Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

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.

Kyrie is Nico’s guy. He values him heavily. Despite his injury, the team has raved about how integral he has been to the locker room and chemistry of the team. Quelling the outside noise and keeping the team together. And of course, he’s still/was an elite guard. The injury doesn’t really change that. 

Those things are very valued by the Mavs/Nico. I think Kyrie maintains his current deal or even get a slight bump. If you look at this team from the view that it’s basically complete and they just added an elite 2-way wing for free, it makes sense to be ok going into the 2nd apron for a year or trade others vs. pay cutting Kyrie. 

I’d be shocked if he took a pay cut voluntarily and it’d be wishful thinking to think he’d do a 1+1 deal coming off an ACL tear at 33.