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

[KillerLeft]

Atlanta offered Collins. Mavs wanted Capela. Atlanta didn't like that much. Mavs revisited talks many times. This is the way I see those talks went. Besides Dallas, I didn't see any smoke and I don't interpret that as in not any other team has any interest at all. It indicates to me that Dallas is the one pushing the talks. Sure, I may be wrong. Atlanta would like to feature OO more, but they already "lost" one frontcort player. I don't think they can afford to lose another one without one serious frontcourt guy coming in (Siakam or KAT). Okongwu can play next to either of them.

I think Atlanta is willing to trade basically anyone not named Trae or Murray to improve the team. Problem with the Holmes (or McGee or even THJ) ideas is, that they don't improve the team doing that trade. But they are not pressed to move anyone just to save money (already covered that by dumping Collins). That is why I don't see this deal being done without some asset going to Atlanta. I don't think Atlantas new FO can afford to dump two starters for nothing while the team wants to compete.

Also to note. Green and Okongwu didn't sign extensions yet. So perhaps both teams are more open to moving them than they publicly admit. I don't mean like actively shopping them. But willing to trade them for the right player.

I see both sides of this debate you two are having. I agree with elements of both perspectives.

But, just to add: it’s out there in multiple places that ATL is still trying to reduce payroll. Not sure if it’s true, but it’s out there. Possibly in preparation for the hasn’t-happened-yet extension you mentioned?

I also agree with FGump’s point earlier about just benching a starter, particularly a highly paid one, in favor of the new up and comer…doesn’t really work that way in real life. If ATL thinks OO is ready, they’ll find a way to move Capela, though I agree with you that they’d be loathe to give him away for nothing.