Trade & FA 2024-25:

[F Gump]

Lets just say that if there is a KD trade, I am predicting PJ is part of the outgoing.  If AD is at the 4 and KD is at the 3, are they planning on starting PJ at the 2?  I believe you need either PJ or Klay in that trade to make the money work, and I doubt Suns have any interest in Klay.  PJ makes way more sense for them.  

Mavs can always say no, but so can the Suns.  KD is old but he is still a superstar.  

Sure, PJ could be part of the outgoing. But he doesn't have to be. Open your mind!

To me, to do the trade, I simply don't put any of PJ, Christie, or LIvely on the table - and I believe the Mavs have PLENTY of other good players at good salaries to be enough. If it isn't, I don't do the deal. I don't assume a trade gets done necessarily - the "Nico is stupid so of course he does it" is an argument I don't find persuasive.

As to the starter issue, obviously if you keep 5 starter types and add KD, someone will be asked to be the 6th man. But there will be plenty of minutes for everyone. If you keep Klay instead of PJ, it's the same issue. There's no reason it can't be PJ as 6th man, and I would choose to keep him instead of Klay since he's younger.  I don't allow PJ, Christie, or Lively to be on the table, and PHX still gets a slew of starter-caliber players (all 4 of Gafford, Martin, Marshall, Klay - unless they don't want him, like you theorize) and some useful depth (Powell, Hardy) and 2025 1st rounder will also be part of the immediate mix.

The idea that the Mavs would have 6 starter types is already an issue, as they have at least 6 and maybe 8 (!) on the roster (Lively, Gallford, AD, PJ, Christie, Matrtin, Klay, Kyrie). And Kidd may see Exum as a starter too, which means there's 9!

If the Suns have no interest in Klay, he goes to a 3rd team. There HAS TO be a 3rd team taking one or more of those players with their salary, no matter what you do, and you should be able to get some draft capital back if that player is Klay.