Best player

[jazznik]

I think that's to be expected if (as you seem to be) you're purely rating them based on offensive output. There a discussion could realistically be had, even if Keyonte's sample size at the highest level is still only about a month+.

But Lauri is an average NBA player on D. Maybe even slightly above average. Keyonte is one of the worst in the league. So even if you ranked them about equally on O, Lauri would still be 50 % "better" as a player.

I actually rate Keyonte quite a bit above Lauri on offense. Both of them have gravity, both can drive to the rim and both get about the same amount of points. The difference lays in Keyonte's passing ability: he can run the offense and set up his teammates nicely with his precise passing. Unfortunately, Lauri is not a good passer.

I think that Keyonte's passing turns Lauri's defensive advantage in a wash. And then Keyonte's ability to hit tough clutch shots puts him in the lead.

Of course, as bigmike said, we don't know if Keyonte can sustain his recent production over the entire season and I am probably pushing it. I just thought that this would be a timely topic to talk about a bit.

 

[jazznik]

The Jazz are 12.28pts per 100 possession better with Lauri on the court than when he is off the court. They are 1.34pts per 100 possessions better with Keyonte on the court than when he is off the court.

It's not currently close (but Keyonte is only 22yo)

But these are the full-season stats. Keyonte clearly improved over the course of the season and has been playing much better in the last 40 days or so.
Just look at last five games where they both played (raw plus-minus):

GSW: Keyonte -5, Lauri -2.
Boston: Keyonte +8, Lauri +13.
SAS: Keyonte +18, Lauri +7.
Detroit: Keyonte +10, Lauri +7.
Denver: Keyonte -12, Lauri -9.

Pretty even.

 

[Tanktastic]

I think that Keyonte's passing turns Lauri's defensive advantage in a wash.

Keyonte would have to be twice as good an offensive player for them to be even. He would have to be Space Jam levels above everyone else in the NBA to be that. He isn't (obviously).

Raw +- from a handful of recent games doesn't change that Keyonte is one of the worst defenders in the whole goddamn league.

 

[KqWIN]

If only there were a way to sift through all the lineups and mathematically adjust +\- according the teammates and opponents a player shares the court with.