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

[omahen]

I think OG makes this team a level better pretty quickly. He is uniquely able to help in both areas of desperate need: 1) helping to cover for Luka/Kyrie on perimeter D and 2) being physical in the paint.  He can play either forward spot - can hang with ball-handlers in a big defensive lineup, and can play bigger than his size in a small ball defensive lineup. 

My only reservations are about what it would COST. Tough for me to come off of assets that could make a big difference in a later deal when I feel like O-Max could be doing all of the above in 2-3 months, or at least by next season.

I perfectly agree with the first paragpraph.

But, I just don't see how Omax would come anywhere close to OG in 2-3 months. 2-3 years, perhaps. 

As for assets, for me it is pretty simple. If I believe OG type player is a guy that lifts us to contender status, I don't care how much it costs in terms of assets and salary. There are only so many "OG types" around, and when one becomes available, you get him. Building a team is about putting right pieces together. If you are waiting for years because you want to "win" a trade, Kyrie will be old and Luka might become tired. Then you will have a whole different puzzle to solve. Big three of Luka, Kyrie and serious 2-way wing would be really dangerous with the pieces Mavs have today. More realistic time to get that would be summer imho, not TDL.

Personally, this same core with a good wing and a year older Lively could be serious. I was claiming whole summer, Mavs need a good center and 2-way wing. Lively surprised us all and actually looks pretty close to that good centre we need. This means 2-way wing, the number three guy, is what is missing. DJJ has been much better than expected, at least in some games, but he is imho not the answer. Even his best version.