02-07-2026, 09:56 PM
(02-07-2026, 09:16 PM)cow Wrote: Hope for once was instead of the reality of what is. His name was thrown around here a ton in the recent past.
You forget WHY Lonzo's name was thrown around. Lonzo was apparently going to be traded away, because he was not a fit in CHI. The hope was that the Mavs could trade for him with his issues, as a distressed asset that CHI had no use for, and the Mavs be able to shed some of their bad salary attached to somewhat-playable players (Martin, Hardy). The Bulls would get talent more useful than Lonzo, and the Mavs would get Lonzo's expiring carcass. If he could help, even better. The point - stated repeatedly and strongly - was that whether Lonzo ultimately could play or not, getting him in a deal like that would be a significant step forward by getting rid of Martin and/or Hardy contracts.
Unfortunately, CLE felt Ball was their answer as a backup PG, so offered Okoro. CLE played him a lot. He was way bad. But he would have been a great get for the Mavs in a swap for Martin and Hardy. Without that deadweight hanging over their roster, the Mavs would have had way better choices and flexibility.