06-20-2024, 09:39 AM
I keep finding people who think we will use THJ (plus draft capital) to improve rather than a salary dump. Windhorst said as much on the Pat MacAfee show yesterday. As I've said all along, paying assets to stand still isn't something a contender typically does.
I'm also finding more people who think DJJ is a candidate to get a Bruce Brown pay day. Below is Kevin Pelton's write up on DJJ. He mentions Detroit or OKC. Remember, the Bruce Brown contract wasn't about how Brown fit on the Pacers. It was about creating a contract that can be traded that leaves the current core in tact. Basically, a human TPE that helps teams meet the minimum salary requirement and is more flexible in a trade than an actual TPE.
As others have pointed out, there are other options. The most likely alternatives are
1. Dump THJ and use Green+ to upgrade (I suspect Green+ is more valuable than THJ+, but the salary match with Green brings back less).
2. Dump Green for an asset. Use THJ+, (plus the asset from the Green trade) to upgrade. As I've said, Green fits into the NT MLE which can be used for trades. That opens up many more possible teams than finding a cap room team to absorb enough of the THJ salary to matter in a DJJ signing.
My position would be that if THJ+ gets you a starter, I don't bother to move Green to keep DJJ as a backup. Green/OMax is just fine there. But, if Green outgoing is required to get the new starter you want, then you do that and figure out the bench situation later.
DDDerrick Jones Jr., F
Kevin Pelton's top-20 free agent ranking: Not ranked
The deal I'd offer: Two years, $44 million with a team option in the last year
Best free agent fits: Dallas, Detroit and Oklahoma City
Teams are fully aware that the $22 million per year contract is something Jones' current team, Dallas, cannot offer. Because Jones signed a one-year contract and the Mavericks are straddled on the tax line, the maximum starting salary is $5.2 million.
A $22 million salary is an overpay, especially for a player who has never averaged more than 9 points in a season. But remember, teams are mandated to spend at least 90% of the $141 million salary cap by the first day of the regular season.
We saw last offseason Indiana sign Bruce Brown Jr. to a two-year, $45 million contract but with a team option in the last season. He was eventually sent to Toronto as part of the Pascal Siakam trade.
A $44-million contract is a win-win for Jones and his new team.
The first-year salary nearly equals Jones' career earnings, and his new team has a tradable contract but also a veteran player who can impact the game on defense.
For the first time in his career, Jones recorded at least 50 blocks and steals. He ranked in the top 10 in total defensive half-court matchups vs. 2024 All-Stars and effective field goal percentage allowed vs. 2024 All-Stars among them to defend 150-plus shots, according to Second Spectrum.
I'm also finding more people who think DJJ is a candidate to get a Bruce Brown pay day. Below is Kevin Pelton's write up on DJJ. He mentions Detroit or OKC. Remember, the Bruce Brown contract wasn't about how Brown fit on the Pacers. It was about creating a contract that can be traded that leaves the current core in tact. Basically, a human TPE that helps teams meet the minimum salary requirement and is more flexible in a trade than an actual TPE.
As others have pointed out, there are other options. The most likely alternatives are
1. Dump THJ and use Green+ to upgrade (I suspect Green+ is more valuable than THJ+, but the salary match with Green brings back less).
2. Dump Green for an asset. Use THJ+, (plus the asset from the Green trade) to upgrade. As I've said, Green fits into the NT MLE which can be used for trades. That opens up many more possible teams than finding a cap room team to absorb enough of the THJ salary to matter in a DJJ signing.
My position would be that if THJ+ gets you a starter, I don't bother to move Green to keep DJJ as a backup. Green/OMax is just fine there. But, if Green outgoing is required to get the new starter you want, then you do that and figure out the bench situation later.
DDDerrick Jones Jr., F
Kevin Pelton's top-20 free agent ranking: Not ranked
The deal I'd offer: Two years, $44 million with a team option in the last year
Best free agent fits: Dallas, Detroit and Oklahoma City
Teams are fully aware that the $22 million per year contract is something Jones' current team, Dallas, cannot offer. Because Jones signed a one-year contract and the Mavericks are straddled on the tax line, the maximum starting salary is $5.2 million.
A $22 million salary is an overpay, especially for a player who has never averaged more than 9 points in a season. But remember, teams are mandated to spend at least 90% of the $141 million salary cap by the first day of the regular season.
We saw last offseason Indiana sign Bruce Brown Jr. to a two-year, $45 million contract but with a team option in the last season. He was eventually sent to Toronto as part of the Pascal Siakam trade.
A $44-million contract is a win-win for Jones and his new team.
The first-year salary nearly equals Jones' career earnings, and his new team has a tradable contract but also a veteran player who can impact the game on defense.
For the first time in his career, Jones recorded at least 50 blocks and steals. He ranked in the top 10 in total defensive half-court matchups vs. 2024 All-Stars and effective field goal percentage allowed vs. 2024 All-Stars among them to defend 150-plus shots, according to Second Spectrum.
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