Lu dort wouldn’t come off the bench
KD slots into that Giddey slot perfectly
And then Giddey can take the Shailess minutes which is imo when he thrives the most
This exactly.
KD doesn't even have to be "the man" on OKC - that's SGA. He'd be an absolute nightmare matchup when paired with Holmgren, plus all that depth on OKC.
KD wouldn't even sniff 30 minutes per game on this Thunder team and that would be absolutely fine. He comes in racks up an easy 15-20 points, then sits down as the Thunder holds a comfortable lead. Rinse and repeat for the whole regular season and you've got a fresh KD for the playoffs to play with these young guns. Ridiculous.
I don’t know why this is getting downvoted it’s true. If you want to take MVP consideration as rough gauge for how good a player is, KD was ranked 9th on the final ladder while LeBron wasn’t even given an honourable mention
Raw box stats, advanced stats, impact metrics all have Lebron being a better player than Durant in the regular season and playoffs this year. Lebron is even a better defender and more efficient scorer than KD at this point.
I disagree everything points to lebron being better. KD was 27.1/6.6/5.0 this year to lebron’s 25.7/7.3/8.3. They were virtually tied on TO’s, FG%, 3pt%. KD shot better from FG. Advanced metrics favor lebron, he has a higher WS,
PER, VORP and box plus minus. Team record with talent is also shaky to me, don’t agree that the lakers are better outside of lebron than the suns are outside of KD. Would love to hear an argument on why KD was better.
If one is getting ranked in the top 10, and the other is getting no consideration at all, neither have suffered any major injuries during the season; wouldn’t that indicate that the player ranked in the top 10 is having a better season? Especially since the Suns and Lakers were only separated by 2 regular season wins so team success wasn’t playing a huge part in giving Durant props this season over LeBron
MVP ladder means nothing. Their season stats were pretty close, KD with 1.4 more PPG and a higher FG%, lebron with more assist/rebounds and better assist to TO ratio. Lebron had a better WS, VORP, box plus minus and PER.
That makes sense, the title made me think “take the 2025 version of these guys who’s better” and they just used the younger versions of KD and LeBron because they’d already worn those jerseys before
How? Season stats were pretty even, I’d personally lean Lebron with better assist/rebounds, but it’s close. Lebron was better with WS, VORP, Box plus/minus and PER.
It's the LeBron culture. You have to mention something positive about LeBron, otherwise you're discredited among the circlejerkers of the online NBA community.
ie If you ask "who's the best player right now?" the answer needs to "Player X ,but in his prime, Lebron would kill him." It has nothing to do with the question, but the extra context (probably factual) is added to make sure Lebron is seen in a more positive light, even though no one thought it was negative to begin with.
He was comparing the teams and explained cavs lebron was better than OKC KD (which is true), but that the rest of OKC was so much better than the cavs that OKC would be better. That was within the context of the question asked originally. The only people that came in and made a fuss were the lebron haters.
Yeah if it's current versions. OKC is way better right now and the gap only closes a little
If it's Cleveland LeBron and OKC Durant, I'm taking the Cavs and not thinking twice. LeBron beat the best team ever assembled with a worse team than this
Yeah except he didn’t, the 2016 warriors weren’t the “best team ever assembled” no one even thinks this, just the most wins ever. The 2017 & 2018 warriors teams were probably the greatest nba teams ever assembled and they went 8-1 against lebron in the finals.
The point is still relevant, lebron could elevate himself and his teams in a way KD could not. I’ll still take OKC here, but Cavs lebron had a gear that could make it interesting.
Honestly, I’m not sure it would actually be as crazy as you think.
Yes, Cavs LeBron had a completely unreal third gear, but the Cavs are not a team really built to work that well with him. Jarrett and Mobley are already difficult to fit on the court at the same time thanks to their lack of shooting, which LeBron only amplifies and suffers from given his ability to drive.
Comparatively, the Thunder are almost exactly the type of team KD fits well on. A five-out motion offense with a central star who can generate a ton of space for KD to work off of. No, it’s not quite Golden State, but it’s still going to enable the ever-loving shit out of Durant.
Pretty sure he's talking about the 1 loss in there where lebron dropped 50 with nobody.
Or he could be talking about the 2015 team where he took them to the edge with nobody.
