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

[SleepingHero]

What scares me is with Ayton, aren't we in a similar spot that the Suns are currently in?  I guess except we would have 4 youngsters that PHX doesn't have anything close similar. 

I viewed the remaining move(s) as a tough physical guy who can defend multiple positions as the last move.  Without knowing if that move was available, it makes it hard to say if Ayton is the right move.  I viewed a move like Grant Williams while keeping your pick and maybe THJ for a final move over the next year.    I think I still prefer that route, but not sure if that tough physical wing/PF is available for what I would pay.

I don't think the Mavs are anywhere close to where PHX is in terms of being top heavy with talent. They have a starting 4, Cam Payne, and Wainwright. That's their roster right now and they're over the tax. 

Mavs have the young core termed by Kidd, Maxi, THJ, Bullock, McGee, and possibly Kyrie and they're slated to be about 13 mil under the tax. 

In terms of desperation I'd say PHX is much higher on that scale vs. Dallas. 

I find it curious why many around here lambasting the Ayton deal are assuming that Holmes can 1) actually be a contributing player given he was just jettisoned off for literally air. 2). Actually be played during the playoffs.

Ayton can be your starting center for every game. Even if we assume he has to be benched every game in the last 5 minutes when a team goes small, is that not the plight of literally every center save the epitome of the position and the 1-2 whose skills prevent them from suffering that fate?

If you're not Bam, Jokic, Embiid, AD, you're going to be benched no matter what when teams go small. I'd much rather have a starting center that can (and will) give me at least 15-20 a night with 10 rebounds for 30 minutes vs. jerry rigging this damn position like we've been doing for the past 12 years. Not to mention whose age fits right alongside that young core.