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

[DanSchwartzgan]

I would consider Collins if the price is low.His 3 point shot is back and he’s learned how to defend. He could be a fifth starter. Mavs already have a big 3, and Exum is a good #4. They’re in excellent shape. You could do a lot worse than Grant, Collins, and DJj splitting minutes up front.

I'm not quite ready to anoint Exum as a starter when everyone is healthy and while I like his drive and drive-n-dish game, he needs to be better from 3 to be a true 2-way player.  But, I think he fits well here in the top 7/8 and is needed.  I thought from the beginning he made more sense getting minutes than THJ, Hardy or Seth (though it is difficult sitting THJ given the money he makes and the need to keep his value high).  Thank you Dennis Lindsay.

I'd probably slot Collins as fourth (note, both he and THJ were unexpected scratches last night...illness for Collins and back spasms for THJ).  So, you have two ball handlers in Luka and Kyrie and a C/PF combo in Lively/Collins.  Any of Grant, Green, DJJ and Exum could be the fifth starter with the other three filling diverse bench roles.  Another thing I like about Collins is he would make Maxi more valuable.  Maxi/GWill or Maxi/DJJ is too small.  But, Maxi/Collins works from a size/rebounding standpoint and Collins can be the roll-man or the outside shooter in such lineups.  If he were a better defender, he'd be a really good pickup for this team.  Of course, if he were, he'd be untouchable.  

This is more for Killer/Omahen, but I'm not buying the 'it didn't work in Atlanta' argument.  Nothing works in Atlanta.  Trae Young makes players worse while everyone who comes here gets a Luka-bump.  This board tends to poo-poo everyone we trade for or sign until we see them play here.  Then the tune changes.  I don't think Capela is the vertical threat or paint deterrent that Lively is (or will be) and I don't think Atlanta has defenders who compare well to the secondary guys mentioned above.  In a world where the reasonably available options for this spot have huge holes in their games, Collins fits well with a diverse skill set and with THJ gone there are more than enough shots to satisfy Collins with some left over for others.