Trade & FA 2023-24: Lavine Market Barely There| NOP Want Trae or Murray

[SleepingHero]

I definitely don't want to add a new starter to this team unless that's just Lively replacing Gafford. Any additions need to be good defenders because that seems to be the identity of the team now. A top notch 6th man that can hold his own defensively would go a long ways. We need to retain DJJ and he needs to be the starting 4. Adding a star that can't defend will make this team worse imo. I'm highly confident PJ will be a great 3rd option next year.

I'm largely with the "Don't mess with the starting 5" crowd this summer. It works with Luka/Kyrie/DJJ/PJ/Gafford(Lively) lineup. But there is a world where DJJ regresses and looks like the guy he has always been at every other stop. If an obvious upgrade comes along the Mavs should take it.  

Who qualifies as an obvious upgrade is up for debate. I played with the Lebron+Bronny idea in the draft thread. Lebron as a player just makes a lot of sense and lets you dial back Luka during the regular season. Also allows Lebron to dial it back too. My only concerns are with his defense (and how bad he is now) plus the media circus that follows him. 

The one guy I've been pining over for forever is Lauri. Dude would do wonders here. Has the size of a 4/5, but the mobility of a 2/3. Can't create shots for himself off the dribble reliably but is arguably the most lethal spot up shooter in the league. 

Him with PJ and Lively is a formidable front court. Mavs lineup is:

Luka (6'8)
Kyrie (6'3)
PJ (6'7)
Lauri (7'0)
Lively (7'1) 

Just such a big lineup and filled with shooting. Luka being able to serve up Lauri open 3 after open 3 gets me going. Can never double anyone in this lineup cause you have 3 (maybe even 4 if we count PJ) 3-level scorers. Give up a bit on D but add a whole new dimension to the offense. 

No way the Mavs has what it takes though for a Lauri deal. I'd give up Green+OMax+Hardy+THJ+Maxi. Basically anyone not named Luka/Kyrie/PJ/Lively for Lauri. As well as 2025+2031 unprotected. I'm really that big of a fan of Lauri.