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

[F Gump]

That'd be an interesting move. However, it doesn't necessarily address the Mavs most dire need for a starting center. 

That said, the Garuba believers are intent that he just needs a chance and he'll break out as one of the best switch PF/C in the league. To be able to dump McGee and grab him might prove to be a move we'd be singing praises of a couple of years from now.

I'd imagine that OKC asks for a 2nd rounder, as they've been doing in practically every trade this offseason that involves them taking on money (although not for Bertans interestingly enough). Perhaps the Mavs letting them get below the roster limit is enough of a payment? Still I think Presti asks for one of the SAS 2nds, and at that point the deal looks a lot less interesting to me.

Shifting gears, the real trade I'm pining for is Valanciunas. Y'all remember when earlier this summer the Pels were rumored and ready to move on from the big man? They're about 3 mil over the tax, and I have to imagine they are still interested in getting below that. The Pels might be uniquely interested in taking cheap contracts to fill their rotation and get below the tax, as they are one of the few teams in the league with a 3-star payroll. 

Perhaps we can work OKC into a 3 team deal and the Mavs facilitate:

DAL: Valanciunas+Garuba (or any of OKC young guys below 4.5 mil that can be absorbed into the TPE). 
Pels: THJ+Ty Ty+Robinson-Earl
OKC: Larry Nance Jr. + one future 2nd from DAL

Everybody gets what they want here. Mavs get their starting center that is clear cut above Powell+Holmes. He is also on a 1 year contract so the potential to stunt Lively is reduced. Valanciunas also is a 36.8% shooter (albeit on low attempts) for spot up 3s, which means he could theoretically play next to Powell or Holmes if needed (although unlikely). Pels used similar lineups with Val+Jaxson Hayes with middling success. He can be the bruiser when needed and Holmes can be the de-facto PnR bench guy. Mavs still remain 2 mil under the tax and Garuba is injury insurance for Maxi.

Pelicans get their shooter they've been searching for who they've had interest in the past. They get Alvarado injury insurance, and a 6'9 switchable 4 that is in the mold of Nance Jr. on a cheaper contract (and isn't as good). They also get right below the tax line by about 800k.

OKC cash in on some young prospects, pick up a 2nd, and reduce their roster to 18. After what I assume a Bertans+Dipo waive they'd be at 16 and really only have to lose 1 young guy vs. 3. 


If you can't get through the wall of text, then to summarize, I think there is potential with the Pels for a Valanciunas deal and we can work a 3-team with OKC to where every team can get something that they want.

While I want to like the idea, 2 things to me are deal-killers, both of them major:
1 Mavs are already overloaded with bigs, and here we are trading 1 wing for 2 bigs. No can do.
2 I'm told Val lost a step (or maybe 3-4) last season, and his defense is now iffy. Not interested in that.

While not a deal-killer, I'd also object to the Mavs giving away picks just to give them. That's a Cuban motif, and it's bad. This is not a steal for the Mavs at all, and in fact they probably get the worst end of the deal [THJ is arguably the best player in this trade, and they solve problems for BOTH the Pels ($$) and OKC (numbers)]. The team getting a pick or two in this deal, if anyone, should be DAL.