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

[dirkfansince1998]

I understand that starting four is a greater need than backup five, but Dan (one of the smartest of us, tbh) has done well in outlining that his thought process is that the Mavs are 48-minutes-of-center-per-game-instead-of-24-minutes-of-center-per-game away from contention. I think they're still a step or two away from that, myself, but I understand the thought process. I also believe that we're far more likely to be able to trade for a starter next year, with two drafts picks instead of one, and with expiring contracts instead of contract deadweight, whereas what we can offer this year is more likely to be enough for a backup center.

Not sure if 48 minutes of rim running is enough to put the Mavs over the top. I have seen enough of Capela and similar bigs to have my doubts. Maybe a good move if the goal is to win 50 regular season games but come playoff time I can easily imagine that one of them is a DNP-schemed out of the game (I hope it won't be Lively). Leaving the Mavs with Maxi (if he ever returns) or Grant (super small).
If center minutes are what the Mavs need it has to be someone that can survive in the playoffs. Someone like Maxi. Just younger and healthy. Not easy to find. Maybe Stewart if Detroit still wants to add a couple of vets to right the ship. But it seems like the front office would prefer to move Bagley/Wiseman.