Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Scott41theMavs]

Thanks for the reasonable reply. Moving on ...

I agree that GA-to-DAL won't happen. It's not really a fit financially, and that matters more than everyone realizes. I think it's the MAIN obstacle. Luka's supermax is looming. The Mavs COULD put enough assets on the table if they had to imo, I just don't expect they would do so. 

If he is traded, I think it would look a lot like when AD went to LA, and I think GA would drive the destination. I don't buy that he's traded for a pile of picks.

I'm skeptical he gets traded at all. I would think MIL has other avenues they would pursue 1st, making it moot. They don't need to panic over some bad games, as they have some huge chips in their favor, one being they did win a title, another being they have been a great support for GA as he has become an MVP-caliber player. GA is under contract for 3 years AFTER this one. Yes, they need major changes, but they do have the stars to build around, which puts them way ahead in getting good again. 

Their big issue is Middleton's lack of impact, when they need him to be stellar (and healthy, which is a major part of the equation). Losing the 2-way contributions of both Holiday and Middleton has crippled them. And their payroll is massive (over Apron 2, with all that entails) but the depth is very thin. It's like the Mavs trying to win at the end of 2023 with just Luka and Kyrie to make significant contributions. But DAL dug out of their hole without major assets to offer, and MIL could as well.

The easiest move for the Bucks to make that would raise their win total by around ten games this year in spite of their roster/lineup troubles would be immediately to go get a coach who isn't the punch line to sports jokes.