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

[omahen]

I suppose I'm the outlier in that I don't want to trade for Siakam.  I think the price would be higher than most are suggesting here.  I believe it would take OMax and the 2027 unprotected first and probably some picks swaps.  I'm not sure why Toronto would consider Josh Green or Hardy as assets as both have been bad this season.

I don't think he's the ideal PF for this team either.  He shoots poorly from 3 and is no longer a plus defender.  He doesn't rebound well. He's probably the most talented PF available but I personally don't like the fit at all.

Most importantly, his max contract would lock us into a really top-heavy roster.  We'd have no other way to add talent whether through free agency or the draft.  We'd lose DJJ after this season.  We would have three high-salary players then a bunch of minimum contract players.  Phoenix is currently conducting this same experiment and it's not going great for them.  

There was discussion recently about Isaiah Stewart and I think he's a much better fit if not as talented overall.  I would also prefer Gafford for a more reasonable price and much better contract.  I also like the Olynyk idea a lot even though it's hard to spell his name.  All are better options considering fit and price.

All top teams are top heavy. Denver is paying over 110 mil to their top 3 guys and another 36 to the other starters. Most expensive bench player is paid 5 mil. Boston will be paying 125 mil to their top 3 guys next season, followed by another 50 mil for remaining two starters. Horford is highest paid bench player with 9.5 mil. Milwaukee is paying 120 mil to their top 3 guys and another 25 mil to Lopez. Portis and Connaughton combined make 20 mil, everyone else is at minimum. We could go on. There are rare exceptions where some of the main guys might still be on their rookie deals. 

A true contender is top heavy and new CBA didn't stop teams from spending. At least not yet. At one point Mavs will need to make a move for a reliable (expensive) talent, or they will forever remain a fringe playoff team. As I said many times before, third best players are not without weaknesses, or they wouldn't be third best players. While I like Stewart, he is not imho what Mavs need to become a contender. Just another nice rotation player.