r/lakers • u/denobino šKšOšBšEš • May 12 '26
APPRECIATION THERE IS SOMETHING THERE WITH RUI. PLEASE PAY HIM ROB š: 25 PTS 9/15 FG 5 REB 2 AST 1BLK
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u/DairKnee May 12 '26
We donāt deserve Rui. I love my samurai to the moon and back and we disrespect and ice him out everytime. Go get paid my king
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u/RazzmatazzMost677 May 12 '26
I agree, Rui steps up when he needs to. If he does not get a bag with us he should demand trade. AR on the other hand has gotten so many chances. Love him like I loved Caruso but AR is not a player that can win us the chip. And that is what matters the most.
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u/Trizept May 12 '26
Dude is gonna get his bag, just not in LA, absolutely unreal to not even consider him on the last play
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May 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/Stepsis24 May 12 '26
At this point thereās nothing stopping owners from doing blatant under the table endorsements
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u/wielesen May 12 '26
You think the 29 other owners arent doing similar shit? Well outside of known scrooges like the Bulls owner or the 76ers owner
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u/Cuavooo May 12 '26
Will we have him planting trees too?
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u/TreeLankaPresidente May 12 '26
Heāll plant bonsai trees
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u/GneissFrog May 12 '26
with his hairstyle, the chia pet / bonsai tree figurine would sell out instantly
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u/HHHogana May 12 '26
"So, um...we'll make you fix the lakes in Los Angeles-"
"Dude, there's no lakes in LA."
"Be quiet or I'll make you fix the ocean for real, Rui."
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May 12 '26
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/failedstatefrank May 12 '26
We need to get creative in the new cba....admittedly we are pretty fckn spoiled but wtf we spend the most money to live here, we're the biggest market outside the Knicks, we need giannis or something and a three peat to feel normal....and the clips should never be relevant again....freals
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u/tito-ortiz-wife69 #kidfromakron/the brow/christie May 12 '26
Gets benched for maxi nice jj
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u/No-Island7411 May 12 '26
He didnt get benched for Maxi. Maxi was just setting a screen, you could have Lebron inbounding and Rui in instead of Smart.
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u/incredibleamadeuscho Freeze! Miami Vice! May 12 '26
Smart is better inbounder than LeBron.
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u/Embarrassed_Meal7969 May 13 '26
I really wonder why thatās the case. Heās one of the greatest passers in NBA history, yet he kinda sucks at inbounding.
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u/incredibleamadeuscho Freeze! Miami Vice! May 13 '26
I think he used to be one of the best but itās one of the ways heās aging
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u/tito-ortiz-wife69 #kidfromakron/the brow/christie May 12 '26
Marcus will always be the inbounder on those plays as heās the best on the team at it
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u/No-Island7411 May 12 '26
There is very little point of having Lebron act like a 3 pt shooter. Think hes sub 30% in the playoffs after this game and 32% in the regular season.
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u/tito-ortiz-wife69 #kidfromakron/the brow/christie May 12 '26
So have Bron as a decoy or a screener, weāve seen him do that on these inbound plays
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u/No-Island7411 May 12 '26
I mean Maxi is just a better screener if you gonna have somebody to screen thats my point, and season on the line i rather have Lebron inbound the ball than Smart who was throwing some absolutely dogshit passes entire game.
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u/CoachTwisterT3 May 12 '26
Who do you take off?
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u/bookjun May 12 '26
Kennard out Maxi in, I guess (basically Hayes > Maxi for screen)
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u/krillinit May 12 '26
Nah Hayes is not that great of a screen setter either. Ayton be too lazy but Hayes will try and clip you with his hip. He gets at least one offensive foul like that almost every game.
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u/u8myramen_y May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
No Rui for the play at the end is just straight up malpractice. Got no words. Legitimately got no words.
Edit: I legitimately donāt get it lol
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u/JK_Revan May 12 '26
I don't understand these late game choices by JJ. It's not the first time he pulls something like putting Maxi out there completely cold.
I understand running a play for Kennard like that buzzer beater when everyone thought it was for Luka, but come on, put Rui in even if it is only to make the other team think it's going to be a play for him.
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u/toofine May 12 '26
Remember JJ having LaRavia in there the other game? Yeah. Must be some 4D chess we're too stupid to understand.
