If anyone says no it's Orlando. Lakers would take this in a sec. They have no center and no on ball defender. Luka just moved AR to the bench, so DK won't be getting as much burn. Not to mention the Lakers now have five 6'8 guys. Two that score way better than Rui and two that defend way better than Rui. Orlando would take it only for the money if they think they can't pay suggs, Franz, and Paolo in coming years.

What? They are universally known as defenders...

That's sort of my point. PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr are elite defenders and Gafford and Lively are great rim protectors. The Mavs were bad until they got defenders around Luka at the trade deadline. They went from like 20th in the league in defense to like 4th or 5th after the deadline last year.

Kleber and a pick for Goga is interesting but I think the Lakers only have one pick to give and that might leave them too naked

Anthony Black is a ball hawk defender with a huge motor. 6'7" and only 21 years old. He'd be a great piece to have next to Luka for the future. He's got point guard mobility in a wing body. He could be the primary on ball defender and leave DFS and Vando to guard whatever 2-4 needs to locked up any given night

The whole reason DLo went to the bench was because him and AR couldn't defends opposing guards. And that was with AD behind them protecting the rim. Luka, AR, vando, Bron, and a mediocre center isn't enough defense to be a serious team. AR could be a 6th player of the year type guy off the bench though if he accepts that role.

Kessler is a good deal salary-cap wise but ainge was wanting the laker's last pick or reaves and that was before Pelinka tricked ainge into helping him get Luka. I doubt Ainge will be wanting to play nice.

Claxton is on a 27.5 million a year contract for the next 4 years. Lakers would have to send two of either Rui, vando, AR, DFS, or Vincent to salary match. And that's definitely not worth it unless they get picks too.

Rob Williams is 6'9" and I can't see him being able to guard against Joker, wemby, AD, Chet, etc. Especially with Hayes as his only backup.

And defensively Myles Turner is a more expensive Goga with a little better offense and worse rebounding. He's not that athletic lob threat that fits well with Luka. And he's gonna want a lot more money on his new contract next year. I don't see a way to keep him, especially when other teams actually want a stretch big and would be willing to pay him more than the Lakers would. It wouldn't make sense to send two pieces to Indy to salary match just to have Myles leave in FA.

No way you can start Luka, AR, and LeBron. There's not enough defense. I agree Lakers need a high motor lob threat and rim protector but thats not really on the market rn. Plus Black would fill the much needed point of attack defender. They need someone to cover the shai/ja/fox/green etc type guards that Luka and AR just physically can't do. Bitadze would be a serviceable big for cheap to have until someone better comes free. That type of player will want to play with Luka so it shouldn't be hard to find once they become available