NBA analyst gives Rob Pelinka ideal blueprint of big man to pair with Luka Doncic

December did little to convince Los Angeles Lakers fans that president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka can play it safe at the trade deadline. The Lakers went 5-7 in the month. They ranked 28th in net rating and 29th in defensive rating over the same span. Yikes.

But who should Pelinka target to fix LA’s defensive problems? Sam Amick of The Athletic recently proposed a trio of names: Herb Jones, Derrick Jones Jr., and Keon Ellis. Others have pointed to potential frontcourt reinforcements like Robert Williams III.

Amidst all the trade buzz, a theme prevails that would have shocked Lakers fans a year ago: LeBron James isn’t untouchable (provided Pelinka can convince James to waive his no-trade clause).

Piggybacking off of this idea, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Rob Mahoney were discussing possible LeBron trades on a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast. Mahoney shot down the idea of a LeBron and Austin Reaves package sent to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma.

In Mahoney’s view, Giannis isn’t a great fit with the Lakers because the two-time MVP is overqualified to play the role that Luka Doncic thrives alongside.

Rob Mahoney just revealed the prototype for the ideal Robin to Luka Doncic’s Batman

“The guy you want with Luka is somebody who's really comfortable screening and re-screening … (who gives Luka the) option as a pop player to attack the basket or … (as) a dedicated force on the role,” Mahoney said. 

“So it's like (Anthony) Davis five years ago,” Simmons replied.

“Davis five years ago, or Giannis earlier in his career,” Mahoney added.

Mahoney then surmised that Giannis might not be willing to function solely as a role player in this fashion, even if he’d be really good at it.

“Giannis would be the world's most overqualified role man playing with Luka," Mahoney said. "It's not what top-20 players all time usually do.”

Mahoney’s analysis, of course, leaves the Lakers shopping for the next best thing. Davis isn't the same player anymore, and Giannis wouldn't quite fit.

Another star who happens to fit this mold (and isn’t a significant downgrade, by any means) is Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. In fact, given Davis’ ongoing durability issues, Adebayo is arguably better than AD right now.

Miami probably isn’t interested in trading Bam, though, especially not for a 41-year-old LeBron and Reaves. Moreover, why would James waive his no-trade clause to join an Adebayo-less Heat squad, even in the weakened East?

Pelinka might know the blueprint for Luka’s best-case Robin, but that doesn’t mean acquiring such a player will be possible. It's hard to find these guys, and even when you do, their franchise likely isn't picking up your call about a trade.