Trade & FA 2024-25:

[chaparral]

In the excitement of the moment earlier, I forgot that the Grimes path lessened the chance of making the Grant thing work without losing DJJ. I could make a pretty compelling argument for prioritizing Grant in that situation, but I don't think that's what Dallas will do. So, now that Grimes/DET were chosen, I'm looking ahead to a post-Grant world of wondering (even if I haven't completely given up hope).

The holes now (there aren't many) in my mind, are as follows:

1) a backup forward, probably more 4 than 3, who can play behind PJ and hopefully some 3 in a bigger lineup. I think it's folly to expect Kleber to suddenly be good at the 4, despite what we think would work based solely on size.

2) while I'm still on the more optimistic side with Kleber (as a stretch big, not a forward), it's fair to wonder whether now is a good time to get younger here. They've gotten younger everywhere else, and he is injured so often it's getting harder to hope he'll be healthy when needed. But, a stretch big who can defend is a hard, hard thing to find.

3) Those who don't believe in Hardy and/or Exum are probably freaking out about adding another ball-handler who can score. Grimes is not that.

It seems to me that giving DJJ the MLE, or a big chunk of it (I'm calling $8-11 million) and then finding someone who's basically a match for Green's contract that can fill either need #1 or #3 (but from my POV, probably #1) is the move here. If need #2 is your aim, maybe you include Kleber's contract into the thinking, somehow.

So, who fits this criteria?
DFS?
Cam Johnson?

Those are the first two names that came to mind for me. Anyone else?

I like you're thinking.

Green + Hardy for DFS works.  But I like Green + Kleber for Cam much better.