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

[mvossman]

Based on how the playoffs have gone so far, I am perfectly happy with the starting 5. Luka, Kyrie and centers were a lock in any case. PJ is doing a good enough job on both ends so he won't be considered to be moved. DJJ has been awesome defensively and is not a huge liability defensively. The only way to upgrade either PJ or DJJ would be if we bring in a third star, which would be of course paid near max money. Unlike FGump I don't think that would be too difficult to accomplish. THJ and Green is almost 30 mil, add in PJ or Maxi (depending which position you are replacing) and you get to 40 mil.

However, I think Mavs lack the 6th man, based on what we know so far. An all around guy that can do a bit of everything, a bit of creating for himself and others, a decent defender, can play off ball, can shoot. THJ can only shoot and he is not so great at it. Exum has totally dissapeared in the playoffs after he very much looked the part in regular season. Green is his same old same - brings some energy but way to timid and inconsistent.

While I always liked Grant, I don't think he is that much of an upgrade over PJ to be worth the trouble. He is certainly not the 6th man type, imho.

I agree with most of this, but the DJJ thing is based on a small sample.  He is career 32% from 3 and was 34 this season.  He has had a nice run in the playoffs so far, but my guess is that if we go deep enough he is going to regress to his averages.  I feel like he is somebody we could upgrade without getting a star.

Agree on the 6th man need. Exum has been so disappointing.  This is probably higher priority than 5th starter unless we can't hold on to DJJ.  Also agree on Grant.  Gives me a little bit of Kuz vibes.