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

[Okstate819]

THJ is a much better offensive player than PJ Washington.  In all ways, shapes and forms.  His ability to hit a good percentage of his 3s on high volume is literally the most important skill a player can have playing off of Luka and Kyrie.  

He's the favorite for 6th man of the year because he is a really good offensive player who can carry us when either Kyrie or Luka is out or has a bad game.  

THJ is a bad defensive player.  Probably the worst in our rotation.  He draws the occasional charge but otherwise his defense is a liability.  PJ Washington is a below-average defensive player but he is better than THJ.

PJ Washington will make $15.5 million next season.  He's a backup on one of the league's worst teams.  He's a net negative on both offense and defense on EPM.  I don't see that as a good contract.

PJ Washington is better than Grant Williams.  If that's the trade, that's cool. 

THJ is better than PJ Washington though.  The message board groupthink here is just so strong that you think otherwise.

First off, its not groupthink just because its obvious. Secondly, any value THJ has is only inflated by playing next to Luka. He has one dimension to his game and when the 3s aren't falling he provides zero value when on the court. Undersized on the wing, cant guard smaller guards, terrible passer, zero playmaking, no rebounding, no length, nothing.... Hardy would be averaging 18 PPG if he played every minute THJ had this year. Point being, the skillset he brings is not that valuable when Luka and Kyrie are healthy

As for PJW, I would contend that using EPM to evaluate anything on that Charlotte dumpster fire of a situation is useless. He's undoubtedly talented and versatile. His efficiency would skyrocket next to Luka (as everyone's does). He provides some of the scoring in general, but adds more to this team offensively as a capable downhill attacker in 4 on 3 scenarios. Defensively he provides length and some switch ability. More importantly he provides at least average positional size at the 4 which we currently do not have.

I get the argument PJW is not worth the 27 1st. (Id try to make it a swap). I honestly dont know if  any other asset we have (Hardy, Omax) would even get Charlotte's attention. Assuming Green is off the table.