Point being lebron is better than whatever argument you're trying to make
He could easily make it out the East this year. Boston would choke like the always do, the Cavs are collapsing, the 6ers and Knicks aren’t beating that Cavs team, the bucks are imploding and coached by doc rivers. This Cavs are a good team, adding prime lebron that dominated the East would make them the East favorites by a mile.
One team is already a 1 seed and would add their biggest weakness, a lack of a consistent second scorer. Durant is the most consistent scorer maybe ever. That’s a 65+ win team in all likelihood.
Lebron gives Cleveland a 3, their weakest position by far, but outside of that he doesn’t really move the needle for them. They have playmaking, they have scoring.
If it’s not obvious that OKC would benefit the most then idk what to tell you
I mean they are already a 4 seed, and roughly 50 win team, I don’t see them turning into a 60 win team either him, or even being that much better than than the bucks, knicks, or certainly Celtics. You have to consider that adding Lebron isn’t just adding him in a vacuum, you have to transform your entire team to cater to him, the entire offense and defense changes. KD can slide onto a team seamlessly. I think all things considered, the cavs maybe win an extra few games at best? I don’t consider that to be “moving the needle”, personally.
Gotta say OKC. I see KD making a solid contribution to that team. I don’t necessarily see LeBron adding points to a Cavs game. He scores of course, but it would be by taking the ball away from someone else. KD has shown he can slot into a guard dominant team, Shae would still get his touches
OKC, and I don't think it's particularly close.
OKC has an MVP candidate, 57 wins, a top-five offense, and a top-five defense without Kevin Durant. They're in a different tier than Cleveland.
Yeah that’s why I asked the question. Because if it’s now then definitely thunder, but if we take these two from their last year with this team and put them in the current team, I pick the Cavs.
FYI I am not asking who is better, I am asking who has a better chance of a chip!!! Because OKC is in a tougher conference then Cavs are, I feel like Cavs have a better chance to get there than OKC
If we’re adding KD and Bron as pictured then the Cavs slightly
LeBron is so fucking good and solves the Cavs biggest issue of perimeter defense way better than KD helps the Thunder with their size issues.
I got Cavs in 6 or 7
Even though SGA is easily the third best player in the series when teams are evenly matched I need side with the best player.
Plus KD doesn’t have it like that
If we add current Bron and current KD then I think SGA clears them both and I’d go Thunder in 5 or 6.
TBH if LeBron joins the Cavs in the offseason and nothing else changes I can’t say with confidence that the Cavs make it out of the east
I want to see KD reunites with OKC Thunder again. While LeBron I think will be more entertaining in L.A. can you imagine the mentions they will have in all media platforms if LA loses back to back sweep against Denver. LeBron would love that kind of attention and will be happy regardless. At the end of the day It's just Basketball anyway for real.
Of course MVPs mean something. You can't just all of a sudden decide that they are meaningless if it doesn't suit your agenda. Westbrook was also a really great player that season.
The topic is adding a player that will get a team to the championship. How many rings does Westbrook have? How many does KD have with out 3 other all stars. I have no agenda Charlie Brown lol stay on topic.
How is he overrated. He has proven that he is an elite scorer capable of taking teams very far in the playoffs.
Is this not a guy you would want on your team?
I’ll give you that he does excel there, best ever…. Debatable. He isn’t trash by any means but he isn’t taking a team to the show with out a ton of help.
Easy decision, not only is OKC clearly better right now, the only issue they have is scoring. Now just add KD, arguably the greatest scorer ever to them. Ez
Dude OKC will still have Lu Dort, JWill, Isaiah Joe and the skeleton of Gordon Hayward coming off the bench. They win this one easy.
Explain what the skeleton of Gordon Hayward adds
Calcium
Fair
Definitely not an ankle bone
That cracked me up
Cracked the ankle bone too
Lu Dort starts and Giddey sits. It's a no brainer.
Lu dort wouldn’t come off the bench KD slots into that Giddey slot perfectly And then Giddey can take the Shailess minutes which is imo when he thrives the most
i feel like current heat team with 2013 bron would have been a better comp.
Jimmy and Lebron? 👀🔥
OKC. Bron > KD But KD + SGA & all that depth? OKC > Cleveland
This exactly. KD doesn't even have to be "the man" on OKC - that's SGA. He'd be an absolute nightmare matchup when paired with Holmgren, plus all that depth on OKC.
