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

[Winter]

I think Isaiah Stewart is an interesting player.  I don't want the Mavericks to trade for him or Bogdanovic though.  I wouldn't want to include a first-round pick for a ba
I think we should go after an inexpensive backup center like Andre Drummond.  

I can't quite understand this argument. Drummond gets you rebounds but almost nothing else. He has to stay in the paint and wings just run around him. He's not even a shot blocker now, and he's not likely to defend anyone outside the paint. Drummond is averaging 13 mpg. That feels like a slightly better version of McGee. I might like him as 3rd big man... but he's a minor adjustment at best.

It's possible there are other big men who eventually become available, but Stewart is a 22-year-old athlete that has played center most of his short career. He started for Detroit almost immediately, and they apparently want to move him because of their roster issues. He does several thing Drummond can't do. He moves well in space, switches off pretty well when he needs to, and shoots an improving 3-point shot. He hasn't played with a good PG before - or even on a winning team. He's available now. 

It's a gamble, but it feels like we're all waiting around for the perfect player (that no one seems to agree on). Furthermore, we are largely unsure of the availability of anyone in particular. Stewart is young and has shown all the promise of a good, mid first-round draft pick. The Bojan-for-THj addition seems like a wash at worst, and the possibility of Detroit bundling Killian Hayes for a player is pretty much a non-event if someone like Holmes is outgoing.

The first-rounder is a thing to consider and perhaps the loss of Hardy is an issue if Detroit wants him. But the Mavs have a serious need in the middle, and I'm not getting anything that says Hardy is a necessity this year.