06-14-2024, 04:09 PM
(06-14-2024, 11:32 AM)mvossman Wrote: By cost I am mostly referring to asset cost. You are sending out our last two firsts for a 6th man who likely will not be excited to play that role. But honestly, I don't know why you are comparing him to Timmy (plus an MLE contract). Everyone hates Timmy's contract and he is 10 mil more.
He´s as much a 6th man as Terry was on the Mavs or Ginobili on the Spurs. He´s a starter coming off the bench, who´ll eventually become a starter. He´s also just turned 25 last week. So yes it´s two first round picks, but it´s for a player you can retain for 7-8 years with re-trade value . When you talk about guys like Middleton or Harris, you add a player that has zero re-sign or trade value. We have done exceptionally well to find young pieces like Lively, Gafford or Washington, whose timelines sync with Luka, and that´s the reason we can afford to give up the picks. Our next target must also be in line with Luka, so he can replace Kyrie in two years. Long may the healthy and sane Kyrie last, but in two years, he´ll be 34. Even worse he might opt out and who knows what happens, if the Mavs hesitate on at a three year extension for 34 year old Kyrie.
It doesn´t have to be Simons, but it has to be somebody that can smooth the transition to the next iteration of the Mavs, so preferably 26 or younger. If they don´t find a second long-term scorer/play-maker, they are one Doncic injury away from converting high lottery picks in 2027 etc.