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

[mvossman]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and when we get to watch a healthy Exum play I think it changes the conversation in a really big way.  Is Exum not a two way player that can defend the POA, shoot and provide a little creation?

I say this because with a team that has Luka and Kyrie it's clear that you'll need two things, a big wing who can play weakside defense, help with rebounding and rim protection, space the floor and hopefully create for himself in a pinch and the POA defender that was described above.  With PJ Washington and Exum playing and closing games, isn't that what we have?  And with Lively/Gafford/Maxi it's kind of pick which center makes the most sense to close that night.

I say this knowing every player I just mentioned is under contract next year and I would argue that the only reason we talk about getting that POA defender instead of a big wing is because of Exum's health (which is a valid concern).  But when you zoom out, don't we have the pieces and we're really just looking for a talent upgrade?  Is PJ really more reliable in his role than Exum is in his?  Couldn't we really just be using all our other assets to shop for a talent upgrade for either spot and know that we'll end up with a talented player in either PJ or Exum coming off the bench?  

I guess what I'm saying is we keep talking as if we're missing a skillset on the roster that we need to shop for and in reality I think we have what we need and just need certain players to stay healthy so why not just take the best wing available regardless of their ideal defensive role?  The only downside to taking a PJ upgrade and moving him to the bench (a role that he has been playing all year for a lesser team) is that it's a big role of the dice on Exum's healthy but I've seen enough of him when healthy to know he's exactly the type of player you want slotted next to Luka and Kyrie down the stretch.

I feel like you are underselling the importance of health. I also think we dealing with a small sample in Exum (due to lack of health). He has missed a lot of games, played less than 20 minutes a game and taken less than 2 threes a game. I’m not sure what we have in him yet. I want to see more from him both as a high minute player and healthy before I am comfortable penciling him in as long term starter