Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

This is as good as any theory, I suppose. I could see it. Can they get the salary down enough to keep DJJ though?

It depends on the number Klay signs for. I've been floating around a 4 year 92 mil deal. Why that number?

Well it satisfies the rumored length Klay is looking for at 3+ years. Its close to 100mil overall in terms of salary, which is similar to what Green signed last year. 

And most importantly, the number starts right around 21.4 mil. If the Mavs sent out Green+Maxi, then the roster is as follows:

Player                  Salary           Notes
1 Doncic               43,031,940
2 Irving                41,000,000     ULTBE $1,000,000
3 Klay Thompson   21,473,989
4 PJ Washington    15,500,000     ULTBE $500,000
5 Gafford              13,394,160
6 Grimes               4,296,682
7 Vet min guy        2,093,637
8 Lively                 5,014,560
9 Powell                4,000,000
10 Exum               3,150,000     Team Option 6/28
11 Omax               2,870,400
12 Vet min guy      2,093,637          
13 Hardy               2,019,699     NG
14 Morris               2,093,637
15 DJJ                   12,859,000

Dead                     2,208,856    McGee

Total Salary         178,600,197

                                               Space Under/(Over)
First Apron          178,655,000      54,803
Second Apron      189,486,000    10,885,803

Klay at that 21 mil number allows us to retain DJJ at the full MLE, just barely. Perhaps there is a scenario where DJJ actually signs for 10mil instead of 12.8, which gives us even more cushion before the 1st apron. Lineup is:

Luka/Exum/vet min guy?
Kyrie/Grimes/Hardy
Klay/DJJ/vet min guy?
PJ/Omax/Morris
Lively/Gafford/Powell