything close to what he is now. Look at Durant. Since he came back (and this isn't just due to injuries), he's had 1 season where he played more than 62 games. And yes his production hasn't dipped a lot (tho his PER, which I know isnt the end all be all, has dipped), but he was also 30 years old when he got hurt. Btw, fun fact: Kevin Durant has scored over 30K points in his NBA career.
I think the fact that he can make a shot from anywhere is his strongest value and will keep him in the mix. That is what spreads the floor for a guy like Luka to pick apart a defense. Totally agree he is months from getting back and probably won't be much of a consideration before the deadline because he probably will be 10-12 months in reality. I just don't see him playing in 25-26. Reading up on the injury you are also correct on the assessment on his eventual return as it usually takes 2-3 years before fully recovered and playing at their usual pace. That seems a bit long for a player as old as Dame but who knows?
You forgot Austin Reaves who may be worse than everyone (well, except Dame). It's funny: the Lakers discovered both Reaves and Caruso as undrafted gems and they're practically mirror images. If you could combine them you'd have the best white American player since Bird.
Look at Wesley Matthews, while he did come back super quick (he got hurt March 5th, and was back playing just under 8 months later) he was never the same player. His PER dropped like a stone, and he had only 1 single season where his defensive rating was lower than his offensive rating. And Wesley was only 28 when he got hurt vs 34. And it would be (and was) easier for Wesley to adjust his game into being a role player, since he was already a role player to begin with. Not trying to argue against what you said, just bringing up some related stuff.
Wait, what? They don't need Dame because they have Luka? Luka has played well with Kyrie and Jalen Brunson. He would play well with Dame too.
I’ve always liked his confidence but coming back to even 80% of what he was will be tough at his age imo.
The one downside with bringing Dame back is he comes with Nate Jones, Aaron Goodwin, and Chris Haynes as part of his entourage. This week has reminded me of how nice it's been to not have these leeches in my purview.
This is a good point. Those three were quite annoying at times (tho not Meyers Leonard posting pictures of himself flexing and mean mugging in every picture or blocking anyone who said anything remotely negative annoying).
