Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Mavs2021]

I have never been a DeRoazn guy like some of you are, but I recognize his place in NBA history and I’m starting to feel pretty bad for him. Chicago’s goal is to be out of the tax this year (which is the right goal), and they’re like $13 million away from the tax line.

Basically, they can’t sign and trade him somewhere (which I’m sure they’d love to do for him) because they can’t move freaking Zach LaVine. DeRozan is really in a bad spot right now. He REALLY might end up having to take the MLE.

I think the reality is that this will happen more and more often. Veterans will have a pretty big drop off at the end of their career. You make your money from the end of your rookie contract till age 33-34. Then you´ll have to accept that you´ll earn from minimum to MLE, maybe slightly more like Klay Thompson. Teams will have to cut the costs under the 1st and 2nd apron somewhere.

Look at us. We are in a great position right now, because we got so many great contracts. Unfortunately they are all up sooner than later. I´m also very curious about Kyrie´s happy place, IF/WHEN he opts out in 12 months and the Mavs are faced with the same dilemma as the Clippers were this year with PG 13. Kyrie will be 33 years old. Do you want to give him a 130/3 extension on top of Luka´s super max extension. And let´s not forget the extensions for Hardy, Grimes, Washington, Gafford and we all know the Lively 100M+ extension is also looming. These new rules will be brutal.