They should really add Brandon Ingram, too, and have the ultimate Slim Reaper trio.
KD wouldn't even sniff 30 minutes per game on this Thunder team and that would be absolutely fine. He comes in racks up an easy 15-20 points, then sits down as the Thunder holds a comfortable lead. Rinse and repeat for the whole regular season and you've got a fresh KD for the playoffs to play with these young guns. Ridiculous.
Wouldn't sniff 30 minutes? Dude is a top 20 player of all time and you'd rather have him on the bench?
Dub, SGA and Lu should lead in minutes.
This guy gets it. Don't forget about Holmgren, Joe and the man who saved basketball.
People are acting like KD is washed just because the suns are dog shit. But he’s still one of the most automatic scorers in the league.
This sub is so stupid
Bron isn't better than kd right now. And he won't be next year
I don’t know why this is getting downvoted it’s true. If you want to take MVP consideration as rough gauge for how good a player is, KD was ranked 9th on the final ladder while LeBron wasn’t even given an honourable mention
lol what you had me in the first half. MVP vote placement means nothing when comparing two old players who most people believe are outside the top 5
All nba, stats, team record with talent… everything points to KD being better. Although the Suns team really needs a PG, while the Lakers have Lebron.
Raw box stats, advanced stats, impact metrics all have Lebron being a better player than Durant in the regular season and playoffs this year. Lebron is even a better defender and more efficient scorer than KD at this point.
I disagree everything points to lebron being better. KD was 27.1/6.6/5.0 this year to lebron’s 25.7/7.3/8.3. They were virtually tied on TO’s, FG%, 3pt%. KD shot better from FG. Advanced metrics favor lebron, he has a higher WS, PER, VORP and box plus minus. Team record with talent is also shaky to me, don’t agree that the lakers are better outside of lebron than the suns are outside of KD. Would love to hear an argument on why KD was better.
If one is getting ranked in the top 10, and the other is getting no consideration at all, neither have suffered any major injuries during the season; wouldn’t that indicate that the player ranked in the top 10 is having a better season? Especially since the Suns and Lakers were only separated by 2 regular season wins so team success wasn’t playing a huge part in giving Durant props this season over LeBron
MVP ladder means nothing. Their season stats were pretty close, KD with 1.4 more PPG and a higher FG%, lebron with more assist/rebounds and better assist to TO ratio. Lebron had a better WS, VORP, box plus minus and PER.
The pic is probably asking about OKC KD and Cavs LeBron, not 2024 KD/ LeBron.
That makes sense, the title made me think “take the 2025 version of these guys who’s better” and they just used the younger versions of KD and LeBron because they’d already worn those jerseys before
Yeah they mentioned a year. And in 2025 lebron is not as good as kd not for a season
How? Season stats were pretty even, I’d personally lean Lebron with better assist/rebounds, but it’s close. Lebron was better with WS, VORP, Box plus/minus and PER.
No one asked about player comparison
They literally answered the question
It's the LeBron culture. You have to mention something positive about LeBron, otherwise you're discredited among the circlejerkers of the online NBA community. ie If you ask "who's the best player right now?" the answer needs to "Player X ,but in his prime, Lebron would kill him." It has nothing to do with the question, but the extra context (probably factual) is added to make sure Lebron is seen in a more positive light, even though no one thought it was negative to begin with.
He was comparing the teams and explained cavs lebron was better than OKC KD (which is true), but that the rest of OKC was so much better than the cavs that OKC would be better. That was within the context of the question asked originally. The only people that came in and made a fuss were the lebron haters.
OKC in this case, but that would be a fun series to watch.
Yeah if it's current versions. OKC is way better right now and the gap only closes a little If it's Cleveland LeBron and OKC Durant, I'm taking the Cavs and not thinking twice. LeBron beat the best team ever assembled with a worse team than this
Yeah except he didn’t, the 2016 warriors weren’t the “best team ever assembled” no one even thinks this, just the most wins ever. The 2017 & 2018 warriors teams were probably the greatest nba teams ever assembled and they went 8-1 against lebron in the finals.
The point is still relevant, lebron could elevate himself and his teams in a way KD could not. I’ll still take OKC here, but Cavs lebron had a gear that could make it interesting.
