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

[F Gump]

1. I don't get the back-up center, if there is no cheap solution. No need to rush trading Holmes and spending assets for expiring at TDL, especially not for a player who is not really a fit. They can always dump Holmes in the summer, if that is needed and will cost same (perhaps even less) as getting someone like Olynik. But there are also other ways to lower salaries, if needed. Or other guys that could be traded.

2. ... first priority is to get that guy. Than solve DJJ situation, if possible. 

3. " But if you have a better one, you still can't get him without opening up MLE room (which they lack)" DJJ and Exum are actual examples you can get such players for less than MLE  

1 We don't have any reason to think that Holmes can be moved into someone's cap space in the summer for just a 2nd, when almost everyone is fighting to increase their cap room. We just saw that this past summer, with McGee. And Holmes. They tried hard, and came up empty.

Using a 2nd is cheap. Not sure a needed salary dump of that size can ever get cheaper than a 2nd. (Not sure I follow your preference for trying to find someone else to move who is not Holmes. Huh? Why? That's certainly INCREASING the cost of such a move.)

2 You've tried to make this about DJJ vs Siakam (or the like), and it's not. Keeping the talent you already have does not preclude trying for a trade. And while looking for the trade (that may take years to find, let's be real), why let talent that fits the team walk away because you don't have MLE money? The name of the game is to keep building your talent base. Siakam may never be available. The price may take primarily player assets, not picks. Keep maximizing on multiple fronts.

3 If Olynyk doesn't excite you, that's fine, except then come up with a better expiring-contract idea for Holmes, rather than just the complaint that this one isn't ideal. You know that finding another DJJ/Exum out there next summer for cheap, sure that's great, except that's not a real answer because it's so unlikely. So what's your better idea that's cheaper than using Holmes and a 2nd for Olynyk? Offer Holmes and a swap of 2nds?! I don't object to someone better.

4 One other point that I think is relevant, which is that with the Hard Cap, it's crucial to get multiple useful rotation players locked up for the MLE or less. And in a situation like this, it looks to me like DJJ is that caliber of player and would be able to be kept at the MLE-or-below range. So to me, you don't want to let that window of opportunity be wasted.