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

[omahen]

Yeah, the thing with me lately (especially now that the Mavs seem to be both good AND young, simultaneously) is: do any of these old, household names still want to get it done? I think that's kind of a legit question. 

Are Kawhi and George still TRYING to play more games each year than they typically do, or are they just resigned to the idea that they'll use nagging injuries to get out of work a fair amount of the season and then start playing for real about two weeks before the playoffs? Because...yeah, they're great...but I'm not sure they're that great anymore. Know what I mean? 

I feel the same way about that PHX team. I'm sorry, but it just doesn't scare me. They'll probably be better than the Mavs this year, but I'd WAY rather be the MAVS than the Suns right now. Idk, maybe I'm alone in that. I just think we're witnessing a changing of the guard right now. I think that whole LeBron, KD, PG, Kawhi, Durant, Curry thing...it's kind of almost over. If I'm the Mavs I'm planning for after.

I am also not convinced about Phoenix, but I think there would be an important difference between their big3 and potential Mavs one. Those are just stars put together because they are stars. It doesn't matter than neither is a point guard, that all basically played same role for their teams in the past, that all are injury prone, two are paid huge money for many more years and one is old. I think a big3 of Luka-Kyrie-(lets say) George would be far more dangerous. than Phoenix big3. Besides, I would only do "the George move" if I would keep most of guys in the top 10 rotation. Phoenix gave all their depth for Durant. George might still be hungry for that ring. Kawhi is a robot and he is unstoppable when he really wants it. But, looks like they ran out of his spare parts. It took only a couple of playoff games at full power last season for him to break down. 

It would be great to plan to go after a younger guy. 3 picks Mavs have next season might be enough to get one. I just don't see a great target, unless perhaps OG makes it till summer and wants to find his way to Mavs then.