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

[RGP1981]

Shifting gears, the real trade I'm pining for is Valanciunas.

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

Really not liking the imagined fit (in my head) of Valanciunas with Luka and Kyrie. The Mavs need someone with more mobility. If you look on Pelicans Report, even Pels fans feel the same about Jonas although their team has more mobile defenders.

I think it's wiser to stick with Holmes temporarily, until a better opportunity than Jonas comes along. Also, the flip side of Jonas being an expiring contract... THJ can yet be used in an out-going trade next summer, while Jonas can't be unless extended and who knows what that will cost and for how many years. Better a known than an unknown, since neither should be in this roster's long-term plans IMO.

By the way, about Garuba, only thinking there is it is nice to have options. Not really expecting much. Guess the hope is he might become a serviceable backup big who can fit with Kleber for some portions of games... like:

- Kyrie, Green, Luka, Garuba, Kleber.

I much prefer Jarred Vanderbilt though, if the Mavs FO can get the Lakers to part with him. Not only for his defense but it would also be real nice if his fitness and mobility levels could motivate some others on the roster to improve their own.

The main contenders next season seem to be Nuggets, Suns, Lakers and Celtics. Green and Vando would be a nice defensive duo to sic on some of their key players like Murray-MPJ, Booker-Durant, Reaves-AD, Brown-Tatum.