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

[DanSchwartzgan]

If Hayes doesn't work out (the most likely scenario) you let him walk, which takes care of most the extra cap from Stewart's extension.  So its basically a Hardy for Stewart trade.  I probably don't do that a couple of days ago, but folks on here are turning me around on Stewart.

That's how I look at it also.  Hardy and a second for Stewart (with next year's money largely a wash with Holmes and Hardy gone and presuming you don't keep Hayes...or sign him to a minimum).  With the emergence of Exum, Hardy's path is difficult here behind Exum, Green and THJ.  Also who is the higher priority for developmental minutes....OMax or Hardy?  There are only so many of those types of minutes to go around.  Hardy for Stewart moves assets from a position of abundance to a position of need.

Hayes is one of the worst offensive players in the league.  He has no right hand and no outside shot.  He moves the ball well and plays decent D.  Lots of similarities to Frankie Smokes (who is now a minimum wage guy).  I don't have an issue giving him a tryout for a few months, but expectations are low.  I do think something I mentioned in a previous post is kind of cool...Hayes's dad and Lively's mom were at Penn State at the same time for a good bit of their collegiate careers.