MAVS NEWS:

[DanSchwartzgan]

So would you do it?  I know this is late in the summer, but Mavs should know this answer well in advance.  Might be the best bet.  PJ should remain a tradeable piece even with a bigger contract.  It will be a delicate conversation though and the Mavs aren't good at these.

https://x.com/YossiGozlan/status/1924343140456235369

This Yossi guy is also the one who floated a Gafford/Martin/Stuff plus Laker 2029 and Mav 2031 for White.  He has a deal on You Tube where he goes through the trade and all of the Mav's cap issues/strategies.  It is worth a listen.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq850rzL6HU

I personally wouldn't give up two firsts for White, but he makes some other interesting points in the video:

1.  He's of the same school as FG and I in terms of Kyrie opting out and signing a new deal in the $120-$125mm range.  Starting would be in the $37-$38mm range (and you'd remove the ULTBE incentives).  Kyrie's apron number is almost $45mm, so starting around $38mm is significant.

2.  He also suggested Powell opt out and sign for the minimum and put a little guaranteed money in a partially guaranteed second year to make up the difference.

3.  Any deal that sends out Martin saves his salary plus another $1.28mm in bonuses against the apron.  He seems like excess to me here, but might have some value around the league.

4.  He also talked about Dallas just giving away a player to save money under the apron.  He suggested Klay, which I can't see.  But, I could see Hardy.  I could also see Martin/Hardy going for someone making well under their combined salaries.

The idea here is to get further away from Apron 2 (possibly under Apron 1 if you give someone away for air).  You open up some more possibilities.  But, the first domino to fall is Kyrie.