Trade & FA 2023-24: Stein-Ingram Trade Inevitable| LAL Want Lebron Back On Any Terms

[Jakeospikez]

KP was definitely an elite rim protector here. Something that doesn't show up on the stat sheet is how many times guards drove into the paint and noped their way back out/passed out to the perimeter instead of getting a layup. If someone had access to some stat for team layups/dunks surrendered or something it's likely way less anytime KP was in. The block numbers were elite before the injury too. His problems were mostly about being a max contract player, made of glass, and not accepting his role. Demanded a certain number of possessions run through him with his post ups instead of through Luka, fine china so didn't want to set hard screens, roll, and bang down low. He's a great rim protecting stretch 5 but since he's a max contract player he wants to be a lot more than just that roleplayer. He started playing a lot more risk averse cause he is young and wants to get more max contracts instead of more knee injuries. If the Mavs can find someone similar to KP without the max contract and aversion to contact then the 5 position may finally be solved. Also, don't think he fit Kidd's blitz scheme. We'll see if they plan on continuing to use it or if they go with traditional bigs with the moves they make the next couple weeks.