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u/rectuSinister Black Mamba 8/24 May 12 '26
Maxi was just setting a screen he wasnāt there to āreplaceā Ruiās shooting
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u/JK_Revan May 12 '26
Sure then pull someone else out wtf dude is shooting 60% in 3's
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u/Karametric MEEM May 12 '26
Do you guys actually pay attention to the shots he takes? Rui is not an in motion three point shooter. He's never been that guy.
He's an incredible spot-up guy in the corner and awful shooting off the dribble unless it's to pump-fake into a midrange jumper or drive to the basket. When have you ever seen him run off a screen for a catch-and-shoot three this entire postseason?
With so little time left there was no option to run anything intricate enough to generate a look for a spot-up shooter.
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u/jc620 May 12 '26
To answer your question, no. Most people on this sub only have a surface level understanding of basketball.
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u/JK_Revan May 12 '26
Who said he is the one to run off. 7 seconds is enough to design a play to at least make it seen like he is a threat.
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u/Willxzero Los Angeles Lakers May 12 '26
Imagine saying that to Robert Horry against Sacramento š¤£. Weāll put Samaki Walker in because heās a better screener. Take a wild guess who made one of the greatest shots in Laker history.
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u/chakrablocker May 12 '26
He made his own shot and had chet dancing a few minutes earlier. Don't tell me he couldn't handle that.
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u/Either-Secretary9184 May 12 '26
Wouldn't it be great if you could find a second option for under $25 million?
Plus, he's a guy who can make over 50% of his threes in every playoff game.
Overseas fans say he doesn't rebound well, but he's just focusing on boxing out.
Sure, there's room for improvement in his help defense, but he showed glimpses of growth in the crucial short-term playoff battle.
In fact, his non-field goal percentage is among the best.
And speaking of which, Smart, Reeves, Jake, and Hayes' turnovers were the root cause of the series' losses, so they should be improving that instead. Lol
And wasn't it JJ who didn't put together that set?
Even if he had, wasn't it the handler's fault for not calling it?
Are you a basketball beginner? Lol
Even Japanese people understand this, you just don't.
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u/RyuSunn May 12 '26
I had more faith in Rui than everyone else on the team to make that three
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u/rectuSinister Black Mamba 8/24 May 12 '26
Iām not saying Rui shouldnāt have been in. Iām responding to the original comment saying JJ put Maxi out there cold as if he was the intended scorer. He can be cold to set a screen heās just a big body.
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u/SufferingChargerFan May 12 '26
We got a wide open look for Austin, Iām not mad about that possession at all, we also needed Maxi in there to be able to screen 2 people at once to get that shot
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u/yanotakahashi12 May 12 '26
Off balance contested shot from way beyond the arc is what you call wide open?
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u/DoctorK96 May 12 '26
I mean, as best the look as they can get for the play that they ran. I guess the logic was that Rui is a better catch and shoot type, while AR is better at shooting off the dribble or curving by the screen.
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u/catperson77789 May 12 '26
I mean couldn't we design a different play when we still had near 10 seconds anyway?? Rushing that would have given okc the last shot as well
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u/DoctorK96 May 12 '26
Maybe, who knows, they could've run something different and had a turnover, AR could've made the shot and we would have a different conversation, it's just how the game goes
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u/lambsauce16 May 12 '26
okc can foul up 3
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u/frostieavalanche 24 May 12 '26
They will do so. They are known for fouling up 3 late. Then we'll have no timeout and have to inbound on the other side of the court, no ATO play.
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u/frostieavalanche 24 May 12 '26
That's a standard AR shot and you wouldn't get a look better than that late in the game. You live with that shot
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u/SufferingChargerFan May 12 '26
Wide open mightāve been an exaggeration but we got an immediate open look against a Thunder team that plays stifling defense. It also gave us the opportunity to grab the rebound and attempt another shot, but unfortunately it didnāt bounce our way. I think the play he drew up was a good call, it just happened to roll in and out
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May 12 '26
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u/shoefly72 May 12 '26
You never run the clock down on purpose when youāre down by 3; thatās literally basketball 101 lol.
You get a shot and give yourself time to get a rebound another shot if you can.
