Would Laker Fans prefer Giannis or Jokic?

Written by Malcolm Xavier of The Lakers Room

My daughter always makes me play 'would you rather' so that might explain my current end of All Star break energy. With the NBA trade deadline in the rearview, and outside of landing sharpshooter (who's paying immediate dividends) Luke Kennard, the Lakeshow (Robert Pelinka) remained mostly quiet. Similarly, the biggest name on - and off the market (depending on the day) Giannis Antetokounmpo also stood pat and said he won't ask for a trade - for now.

The Greek Freak is however already being linked to LA, which is the norm for every superstar at some point during his NBA tenure. Another marquee center being rumored as a possible addition in tinsletown is current Nugget center (who doubles as a Lakers killer) Nikola Jokic. I'm not sure either comes true in my opinion, but Laker fans in the spirit of my amazing daughter (who's first chair saxophone in the state) let's play a game. Who would you rather have if you could choose the Lakers next great big man?

Both 31 years old, both multiple MVPs - although Jokic has three. Whoa! Two NBA champions and finals MVP winners. Also both toting mostly a clean bill of health throughout their respective careers from an injury standpoint. Styles make fights in boxing and in this context I believe whichever style pairs better with Luka is the answer. For me, that would be Giannis, who does like having the ball in his hands also and can be a triple double threat himself - not sure how Dame Lillard feels about that. Jokic however (with the ball in his hands) slows the ball in the half court while picking apart defenses - A La Luka Doncic, which could effectively cancel each other out at times.

The real answer is there is no wrong choice. If you can get either one of these guys, outside of losing Luka you do it. Wether we are fortunate enough to land the Joker or the Freak, which also sounds like a movie villian you can expect a parade on Figueroa if any of these massive deals go down. Which would absolutely cost Austin Reaves.