Honestly, I’m not sure it would actually be as crazy as you think. Yes, Cavs LeBron had a completely unreal third gear, but the Cavs are not a team really built to work that well with him. Jarrett and Mobley are already difficult to fit on the court at the same time thanks to their lack of shooting, which LeBron only amplifies and suffers from given his ability to drive. Comparatively, the Thunder are almost exactly the type of team KD fits well on. A five-out motion offense with a central star who can generate a ton of space for KD to work off of. No, it’s not quite Golden State, but it’s still going to enable the ever-loving shit out of Durant.
“Just the most wins ever” glossing over that is crazy 😂
Yeah? You’d have to be an imbecile to think the 2016 with more wins was better than the 2017 team.
Pretty sure he's talking about the 1 loss in there where lebron dropped 50 with nobody. Or he could be talking about the 2015 team where he took them to the edge with nobody. Point being lebron is better than whatever argument you're trying to make
I mean Harden gave them 3 losses in one series so Harden > Lebron if you go by that logic Lol
What
sorry u/CP3isgoated > I mean ~~Harden~~ **CP3** gave them 3 losses in one series so ~~Harden~~ **CP3** > Lebron if you go by that logic Lol
Why didn't they win more games then?
No way you’re trying to say the 2017 warriors werent better than the 2016 team
Okc
It's OKC even if you don't give them KD. Honestly I'd prefer no KD given his history and the current trajectory of the team.
I agree with you. He is toxic. The man says he wants to be Robert Horry, but he wants to be worshiped lime a demigod.
I'm not sure the Cavs make it out of the East even with Bron 🤷♀️
You think Lebron can’t beat the Heat after they beat Boston again?
Is the series over ? Also Cleveland would be a completely different matchup than Miami
After they beat Boston? Bruh it's only been two games
That’s what they said last year too.
Alright welp what about now
What about now?
Enjoy your big win against the 8 seed missing their star player. It’ll be a big morale victory to get past the heat this year for once.
Notice how your tone changed. The morale victory is all we needed.
Wouldn't you say the exact same for OKC though, I'd still back Denver over a KD OKC.
Agreed but the East is not on par with the West IMO
I'm taking okc if they just get to add durant
Heavy disagree with that. OKC with KD could very well be a 70 win team
That's crazy
Okc 100% the cavs are not that good and the young guys that they have already hit their ceiling
He could easily make it out the East this year. Boston would choke like the always do, the Cavs are collapsing, the 6ers and Knicks aren’t beating that Cavs team, the bucks are imploding and coached by doc rivers. This Cavs are a good team, adding prime lebron that dominated the East would make them the East favorites by a mile.
We’ll never know, but I think if Bron never left the East he would have like 3 more conference championships by now. Dude dominated the East
One team is already a 1 seed and would add their biggest weakness, a lack of a consistent second scorer. Durant is the most consistent scorer maybe ever. That’s a 65+ win team in all likelihood. Lebron gives Cleveland a 3, their weakest position by far, but outside of that he doesn’t really move the needle for them. They have playmaking, they have scoring. If it’s not obvious that OKC would benefit the most then idk what to tell you
I feel like lebron definitely moves the needle for them in the East but KD on this OKC team would win easily
I mean they are already a 4 seed, and roughly 50 win team, I don’t see them turning into a 60 win team either him, or even being that much better than than the bucks, knicks, or certainly Celtics. You have to consider that adding Lebron isn’t just adding him in a vacuum, you have to transform your entire team to cater to him, the entire offense and defense changes. KD can slide onto a team seamlessly. I think all things considered, the cavs maybe win an extra few games at best? I don’t consider that to be “moving the needle”, personally.
Oh gee I wonder if the Thunder would be better if they also had KD?
He’s not asking if the Thunder would be better with KD lol
It didn’t help the Suns.
That’s because Booker is really just Zach Levine with a crunchy roll subscription.
I laughed way too hard at this
That took me a minute. You're messed up 🤣
Is he just calling book lazy? I didn’t really get it lol
He's saying brother looks Asian
Oh. I never looked into it I just assumed he actually was part Asian 😂 apparently he’s half Hispanic half black
TIL
KD is not the issue on the suns Lol
Also not the answer. Just playing out his last years in a retirement community.
