TRADE: Davis, Hardy, DLO, Exum to WAS | Middleton, filler, 2 FRPs, 3 SRPs to DAL

[Mavs2021]

RoyTarpleysGhost
I dont think the Mavs are in the business of taking on bad contracts after finally getting some relief.

...but they got so much relief that they can actually take on the Poeltl contract, especially if they move on from Gafford. You basically replace Gafford´s salary with Poeltl´s salary and gain 2-3 first round picks in the process. That´s exactly how they should think.

100% it should not a coincidence that the trade exception is large enough to fit Poeltl. They surely talked to the Raptors about AD. In the process they could gauge how desperate they are to move off Poeltl.

Poeltl for the Raptors 2026 1st, swap rights with the Lakers pick in 2029 and Martin for Agbaji.

Then trade Gafford to Atlanta for the Cavs pick + Kennard.

Now look at this:

Mavs 2026 1st
Raptors 2026 1st
Cavs 2026 1st
Thunder 2026 1st

Roster

Irving 39.5
Washington 19.8
Poeltl 19.5
Thompson 17.4
Flagg 14.5
Marshall 9.4
Christie 8.2
Lively 7.2
Johnson 3.2
Nembhard 2.5
Cisse 2.5
four first round picks ~20.0
163.7

Line-Up:

Irving/1st round picks
Christie/1st round picks
Marshall/Thompson
Flagg/Washington
Lively/Poeltl

They would not even have touched their best projected starting five for 2027 AND add four young players that suit our new Flagg timeline running style, except Poeltl for special big dudes assignments.

In 2028 they might actually be able to get under the cap far enough to call somebody in LA. 
 
If they pull off these suggested subsequent trades, I might have to give them an A for the AD trade.