02-06-2024, 12:49 PM
(02-06-2024, 12:15 PM)mvossman Wrote: Yep. I find if there is a trade I would definitely do, its probably too light on our side.
I find myself fully in Omahen's camp. We need to add a high level starting forward to this team. That feels like the missing piece. If the lineup Lively/???/Luka/Kyrie looks like a contender to me, then we should pay assets for that piece. That player does not need to be a star, just a legit two way player. I've been more than vocal that I don't think Kuz makes that a contending lineup due to defensive and offensive efficiency concerns. I feel the same way about PJ. Siakam or OG would have made that a contending lineup (maybe not this season, but by next season with a few more tweaks). Using assets to bring in a starting forward now that we will likely need to upgrade in order to contend does not make a lot of sense.
It makes even less sense to spend assets for a backup big. After a rough start to the season, Powell has actually been good, and now we are seeing signs of life with Maxi. Anything more than a second is wasting assets.
We need a back-up center as much as a scoring forward. Lively/Goga can probably protect the rim for 48 minutes and if the opposing team chooses to go small on them, we can insert Powell or Kleber into the line-up. But then it becomes OUR choice, not OUR DESPERATION, due to lack of better rebounding/rim-protection options. We need to balance out the frontcourt. DJJ/Exum are very good defenders, but in today´s NBA you cannot stop guards completely anymore, but you can funnel them into uncomfortable places. A floater over well-positioned Lively/Goga is a tough shot. A floater over Powell/Grant is a "is there anybody here" shot.