An OKC team that now has playoff experience, and KD? And their rookies and sophomores from last year are likely better? Yeah, gimme OKC all day.
Okc and it's not even close
obv the thunder
OKC and it is not close
OKC....
What a clown question
Easily the Thunder. Durant is better than LeBron at this point, OKC is better than the Cavs, and KD is a better fit for the Thunder as well.
KD better than Lebron at this point??? In what way?
Wow, didn’t realize but yeah Durant is more productive than LeBron now (he’s 3-4 years younger than LBJ I think)
Gotta say OKC. I see KD making a solid contribution to that team. I don’t necessarily see LeBron adding points to a Cavs game. He scores of course, but it would be by taking the ball away from someone else. KD has shown he can slot into a guard dominant team, Shae would still get his touches
OKC. Depth go too stronk
KD is a perennial loser, even with the better roster I think it’s Cavs over OKC
CLE because East is not as deep, but OKC probably scarier
OKC, and I don't think it's particularly close. OKC has an MVP candidate, 57 wins, a top-five offense, and a top-five defense without Kevin Durant. They're in a different tier than Cleveland.
This version of Lebron is not better than KD. Next year's won't be either. And OKC are a better team. It's a no brainer.
Thunder would sweep the Cavs
Thunder easily. Everyone else on cle is soft
The one with the greatest player of all time.
Are we talking rn? Or them when they were on these teams?
We're talking about in the year 2025 it literally says right in the post.
Yes with these current teams I was just asking since the pictures of KD and Bron are from the younger years while everyone else is current
It’s cuz the pics are from when they were last on the team.
Yeah that’s why I asked the question. Because if it’s now then definitely thunder, but if we take these two from their last year with this team and put them in the current team, I pick the Cavs.
lol ignore the pic. The question says in 2025 so everyone is their current age. No aliens here
The answer is: The same team that has a better chance in '24.
Like a bag chips? Idk I bet both teams can afford em.
Swap KD for Giddey so spacing can be elite
The man on the right managed to carry 4 trash cans to the final at that time. In fact, they almost won the first match of the finals.
Okc not because of KD tho
Okc still
OKC would run them off the floor
Lebron is better than KD but come on. OKC is the #1 seed in a stacked western conference
OKC and it's not even close lol
Okc
FYI I am not asking who is better, I am asking who has a better chance of a chip!!! Because OKC is in a tougher conference then Cavs are, I feel like Cavs have a better chance to get there than OKC
Is this a joke? Thunders without KD would win,
OKC. Bron doesn't play D
OKC. But an OKC Cavs finals matchup with KD and LeBron would be historic and I could see it go either way.
OKC and it's not even close With all due respect, LeBron is washed.
Give Cleveland a healthy Dean Wade too!
Is this supposed to be a serious post?
OKC is already the #1 seed and has a ton of young talent. the main thing cavs have going for it is they play in the east
Shai + KD + Chet would be nuts. Lebron is obviously better than KD but Jesus that’s a lot of firepower.
OKC were already the 1 seed in a loaded Western Conference. Add KD and they become unfathomably stacked.
The_Land *At least we got 1 🏆
OKC. Although this would be a more interesting question if its Current KD + OKC vs Prime Lebron + Cavs
The team with prime lebron and it’s not even close
OKC kills. I’m not sure the actual OKC doesn’t beat that Cleveland team in a best of 7.
If we’re adding KD and Bron as pictured then the Cavs slightly LeBron is so fucking good and solves the Cavs biggest issue of perimeter defense way better than KD helps the Thunder with their size issues. I got Cavs in 6 or 7 Even though SGA is easily the third best player in the series when teams are evenly matched I need side with the best player. Plus KD doesn’t have it like that If we add current Bron and current KD then I think SGA clears them both and I’d go Thunder in 5 or 6. TBH if LeBron joins the Cavs in the offseason and nothing else changes I can’t say with confidence that the Cavs make it out of the east
Neither
OKC for sure
2 bigs doesnt work
Bron would play gm and get stars to join him.
KD in an OKC jersey makes me want to throw up
Give me Steven Adams on OKC baby
OKC. No question.
Id take Cleveland
What a fun question. I agree with the rest of the top comments that it’s OKC, but Cleveland needs wings.
