Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Chicagojk]

I'm in the Anti-Durant trade camp.  I look at Christie as the de facto starter at SG (He closes and gets more minutes than Thompson).  So, with a lineup of Irving, Christie, PJ, AD and Lively all healthy, what do you really need (besides health)?  Who is your weak link that demands to be replaced?  Sorry, I don't see gutting the depth for the spread between KD and PJ (for instance).  I'm GREAT with Christie and PJ as my 4th/5th starters.

We can win games based on our depth. Gafford, Martin, Naji, Thompson (effectively).  The age and history of our stars demands good depth IMHO.  With AD and PJ having positional optionality, you have plenty up front and tons of wing-defender options (maybe too many).  As many many have noted, we could probably use some more creation off the bench.  I'd like to keep Exum, but I don't want to be dependent on Exum.  I'm fine if we trade Hardy and some wing depth for that creation or if we draft it and let it develop behind Exum.  I'm fine going to war the next three years with something like that.  If we get there we get there.  A championship was never guaranteed whether we did the Christie trade or not  

What worries me is the rumors around Nico's attempts to do a KD deal before the deadline and the fact AD gave up $6mm.  Did he really do that so we could trade Grimes for Martin?  I doubt it and that worries me.

What I am struggling with is how this team can become a contender again.   Just guessing, but I believe Nico wants a deep and physical team.    I think we are missing at least a piece, but I am not sure what that missing piece is.   I think we can assume that AD and Kyrie are the two untouchables.   I would hope Lively is close to that, but I am not sure.   Outside of that, I think no one is off limits.   I think the Mavs are higher than most of us on Thompson and I expect he is on the roster next season.   One of Exum or Dinwiddie should be back, but not in a role they are in now.   Exum you can't count on his health and Dinwiddie is too hot and cold and not a great defender.   

So if we assume Kyrie and AD are off limits.  Lively is close to it.  Klay is back.   Max is a high minute bench guy.   PJ can play 3 and backup 4.   I think that leaves a guard who can create and play both with Kyrie and Max.    I think he needs to be physical and big too.   I just don't know who that player is.    

The roster is already deep.  If healthy, with AD, Lively, Gafford, & Martin available, I have no idea how you find minutes for everyone.  So maybe a 2-1 trade with a pick makes sense for this player.   I just can't identify this player.