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

[DanSchwartzgan]

It also leaves THJ though.  I think it will be one of the two that gets moved (if anyone does) but I would think that the plan might be to create a bench of Green/GWill/backup center (miracle would be Maxi getting back into this role).

A playoff rotation of 
Luka
Kyrie
Exum
player x
Lively

Green
GWill
backup center

Could be a very formidable roster and something that could be achieved by next playoffs.

I look at it similarly.  I think Green eventually starts here alongside Luka, Kyrie, Lively and NewPF, but that  is an argument for another day (we are 7-1 when he starts).  You then have NewBackupC along with Exum (guards 1-3), DJJ (guards 2-4) and eventually OMax (Guards 3/4).  The nice thing about NewPF and DJJ is between them and (hopefully) Maxi you don't have to have OMax ready for this season's playoffs.  You can run an 8 man playoff rotation without him.

The bench is light on offense, but we don't platoon.  If NewPF can create (unlike THJ who currently occupies this salary or GWill), then you can keep two of Luka/Kyrie/NewPF on the floor at all times.  You also have Green and Exum who can help with ball handling and distribution.

So, Ideally NewPF can create for themselves and others and hit a 3 (think Bojan/Kuzma/Grant), but also defend and rebound (think Not Bojan/Kuzma/Grant).  We've talked about a ton of names and no one who is available seems to fit the bill.  A backup C is another position where there is disagreement about.  Do we run 48 minutes of a similar skill set or do we need a differentiated skill set (a better and healthy Maxi).  

To me, the guys who aren't necessary to this vision (besides Holmes) are THJ (I think his D and lack of playmaking is really detrimental), GWill (not good enough to start and blocks OMax backup opportunities) and Hardy.  Does anyone else even matter?  I would pay a premium if I could fill NewPF and NewBackupC all at one time as long as I don't have to touch the Luka/Irving/Lively/Green/Exum/DJJ/OMax core.  I'd also give up 2027 unprotected and add swaps if the level of player was high enough.  I know many here want to wait until the summer (or put better...think we have a better shot at accomplishing both this summer).  But, fill those two slots properly...now...and I think we can run with anyone in the playoffs.