I have no idea why Lauri would prefer to go to GS. The team would be gutted and no way to improve their aging roster. They would be a playoff team if healthy but not a competitive one. Green has already fallen off and will continue. Steph is still elite but I am not sure that is enough to do much and they are 1 Steph injury away from out of the playoffs and wont have their own pick. He is better building something here. If he cares about winning then he would not sign an extension and sign as a FA with a team and give up the extra money. That way the team isnt gutted to trade from him. Or wait it out and build with Utah.
Personally I would not trade him for any package GS can or is offering. The only way I would feel slightly okay is if GS gives up every pick, swap, and young player we want. But I doubt they do that. So I think he stays since its a bad move to trade him.
That said I dont think we are a bottom 5 this year with Lauri, Sexton, and others. We are better than last year. Last year we were awful at the Guard positions for about the first half of the year. I think that part is likely solved. Sexton is drastically improved from the start of last year. I think Clarkson likely has a bounce back season, especially since I think he goes back to his role he is used to. I think its clear that Keyonte is improved. Not having THT get major minutes is a plus. Kessler will be improved. Collins improved a lot across last season despite being in a bad role for him. I think he has continued to learn and will be better after an off season with the staff. The 1st and 2nd year guys will be up and down but a few of them have a chance to actually contribute to winning.
Post trades last year should not really be looked at. The team went full tank and the players quit. They also benched a lot of guys and made it clear we wanted to lose and thats what happened. We lost a couple guys but I dont think that matters too much and the improvements from our other players is bigger than the loss of those guys. I think we are a borderline play in team again unless there is more trades with a chance to be even better if we have a breakout performance from a young guy.
Sexton would be the player to move to drop off but I dont think his value is high around the league. He also could take another jump and/or play like he did in the second half with more minutes and really be a difference maker. His value would jump up big time or make himself a keeper. If he can improve passing even more and play with Lauri better that could win a lot of games.
