There is a huge difference between making a win now move with a 23 year old like Herro and one for a 33yr old. There is also a big difference between going out of your way to be terrible and going out of your way to focus on building our young core. As currently assembled I think we are a better team than last year but the teams around us in the west are better as well and a likely bottom 4 team. Trading for Jrue doesn't make us a legitimate contender and he immediately becomes a depreciating asset because of his age and contract situation. I see all these people posting about how we need to win now with Lauri on his cheap contract and keep him happy. That type of thinking is shortsighted and has failed too many teams to count. They suddenly have a guy that they view as a franchise player and want to bring in vets around him to win now and it usually blows up in their face because they turn into a solid but limited team with older regressing players and the star looks around and doesn't see a good path forward for the future. We just went down that road with a far more proven team. You say it's not about contending this year but progressing as a team which I agree is the goal but the problem is Jrue doesn't fit the timeline of progression. While other guys are progressing he is regressing and that is not what you want from a guy that will cost you a bunch of assets and salary.
As far as our draft pick goes I would much rather have a top 10 pick in the 2024 draft than a pick in the 15-20 range in the 2025 draft. There is a lot of **** talking on this board about the 2024 draft like they are all experts. There are plenty of very talented players in this draft and the top 10 should give you plenty of good choices.
