Trade & FA 2023-24: Sexton On the Market? | ORL Likes Hartenstein?

[F Gump]

Just really don't like his contract. One of our main concerns in recent discussions is the 2nd apron. An issue that isn't going away in the future. I would prefer a trade that saves more salary. Would prefer to have a little more flexability next summer. Resign Hardy/Exum? Maybe get in position to use the full MLE. In my opinion all of that is more important than whatever DFS can give the Mavs at this point of his career.

"One of our main concerns in recent discussions is the 2nd apron "

Fair point. It may or may not be an issue in 2025. (If that's a concern, it's a real incentive to somehow trade THJ, or even keep him, or perhaps buy him out and hope he signs a nice deal elsewhere that sets off the cap hit, rather than consider a SW where he's dinging the cap for about $5.5M in 2025).

I don't see issues with Exum or DJJ. Exum at maybe $3-5M, DJJ at maybe $8-10M. No MLE being spent (other than DJJ).

I see Hardy as a wild card. His play is so erratic and sometimes just bad. But at times he looks like he might have something. An extension offer in July would be limited to starting at about $2.8M. I might offer that and see what happens. At his current level of play, not sure he's getting more than minimum on his next deal.

At those numbers, you're likely under the 2nd apron in 2025 if you include DFS. The big issues come in 2026.