Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Mavs2021]

Yeah, I don't think people realize how close to tapped out the Mavs are. It's not just the first apron or current hard cap. There's not much room between the first and second apron, and that's where the real pain starts. It's cool that the new owners can afford a tax bill every once in a while, but the reality is that from this point forward, adding anything means subtracting something else. Even just adding an MLE-level guy next summer probably means Kleber or Gafford is gone, and that's before we think about a Kyrie extension or what's happening with Exum, Grimes, Hardy...Gafford or Kleber is probably gone just to keep 1-2 of those guys. 

I think there's a really good chance this is Gafford's last year in Dallas. If Lively is even half the player we believe, it's the sensible way to go.

I think there is a legit chance Kyrie opts out and signs something like 100/3. 

1.) He´s unlikely to get more in FA. 
2.) He opts in, he´s probably looking at Klay/DeRozan type money in 2026, which then equals out to less than 100 over three years anyway.

Therefore I think the Mavs look at Kyrie as one salary cap massaging vehicle.