Aloha,
Lots of trade chatter regarding Austin, especially to the Mav’s. Laker Tom has posted one. For me if I were to trade Autin to Dallas, I would ask for Lively and Max back. Max would at least give us a replacement shooting guard. With Kyrie out for most if not all of next year. They are desperate for a point guard. They will not be able to land anyone better than Austin, without a lot more salaries and picks. I would possibly consider Lively and Naji Marshall but I would want some draft capital as well. Marshall would be a big boost to our wing rotation.
The biggest problem with trading Austin is it opens up a hole at shooting guard and back up point guard. We won’t find one guy on the scrap heap that can do both. When making a trade one must consider the holes it opens in other areas.
My hope is we can assist Dallas in a 3 or 4 way deal that lands them a point guard and brings us Gafford. But if we are trading Austin, I definitely want Lively as part of the package.
I agree with your assessment, Michael.