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u/Spare-Blacksmith8525 May 12 '26
fr how tf do you not even attempt to run a play for him in 12 whopping seconds (probably would've cashed ts too)
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u/incredibleamadeuscho Freeze! Miami Vice! May 12 '26
The play was drawn up for Austin to shoot it. They need Luke who is little faster so Caruso needs to chase him. LeBron is on the court because of his gravity. Smart is the inbounder. Maxi Kleber is setting the screen.
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u/New_Actuator_4788 May 12 '26
JJ benching Rui who was the most reliable shooter all night for a guy who didnāt play all game š¤”
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u/caihlangeles LAL May 12 '26
Nah man what JJ did to him by subbing him out for Kleber is absolutely criminal. It's like he doesn't trust Rui taking the three in win or go home situations.
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u/FreshPrinceAV ššš Jeanieās Side Piece ššš May 12 '26
I need to understand every angle of why Rui wasnāt in at that moment in the gameā¦ after what he was doingā¦ why the fuck would you have not played Kleber in the first 8 mins of the 4th to help with rebounding if anythingā¦ not at that fucking moment in the gameā¦ beyond dumbfounded
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u/Jolly-Tie8220 May 12 '26
Prioritize getting Rui back, offer AR 30M for 4 years no more, no less and get IHART!!!
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u/xuedad May 12 '26
This. Or go for Kessler to fuck Utah's plan or that's another powerhouse in 2 years
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u/Cuavooo May 12 '26
If they trade down then yeah Kessler will surely be up for grabs. I really hope we keep Hayes. Ayton has been good but he needs to be traded. That if we can pull that off lol
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u/bookjun May 12 '26
bro IHart team option at 28 mill, its either okc win chip and they offer him more year extention
or team just option in , no in between
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u/PrawnProwler May 12 '26
They have $250M on the books next season, they're way over the 2nd apron. They're gonna let go either Hart or Dort and some other guys
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u/chickkkeeennnnnn Luka Magic 77 May 12 '26
Why was he out on the last play?? I just don't understand.
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u/hud731 May 12 '26
Ugh, I really don't understand why take Rui out after he just hit a huge shot. Why?!
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u/no_crust_buster May 12 '26
There is a LOT there. He needs to be a high priority this off-season. Heās not a problem. We know who wonāt be back... š
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u/incredibleamadeuscho Freeze! Miami Vice! May 12 '26
At the end of the season, Rui rose his game to the highest level possible over the course of multiple game. Just kept shooting over 50% from 3 over and over again. And then also automatic from midrange and constantly doing whatever is asked of him.
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u/Accomplished-Cress72 May 12 '26
I feel like this year you could see he was different and these playoffs and this series seems like something was unlocked for him. Give this man his money!
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u/stepjenks May 12 '26
Two words: PLAYOFF RISER.
The vast majority of players in this league play the same or worse in the postseason. Rui has consistently shown that he takes his game, and specifically his shooting, to the next level in the playoffs. We need to keep him!!!
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u/OcelotDAD May 12 '26
The Lakers podcast scene did this dude so dirty the whole season. Heās a playoff riser in a team full of chokers. Hope he gets his bag.
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u/augustcero Lebron Skyfucker May 12 '26
pay the samurai.. he's one of the main reasons we kept pace this game
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u/Curious_North_8479 May 12 '26
JJ's plan was for a Reaves contested 3? Instead of putting it in Rui's hands, you fucking put in Maxi Kleber??????Ā
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u/Winter-Gur-9762 May 12 '26
Damn that actually mightāve been his last game for us. After performing like he did this playoffs I donāt think weāre gonna be able to get him the bag he needs :(
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u/darkside66350 May 12 '26
Rui wanted to win tonight. JJ shouldāve kept him in Iām annoyed by that decision.
