Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

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.

It's interesting Pelton is saying the deal he'd offer is 2/44. The only teams that can offer that this summer:

• DET (64.4 mil space)
  
• PHI (55.5 mil space)
  
• ORL (49.7 mil space)
  
• UTA (38.1 mil space)
  
• OKC (35.2 mil space)
  

Now lets take Pelton's rumor at face value. Lets say he heard from a team considering this contract. Who could it be? 

OKC could make sense. They have the space and DJJ would be a good guy off the bench backing up Dort. But I wouldn't say a lanky defender who isn't a great shooter is a primary need of theirs. They'd be left with around 13mil left of space. Based on how the center market is looking, that is likely pricing them out of many impact centers to pair up with Chet. But the fact DJJ could be used as a potential trade chip is the most attractive offer for OKC. They can use him much like IND used Brown. I can see the value for OKC there. I don't think they'd pivot from "get a real center next to Chet" mindset this summer though, and they've been connected to Hartenstein, Claxton, and even Valanciunas. The first 2 will cost more than 20 mil. The last one might be had for 13. 


UTA doesn't really make any sense at all. They are balancing a Lauri extension on their hands which will eat around 15 mil of their current cap space. If they offered 22 mil for DJJ, that's basically their entire summer until the TDL. They aren't 1 guy away from competing in the west. So I'm going to nix them.

ORL seems to have their sights set on shooting. How many long lanky defenders do they need? I've seen them rumored with Lavine, to Klay, to even Buddy Hield. I don't think they make sense as a dance partner for DJJ.

PHI is interesting. They have more than enough cap space to offer DJJ his 22 mil and then still go out and get an impact player. The latest rumor is that they're going to throw a big contract at KCP and lure him away from Denver. I don't think they're going to get a guy like Paul George, but if they're trying to trade for Jimmy Butler, DJJ and KCP are off the table. Because of that I think they're going to be too focused on the bigger fish before looking at DJJ. 

Lastly DET. Another interesting candidate. I think they are a sneaky dark horse in this mostly because I don't think any impact free agent is seriously considering Detroit. They have all that money but no one to spend it on. They are also desperate for good players. DJJ makes a lot of sense there even if he probably won't live up to anything near his 2/44 deal. Detroit still has 40 mil to throw at Tobias Harris, Miles Bridges,  or whatever 2nd tier free agent that wants a big payday. 



So out of this list, it seems like OKC or DET are the ones that are putting out those rumors of a Bruce Brown type deal. I don't find it likely, but they are definitely threats. Especially OKC if they're trying to take a page out of IND's book. I still think the Mavs are in the drivers seat if they carve out MLE level space for him because DJJ has said he wants to come back.

I do want to mention a thought that has been creeping up these last couple of days has been, if the Mavs want to upgrade DJJ's spot, does DJJ even want to come back and play off the bench? And do the Mavs want to push all their chips in to getting the biggest contract possible for DJJ?

I'm not sure. I think if the Mavs could choose, they'd find a player like Avdija/Grant/ whatever to start, AND bring back DJJ just because his fit was so good.

Interesting to see how this shakes out. If DJJ leaves and the Mavs can't find any suitable replacement I'm going to be quite angry.