Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Smitty]

I'm just kind of accepting that this is what they're trying to do this offseason and it will be construction similar to this with the LAL 29 and DAL 2031 pick attached (and probably a 2032 swap).  I also expect them to try to offload Hardy in this whole process by tying the Philly 2030 SRP to him which may not be enough but would help tremendously from a cap standpoint.

Do you expect Exum to not make more than his cap hold?  Won't we just enter the second apron as soon as he inks a new deal if you assume it's like 2 years for 16 mil or something like that?

Couldn't agree more with the bold! It's exactly the opposite of what I would do, except the Hardy part, but I 100% think that it's Nico's plan.

As for Exum, it's hard to gauge what his value is. A of now, 4M seems fair for the oft injured, soon to be 30-year-old guard. He has a real chance to earn more in the second half of the season. Even in the scenario I laid out, the Mavs can get to about $7.5M for Exum by going with a 14-man roster. That's assuming Kyrie doesn't help them any with his year 1 number.

They can also get more flexibility with your Hardy trade.

In the end, if this is the way they go, I do expect Kyrie to work with Nico on a deal that makes it all doable.