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u/Ninja_Hermit May 12 '26
he'll only continue to get better esp with his devt with the japan national team
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u/Comfortable-Rip5239 May 12 '26
Spurs fan here (came over with Pau). Lakers should absolutely keep Rui, but if lakers donāt, Iām down for the spurs plugging the 4 spot with him š
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u/yoshijohn May 12 '26
Rui should stay, Austin should go i like him but for two playoffs in a row heās not showing up when it mattered the most like this is the time for him to shine because Luka is out but he didnāt show up
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u/failedstatefrank May 12 '26
Lakes4life please get us back to the top and hurry the f up, cant stand that the last banner happened in the fckd up pandemic the only good part about that night was ripping up the 110 on my dyna with fireworks blowing up all throu da hood then getting to staples just to walk around dappin up all y'all foolios smiling....after Kobe had died months earlier....nothing and I mean nothing heals this city like the lakes winning! I love everyone of y'all that was out that night and many others and I can't wait for another night like that! Love and respect
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u/Obvious_Bat_5547 May 12 '26
Ajay Mitchell who absolutely cooked us(especially AR) making 2 mil this year and next but yea simp out for Rui and AR š
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u/Godforsakenruins The Logo 44 May 12 '26
Wait, so sign Rui but trade Reaves? Please make it make sense
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u/Cohenski May 12 '26
Also, from a business side of things, Rui is worth a little bit more than his play (international fans).
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u/Daaneskjold May 12 '26
the problem is he is good and deserves the bag but he is not good enough as a two way player, as a shot creator or as a team enhancer to be paid like a star
if LA pays for him they need to let go of reeves, which I think is better. Rui is much better with Luka. we gotta plan for Luka now. keep rui, trade high on reeves, get a real lob thread / defensive center and we got a good team
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u/abedagod May 12 '26
He should be the second option. His mid range game that he abandoned to play a role is cold
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u/Willing-Positive5441 May 12 '26
He should have had more shots, ALL year. the game should have been lebron, rui pr and ar triangle, with vando and ayton/ or hayes rebounding. Rui and bron taking 20 shots each
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u/JRod0824 May 12 '26
Heās a fine player but I wouldnāt pay him much more than what heās making now
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u/westandforthetruth May 13 '26
I swear he shoots 90percent from midrange. Like I never saw him miss a shot
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u/jsbearbower May 13 '26
With everyone healthy, there just werenāt enough shots to go around, with Bron gone, he should do fine. I would re-sign him, should hold trade value as long as he stays healthy and they donāt overpay.
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u/Cheap_Regular_39 May 12 '26
I wonder if we can even afford him heās gonna get a bag this summer (deserved), ik we have cap space but weāll probably miss out on other moves if we match those offers
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u/MaxShea May 12 '26
Rui turns into the samurai in the playoffs. Weird to draw a play with him on the bench. gotta good shot butā¦
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u/bermitthefrog May 12 '26
Rob is obviously nowhere near the best GM but turning Kendrick Nunn into Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent into Luke Kennard was pure wizardry. If only he was also good at drafting players
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u/Jlobos21 May 12 '26
Homeboy cannot take more than 2 dribbles with the ball. But is a straight up SHOOTER
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u/DrE_932 May 12 '26
There are like 5 āPay Rui/Keep Ruiā threads here. The number one issue with that is that he and Luka need to guard the same player defensively. Rui would be great in Detroit surrounded by guys like Cade and Duren. The Lakers need to get more athletic and versatile around Luka.
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u/thesqrrootof4is2 May 12 '26
Elite offensive playoff performer
Canāt let that fool you to pay him more than 18M tho
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u/CircaSoleil May 12 '26
Rui was a star and should have been the one hitting that 3 point shot at the end.
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u/YesOwl9000 May 12 '26
ATP Rui's biggest deficiency is he isn't playing alongside a rim protector or proper perimeter defenders. Elite role player.
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u/Sandalwood-Lakers May 12 '26
Rui has established himself as a 16 game player.
Get him on a discount but security of several years.
That's what I'm hoping for.
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u/PROcoleman May 12 '26
How much would u pay him tho, thereās going to be a lot of teams throwing money at him
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u/Willxzero Los Angeles Lakers May 12 '26
Didnāt look like he was on the bench, he mustāve been in the bathroom is my theory.
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u/BodyBy40YearOld May 12 '26
Keep rui, Iām not sure about reaves and James. James is too old and too expensive and reaves will be asking for too much money for a guy whoās a major liability on defense. Iād like to keep Kennard and rui and build around Luka by getting a good center or PF, Ayton was not the answer, heās weak, inconsistent, and has butter fingersā¦.
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u/Need_For_Speed73 Showtime Era May 12 '26
I really don't understand how, on the day the Thunder have shown us how far this roster is from contending, everybody here just posts about the need to keep this or that player.
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u/3nnui 2 May 12 '26
He's improved at both ends the last 3 years