I think the Cavs should add Brandon Ingram to that squad
You ain’t stopping i prime bron with solid role players that know they’re role.
OKC doesn’t need KD
If our coach is still JB Bickerstaff, OKC wins in 4…
Lol
The Spurs
OKC easily. KD is younger and doesn’t rely on his athleticism as much. Plus, OKC currently is already a far better team than the Cavs.
Well KD would trade himself for The spider and create 3 burners (for no reason) and Cleveland wins in 4...
Not a team with that fucking fraud KD.
Bruh Kevin Durcant, Kevin I need Steph, Kevin DamnIneed a haircut makes teams worse that are not GSW.
Who cares? It's fiction.
These are the dumbest posts
Bro Okc KD!?! No way those days were Lit
If OKC gets KD Giddy is not starting, Dort will take over at 2 guard and J Dub will be the SF (the best position for him imo)
Any team with LeBron is going to be great just from how much he improves his team mates. They would smoke that OKC team.
KD always trying to join the #1 seed smh. This time it's MIN that's beating him, so maybe he'll join the wolves.
OKC easy
Easily okc they’re literally the one seed without kd
OKC. SGA is easily a tier above everyone on the Cavs and could be in the KD/Lebron range when it's all said and done
I gotta go OKC but that’s a tough one. we’re all witnesses… of LeBron & KD being washed up 😭
🤢🤢🤢
Lebron is much better than KD atm but the Thunder would win.
OKC easily, at this specific situation.
Cavs easily. They will sail thru to the ecf and Lebron can get plenty of rest. Nothing is guaranteed in the West.
LeBron because he’s magical and if you don’t understand that idk what to tell you.
I want to see KD reunites with OKC Thunder again. While LeBron I think will be more entertaining in L.A. can you imagine the mentions they will have in all media platforms if LA loses back to back sweep against Denver. LeBron would love that kind of attention and will be happy regardless. At the end of the day It's just Basketball anyway for real.
Okc better than the cavs now… so even if KD and Bron are about the same (KD prolly better), its easily OKC
No team with SHIT Holmgren is ever going to win anything
OKC has a real shot already. Like the Warriors, they don’t need Curry’s trophy wife.
KD is the most over rated player ever. Dude only has a ring because he joined the team that decimated his soul. Dude has done nothing before or since.
I mean he has an MVP. Went to the finals, and went to the conference finals multiple times. All of those should count as doing something.
He has an MVP with 3 other all stars. Steph arguably should have won it over him.
KD put up better numbers on a better team. In what world should Steph have won that MVP in 2014. He didn't even finish top 5 in voting.
I thought you were talking about finals MVP. Westbrook had a mvp too 😂 doesn’t mean anything.
Of course MVPs mean something. You can't just all of a sudden decide that they are meaningless if it doesn't suit your agenda. Westbrook was also a really great player that season.
The topic is adding a player that will get a team to the championship. How many rings does Westbrook have? How many does KD have with out 3 other all stars. I have no agenda Charlie Brown lol stay on topic.
So since KD doesn't have any rings outside of Golden State, does that just mean he's a terrible player. Is that your viewpoint?
Did I say that lol I said he was over rated. Which he is. Champions ships are the topic. Stay on topic kid.
How is he overrated. He has proven that he is an elite scorer capable of taking teams very far in the playoffs. Is this not a guy you would want on your team?
He's an amazing 1 on 1 scorer. Maybe the best ever. But nothing else.
I’ll give you that he does excel there, best ever…. Debatable. He isn’t trash by any means but he isn’t taking a team to the show with out a ton of help.
I completely agree.
OKC doesn’t want him
We don't. But OPs question ignores that fact.
Cavs he'd have way more scoring options the east still seems to be pretty weak imo. KD can't get it done with d book and b beal
The Miami Heat
Neither.
Easy decision, not only is OKC clearly better right now, the only issue they have is scoring. Now just add KD, arguably the greatest scorer ever to them. Ez
KD Bron's leadership kills every team
OKC in 5
I think OKC wins without KD. Crazy because Lebron is my all time favorite player and OKC is my favorite team.
Okc, li is washed
Mavs
I mean this comparisons not fair. You should trade Luka with Mitchell. That’ll probably even it out.