LaVine isn't close to Kyrie's talent and never has been. Kyrie has never been bad or non-impactful towards winning. He was just a bit cocoo for coco puffs, but it's worked out in his situation for Dallas. The reason Kyrie always got another opportunity is because he's so damn good when he's actually on the basketball floor. If LaVine were viewed in a similar light, there would be teams lining up to trade for him.
How do you not see the horrible downside if LaVine busts? You just have an immovable contract with no means to upgrade the team because of the contracts we already have. That's the truly hitting the middle.
But isn't that kind of reflected in their respective trade values? If the Bulls are asking for future picks they can kick rocks lol.
No, I don't see the total downside although I certainly see reasons why other options should be higher up the list. Unless you think the Kings are a contender as they currently sit and just need time then the downside doesn't mean much. Even if it messed up your chemistry, which with LaVine, I don't see happening largely because Domas as the glue can make almost anything work IMO. In the end, you are either in contention or not and any steps towards getting there as long as they make some degree of sense isn't a total loss. If LaVine were Davion sized I think it would be harder. If he were a PG, eh, bad fit. He's not a perfect fit, but not a terrible one either. I see him has a vast upgrade in talent to Huerter, that's all.
Those that thought the Kings just needed time had their chance, and while as I've said, it's not the end of the road for any run it back agains, those results shouldn't just be ignored because then you are just working on faith. Which is a way to go, but considering the pieces going out in a trade like this I think letting loose of pieces that aren't doing much anyway wouldn't change much in a worst case. The upside has more potential I think. If the Kings slide, Huerter and Barnes likely weren't stopping it to begin with so what's the difference. The Kings will probably have Fox on a super max, Domas on a max, Keegan on a rookie max, Monk making 20+ a year, keeping Huerter, Lyles, Barnes, Davion types, draft picks, the youth, etc. The Kings are in cap hell anyway so... what's the difference? Also, it's not like LaVine has an eternity left on his deal. For a rebuilding team it is, but the Kings right now are looking at probably a 2-3 year window before the cap hits the fan so... what's the difference? haha.