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

[omahen]

Playing time vs. Player perceived value:

I sometimes see comments about increasing a player's trade value (either through playing time or "starting"). The idea being that, if a team puts a player in a more prominent role, other teams will also perceive that a player is more valuable, and be wiling to give up more in trade.

Sometimes, maybe.  Sometimes an increased workload improves a player's efficiency.  Or maybe just raw numbers.  Or maybe just raises their profile, since their name gets mentioned more often.

Shame on a scouting department that would make their determination of a player's value based on another team's "polishing the turd".  Would you be happy with the Mavs', if they suddenly thought more highly of a player that was suddenly getting more minutes?

I'd argue that, in many cases, it actually helps a player's trade value when he receives less exposure, and the target team has to make a determination based on a small sample size.  Remember Roddy B?  His stock was sky-high for a few months.  I seem to remember Mark Cuban being interviewed and saying that only Dirk and Roddy B were untouchable.

I seem to remember that Derrick Jones, Jr. was in that category for awhile.  He'd get a few minutes on the court, get a couple of blocks and a highlight-reel dunk that got replayed on SportsCenter.  Until the league got to know him a little better, and his weaknesses were exposed.

A few months ago, wasn't Jaden Hardy the second coming of Andrew Toney?  Mr. Unstoppable, get his own shot whenever he wanted, etc.  But time and exposure temper our expectations.

So maybe Holmes' value is augmented by limiting his minutes.  Maybe only against other teams' second units.  Get some nice stats, a couple of highlight blocks, get the fans fawning over him on the message boards.  Then trade.

Holmes was basically in the role you are describing in Sacramento. Didn't really work well for his value...