MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

Just playing with numbers, if Gafford goes to Atlanta for #22 (no returning salary) or Brooklyn for #19 (again, no returning salary and assumes Claxton to LAL), then you can keep Kyrie at his current number and still be well under the second apron.  Far enough, in fact, that you have the ability to use the TP MLE for the last spot on the roster.  

The reason I posted what Gafford cost us in trade is it fits fairly well with getting 19 or 22 in this year's draft (we get back what we paid).  The salary difference then takes you from a minimum to a level up in the free agency market (while also adding to the youth movement).  So, kind of a 2 for 1 for outgoing Gafford.

The Paul rumor has grown on me, as has the Gafford to ATL idea. I've said before that I want to keep things simple this offseason and try to have some sense of continuity.

Step 1: Draft Cooper Flagg
Step 2: Trade Gafford for Pick #22 (Walter Clayton Jr.)
Step 3: Trade Hardy for a future SRP
Step 4: Sign Chris Paul
Step 5: Sign Kai Jones to standard contract
Step 6: Ink Kyrie to a new 3-year deal
Step 7: Sign PJW to a 4-year extension

Irving | Paul | Williams
Klay | Christie | Clayton Jr.
Flagg | Naji | Martin
PJW | Omax
AD | Lively | Jones | Powell

I've been saying it for a month now. This opens up the TMLE for someone like Paul. Gump and I went back n forth on this for a while. I think #22 is fair value for Gafford, but I can see how some might not.

The fact that it gets you under A2, keeps Kyrie happy and whole, possibly wins you the CP40 sweepstakes, gets you a young PG (insert your favorite name) that you like, and moves AD to more lone-Big, all has to be taken into consideration with a move like this.