Game 19: Oklahoma City Thunder (12-6) vs. Dallas Mavericks (11-7) | 8:00pm CST

[Chicagojk]

I agree with everything else you wrote but this.  I feel like this mentality is what's gotten into this mess where we're relying so heavily on someone who can't drink legally for another 2 years.

I do agree that if you get a big wing who can also play backup center then you're probably fine handling those minutes in the playoffs by just going small but I think getting another traditional center who is better/more serviceable than Powell/Holmes probably nets you like 4-5 wins over a season honestly.  Those minutes with Lively on the bench are just so, so bad right now.

I probably worded my response wrong.  I will never turn down a deal that makes us better.   I fully expect Lively to hit the wall or at least have bad stretches this year.  I just wouldn't pay one of our few assets to get a veteran center at this point though.  

As for next year, I probably shouldn't have said I don't care about backup center.    I would look for guys like Hartenstein or Jerico Sims.  A player who doesn't cost a lot but are fit to be good backup centers.    Ideally if we find a big wing, there may be times where Grant fills in at small ball 5 in the future.   I would also look to buy a second round pick and use it on one of those centers that always fall.   A guy in the 5-10 million range or a throw in type in a bigger trade.