Help me out. Trade or Not?

[co_laper]

So this is the team I currently have.

C: Marcus Camby, Tiago Splitter, Fab Melo
PF: Tim Duncan, Udonis Haslem
SF: Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Jackson
SG: Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Gary Neal
PG: Tony Parker, Jimmer Fredette

I have a deal on the table, which is David Lee for Splitter, Jackson, Neal, and Melo.

The lineup after the trade is:
C: Tim Duncan, Marcus Camby
PF: David Lee, Udonis Haslem
SF: Kawhi Leonard
SG: Manu Ginobili, Danny Green
PG: Tony Parker, Jimmer Fredette

I still have the Bi-Annual Exception to add a SF. Just a few things to point out, I know we loses our depth, but I felt after having the depth last year in the playoffs and it disappears, i rather have 8-9 quality players than 12-13 good players. it was good in the regular season, but it was worthless in the playoffs where the best players need to play big minutes.

this trade also allows me to get David Lee, who is an awesome rebounder, passer, and has a strong midrange game. Camby becomes a backup C, probably better suited for him as a 15-18 minute guy instead of a starting C. Jimmer I like as a scorer off the bench in the mold of JET or Ben Gordon. I think it's a stronger 9 man unit especially after I add my BAE for a SF. That will give me a solid 10 man rotation and I'll fill out the rest of the roster with veteran minimums.

[Nolan]

Not a big fan of Lee so I wouldn't do it. Splitter's a better defender and Jackson and Neal are both great off the bench. I wouldn't do it.

[co_laper]

At the same time, do you think it's worth the sacrifice to shorten our bench?

I'm giving up what currently is my backup center, third string center, backup sf, and third string sg for a starting PF. I'm thinking that I'm not really giving up anything of value. Even without Splitter, a Duncan, Lee, Camby, Haslem frontline is strong enough. a perimeter lineup of Kawhi, Manu, Parker, Green, Fredette, and say.. Delfino (FA on my radar) is a solid perimeter lineup.

[Black_Jack21]

I'd do it.
Lee is a solid starter and good rebounder. Plus, like you said in the big scheme I things you're trading some spare parts for a legit starting PF.

[2Mas]

You get the best player in the trade? Yeah you do it. IDK where that's coming from (like your team in 2k?, fantasy team) whatever but even if you sign Pietrus, Delfino whoever, if good enough. Lee takes a ton of pressure off Timmy & would probably be the best big he played with since David Robinson lol. Oberto, Horry, MyDyess, Diaw, whoever < David Lee.

Do it every time man!

[co_laper]

Well it's a sim league.

Believe it or not, I've got 2 trades vetoed by the league.

I agreed to a Zach Randolph for Stephen Jackson, Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal, and Fab Melo deal. Memphis did it for salary reasons.

I also agreed to the same package for David Lee. Got that vetoed too.

I almost had an agreement with Utah for Al Jefferson but it costs me Kawhi, Splitter, and Jackson.

Has another deal for Gortat and Dudley for Kawhi and Jackson but I'm hesitent on doing this.

But anyways, I'm with the thinking that if there is a time where the Spurs net a star player in trade, this might be the year.

Obviously we have the expirings that will entice teams. Jackson and Splitter combined for 14 million of expiring contract. And ofcourse teams don't just want expirings for their star player. They'll ask for some young talent and that's where Kawhi and to a lesser extent Danny Green/Dejuan Blair comes in.

As much as I like Kawhi, I personally can't see a franchise talent in him. I think his ceiling is as a great role player and that's still a few years down the line. Like 5 years down the line when he hits his prime. In a fantasy situation, I don't think you plan for 5 years down the line. I play for the next 2-3 years and that's why perhaps I don't value Kawhi as much as I should.

Plus, Kawhi's value right now is at an all time high. Realistically, his role isn't going to change much this coming season. We're still very deep and even if Kawhi starts getting 32 minutes a night, he's not suddenly going to become a big time scorer. 32 minutes a night and he'll get what? 12 points? He should do well in rebounds.. perhaps 7 or slightly under 8. Even if Kawhi finish this coming season with a 12-7 average, his value won't be higher than it is now when everyone is expecting Kawhi to be the second coming of Shawn Marion. 5 years down the line, I hope that's what Kawhi becomes.