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

[DanSchwartzgan]

I am pretty sure Collins blocks a lot (if not all) options to really make a contender level move in the summer. 

The only way I would consider Collins deal would be if a third team would be involved and paying assets to Utah. So a third team in need of a shooter gets THJ and sends expiring contract(s) and assets to Utah for Collins to Dallas.

DJJ may not be here next season.  If he's not, then you need to fill two holes.  I think filling one now and one then might be better than trying to fill two this summer.  We'll still have 25 and 31 and Holmes and kids even if we tie up the 2027 pick in some way.  I don't think 'blocks' is the right word.  Maybe 'hinders'?

I like the idea of involving a third team.  But, let's be clear.  I'm not advocating an unprotected 2027 for Collins.  There are so many ways of creating 'draft capital' with a team like Utah that has multiple picks in 2025 and 2027.  There is a world where we actually create more immediate value this summer by trading a lightly protected 2027 for the worst of Utah's three picks in 2025.  If a third team that wants THJ adds something to that, then Ainge turns space and a second into a nice haul (which was probably the point of Collins all along).