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

[omahen]

Good news - The obvious salary match has to be JMc.
Bad news - He can only be a rental -- he becomes UFA  next summer, and he can't be extended before then. No telling what type of offers he might get. No RFA control.
Good news - But that reality might suppress the trade offers to beat.
Bad news - He's already about to turn 28, with only 4 years of NBA experience, and only 65 starts in 4 years.
Good news - But he does seem to still be getting better each year, with 49 starts and over 2000 minutes this last season.

Taking all that into consideration, I'm not offering a 1st, or even part of one. But I'm willing to talk about 2nd round picks (including swaps, and protections) and see where that takes things.

If there was some angle to being able to get a commitment for longer than a year, then a 1st (or part of one) begins to offer a way to make him more desirable. But that can't be done.

The initial news said Miami is seeking a FRP to include in the Lillard deal. So I guess the discussion is shut down if you come back with a 2 SRP offer. I doubt 2 SRP makes any difference in Miami trade discussions with Portland. 

He had awesome playoff run, which ended badly in the final series. A solid player of DFS mold. His market value is likely a bit over MLE (similar contract DFS got), but there is a risk someone offers him way more and it wouldn't make sense to match. So, from this perspective, he is more of a final piece for a contender, than a long term bet. I think his value is protected FRP, which Mavs don't have to offer. 

In general, I am not so sure why people are so against splitting the 2027 pick - there was similar discussion both in Capela case as well as now with Martin. 2027 pick on your own doesn't bring a superstar. It is basically a payment for a solid starter level player or two. Basically guys like Capela, Martin and a bunch of others. None of these guys is perfect. They all have their pluses and minuses. If they wouldn't have them, they would be stars and one FRP wouldn't be enough to get them. 

Mavs have the option to hold onto the pick and hope for a superstar offer next summer with 2025, 2027 and 2031 picks. But there are two problems with that:
1. There are only so many superstars and most often than not, Mavs were not able to get into play for one (not to mention there would still be plenty of teams able to offer better packages)
2. New CBA makes it difficult to construct a 3 max level players teams. 

Some have arguments, that 2027 pick comes after Luka is gone. But, if Mavs won't build a contender, Luka will certainly be gone. All contenders need to cash in their draft capital to build as good a team as possible.

As it is, Mavs still lack at least a center and could use another defensive minded wing besides Green and GW. On center, they certainly have a problem as Holmes and McGee deals will be very difficult to move this summer, meaning that new center would probably require contracts from other positions (THJ). They can decide to go with this team and solve the issues next summer, when expiring THJ, Holmes and McGee will be much easier to move. But, the risk they face is, they can have another bad season like last one, as the roster has obvious holes. 

That is why I am really intrigued by the alternative, which is using the 2027 and try to bring two better fitting guys, splitting the pick. For example as discussed (many other options like that could be possible to construct). THJ and 2027 FRP for Capela and protected FRP from either Toronto or Atlanta. Use that protected pick with either Holmes or McGee for a solid wing. Perhaps even Martin. I certainly wouldn't be opposed against getting Capela and Martin for 2027. Mavs would still have 2025 and 2031 for final touch next summer.