05-13-2025, 12:00 AM
1 I do think payroll and roster space WILL be a significant factor in Mavs decisions this summer.
2 I don't think Mavs would really consider Ja. Too much baggage of various kinds.
3 "This deal does work legally before Kyrie extends, but after it does not. So timing matters here." --- I don't expect any of this to be a thing, fwiw. Ky's market took a huge hit when he got injured, and there are other logical scenarios (and imo more likely ones) than him getting a new long-term deal WITH a big raise this summer. I know talking heads have pushed this idea, but I think they're playing to clicks.
To me, the more likely outcomes for Ky are either (a) he simply opts in, or (b) he extends with 2 added years at the same base rate he's at (plus raises), or © in light of a very limited year ahead, in which he will nohow be worth his salary, and with the Mavs also in a big salary crunch, he opts out and agrees to a 1+1 (PO) that brings a modest salary REDUCTION this season (which helps Mavs navigate added talent to carry the load until he returns, ie, carving out room for a TxpMLE). The PO gives him some "insurance" in case he's not the same player as before.
2 I don't think Mavs would really consider Ja. Too much baggage of various kinds.
3 "This deal does work legally before Kyrie extends, but after it does not. So timing matters here." --- I don't expect any of this to be a thing, fwiw. Ky's market took a huge hit when he got injured, and there are other logical scenarios (and imo more likely ones) than him getting a new long-term deal WITH a big raise this summer. I know talking heads have pushed this idea, but I think they're playing to clicks.
To me, the more likely outcomes for Ky are either (a) he simply opts in, or (b) he extends with 2 added years at the same base rate he's at (plus raises), or © in light of a very limited year ahead, in which he will nohow be worth his salary, and with the Mavs also in a big salary crunch, he opts out and agrees to a 1+1 (PO) that brings a modest salary REDUCTION this season (which helps Mavs navigate added talent to carry the load until he returns, ie, carving out room for a TxpMLE). The PO gives him some "insurance" in case he's not the same player as before.
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