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

[mvossman]

I think y'all are overlooking a very real reality where Lively isn't ready, Holmes is shot, and we're stuck with McGee starting every night and playing 20mpg.

Ayton, for all of his flaws (and there really aren't a lot of them), would solidify the center position and provide Lively ample time to grow into his role. If Lively is more ready than what is previously thought, then you hit and are playing with house money given that Ayton only cost THJ+Holmes. Each year that passes is another year that is easier to move Ayton should Lively overtake him in the rotation.

In the meantime, you're adding one of 6 centers in the league that averaged 18/10. Has real playoff experience being a starter for a team that went to the finals, and isn't some slow plodding center.

Does he have motivation issues? There is a lot of evidence that he does. But there are also a lot of explanations as to why. I'd much rather run the risk of Ayton being unmotivated 50% max of the time (and have Lively cover the gaps), than hope Holmes can bounce back.

Also, THJ+Holmes is just the cost??? That's it??? I mean c'mon. That's practically free. Holmes wasn't apart of the roster last year and THJ is a great role player but isn't integral at all as evidence of the WCF run where the team didn't miss him for a single game.

There is a reason he is potentially that cheap.  He will be clogging our cap for years at a time when that is particularly punishing with the new CBA.  I will give you another what if.  What if it becomes brutally clear that Ayton is just another center with motor problems and Lively shows he is ready for significant minutes soon.  Now you are in a position where you have to dump Ayton after his value drops further.  Didn't we already go down this route with KP?