06-04-2024, 11:12 AM
One thing that doesn't get enough attention in these discussions is the issue of minutes. That's especially true when we think of THJ being used to bring back a useful player - ideally, one who can provide offense off the bench (one example would be Bogdanovic in ATL).
If they do that, who sits so that BB plays? Because trading THJ doesn't open up any minutes, since he isn't getting any.
When all are healthy, this is where they are in minutes next season
C - Gafford-Lively take all 48, and DP is the veteran backup
PF - PJW-Maxi take all 48, and can Omax force his way onto the floor? Morris is your DC (Designated Cheerleader) ... even if you limit Maxi to 20-22, PJW is only playing 26-28.
SF - DJJ-Green
SG - Kyrie-Hardy
PG - Luka-Exum
It looks to me like their ideal move is to pay the price to trade THJ into space. That then leaves 2 open roster slots (Lawson may get one of them). And it lowers their payroll significantly.
Then look at this. There would be 2 viable choices:
1 They prioritize to STAY UNDER THE TAX LINE. Leaving a cushion, they can pay DJJ up to about 9.5M, keep Lawson and Morris, and have room for a veteran ring-chasing shooter at the minimum. Being under the tax line wouldn't matter when it comes to the tax itself, but rather to the potential of a huge repeater tax bill in the upcoming years when Luke is on a supermax and some of these players are getting bumps in salary. Or ...
2 They prioritize to STAY UNDER THE APRON. In this scenario, they have room for almost an entire MLE and BAE (4.7M). Here they pay DJJ more, and use a BAE to get that shooter (or some player that has potential to help a lot).
If they do that, who sits so that BB plays? Because trading THJ doesn't open up any minutes, since he isn't getting any.
When all are healthy, this is where they are in minutes next season
C - Gafford-Lively take all 48, and DP is the veteran backup
PF - PJW-Maxi take all 48, and can Omax force his way onto the floor? Morris is your DC (Designated Cheerleader) ... even if you limit Maxi to 20-22, PJW is only playing 26-28.
SF - DJJ-Green
SG - Kyrie-Hardy
PG - Luka-Exum
It looks to me like their ideal move is to pay the price to trade THJ into space. That then leaves 2 open roster slots (Lawson may get one of them). And it lowers their payroll significantly.
Then look at this. There would be 2 viable choices:
1 They prioritize to STAY UNDER THE TAX LINE. Leaving a cushion, they can pay DJJ up to about 9.5M, keep Lawson and Morris, and have room for a veteran ring-chasing shooter at the minimum. Being under the tax line wouldn't matter when it comes to the tax itself, but rather to the potential of a huge repeater tax bill in the upcoming years when Luke is on a supermax and some of these players are getting bumps in salary. Or ...
2 They prioritize to STAY UNDER THE APRON. In this scenario, they have room for almost an entire MLE and BAE (4.7M). Here they pay DJJ more, and use a BAE to get that shooter (or some player that has potential to help a lot).
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