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

[SleepingHero]

That doesn’t change the equation for me, because I just saw what the Mavs were able to do with the #10 pick on draft night. You can’t tell me it makes sense to send this one (good chance it’s even better) out for Capela (whom I like). Its worth is either a greater aid to a Luka led team than this deal or a good way to jumpstart the post Luka Mavs world.

Capela doesn’t do quite enough for me in EITHER scenario, especially given the investment in Lively. Now, if they had a couple more picks to pony up and could get Siakim, the only true difference maker involved here, I’d happily pull the trigger, but in order to position yourself to even afford giving consideration to moves like that, you have to avoid spending your few and far between firsts in deals like this.

I mean I can't equivocate what the Mavs can do in 4 years given I have no idea what the roster will look like. Sure we can debate the usefulness on the pick in future deals and what supposed value it could bring, but those deals don't exist yet. 

But I do know that Luka's patience is running thin. The Mavs have been faffing around for the better part of 4 years never been doing enough. They were too liberal with their pick usage that led us to never having enough for a true big fish. Now I don't think they can afford to wait and stockpile assets for the next big guy (nor do I think that's what you're implying). Capela for all his warts does make a lot of sense. He's still really good. His history with a guy like Harden, who's playstyle is similar to Luka only emboldens that to me.

I can't imagine a better deal right now where the Mavs can use the 2027 pick, obtain a starting caliber center, shed off of McGee, and potentially get a young forward like Griffin in 1 swoop. The deals for massive difference maker stars like Siakam are too expensive. The Mavs can only get to that kind of package is if they wait till 2026 where, should they wait, would have 26, 31, 33 to trade with pick swaps in 2027 and 28. But that's 3 years down the line and again, like Nico said when they traded for Kyrie, he was more afraid of what would have happened if they didn't make that deal. 

Time is ticking.