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

[DanSchwartzgan]

I just want to say that Dan's posts today are brilliant and beautiful.

I think the best cure for the minutes logjam is THJ/Holmes/2nds for Ayton. I don't like Ayton. I don't like his contract. But because the Mavs have done so well at acquiring decent supporting players at reasonable contracts this offseason - 2 rookies, GW, Exum, Curry, DJJ - an albatross third contract isn't as painful.

Acquiring Ayton accomplishes three things:
1) Gets THJ out of Hardy's way as the third creator.
2) Gets not only the question mark of Holmes out of the way, but also ensures that Powell essentially won't play.
3) Makes it unnecessary to play Maxi at the five except as break glass in emergency.

Kyrie-Luka-Exum
Luka-Hardy-Curry-Exum
Green-OMax-GW
GW-OMax-Maxi-DJJ
Ayton-Lively

Thank you sir.

For many of the same reasons, I think J. Allen works here.  And, the numbers are interesting.  The deal would be Holmes/Green (much as I hate to say it).  Dallas would be $274k under the tax once McGee is S/W'd.  We'd be at 14 players again with the 2-for-1 (which is why Morris was necessary) and the depth chart works similarly to the way you envisioned it.  

Allen-Lively-Powell
GWill-Maxi- Morris
THJ-  DJJ-   OMP
Luka- Hardy-Curry
Irving-Exum

Cleveland only has 13 players on their roster right now (only 12 with full guarantees), so it appears they are holding a spot for something (like a 2-for-1 incoming deal?).  Allen isn't the PnR roller that Powell or Holmes are, but he makes up for it in rebounding and defense.  Starting THJ probably isn't ideal from a defensive standpoint, but in the post trade era, Irving/Doncic/THJ lineups were +13.3 (124.6/111.3).  Only Bullock (+0.2) and Powell (+7.5) were used in Kyrie/Luka lineups more.  Irving/Doncic/Green lineups were +2.6.  Irving/Doncic/Maxi lineups were +1.0.

If you look at the roster without Green, a lot of the stuff at the end of the bench makes great sense.  Powell is there in case Lively isn't ready by the playoffs.  Morris is there as Maxi insurance.  DJJ and Curry play the same veteran role as Powell with OMP and Hardy.  If the kids are ready, great.  If they aren't, Curry, DJJ and Powell all played real NBA minutes last season.

So, why isn't this done already....the trade restriction on Holmes, which runs out next week.  I really would hate to give up Green, but even I have to admit this is a better roster.  The one hole in the starting lineup is on-ball D, but Exum and DJJ will provide that as they sub in for THJ/Irving and Luka.  Similar to the GWill addition, Allen isn't old by any means...25 or about a year older than Luka.  The youngish core is Allen/Lively/GWill/OMP/Hardy/Luka.  Now, we just need a player like Green who can hit 3's and play on-ball defense and we are set