06-20-2021, 11:12 AM
I don't think there is anything behind Kemba trade and Mavs involvement for several reasons.
1. Most importantly, making moves before new GM is signed is not a gift of giving him a clean slate to work with imho. It is a bad sign he will be a puppet while others will decide direction. New GM can always do the cleaning up by himself if he thinks this is the best way. But it is not the only possible way and GM should decide which one is. If you want him to be strong and independent. Absolutely nothing should be done before GM is selected, imho.
2. If we forget number 1 and think Mavs still want to do it, it would be a much easier thing to simply do a three team trade. Why separating this into several trades limiting options what you are allowed to do or not (like aggregating contracts).
3. Thompson is reportedly a locker room cancer. Do you want to give this gift to the new GM? Even if Mavs have locker room issues new GM would be dealing with known facts and could act accordingly. This way he might just get a time bomb.
As for the rest I think Boston is still looking to reduce the payroll. They dumped their best center last season to get below tax line. If they want to resign Fournier and stay below tax they still need to reduce salaries. I just don't see them adding players through TPE. I would expect sooner from them tey are willing to pay someone to take Tristan in cap space or for minimum salary back.
Smart is an interesting option. I have a hunch there is a leadership clash in their lockerroom between Brown and Smart dating since last year bubble. However, Stevens reportedly loves Smart. Brunson for Smart remains an interesting option. Brunson for Boston youngsters like Williams brothers could also made some sense, although I doubt it.
1. Most importantly, making moves before new GM is signed is not a gift of giving him a clean slate to work with imho. It is a bad sign he will be a puppet while others will decide direction. New GM can always do the cleaning up by himself if he thinks this is the best way. But it is not the only possible way and GM should decide which one is. If you want him to be strong and independent. Absolutely nothing should be done before GM is selected, imho.
2. If we forget number 1 and think Mavs still want to do it, it would be a much easier thing to simply do a three team trade. Why separating this into several trades limiting options what you are allowed to do or not (like aggregating contracts).
3. Thompson is reportedly a locker room cancer. Do you want to give this gift to the new GM? Even if Mavs have locker room issues new GM would be dealing with known facts and could act accordingly. This way he might just get a time bomb.
As for the rest I think Boston is still looking to reduce the payroll. They dumped their best center last season to get below tax line. If they want to resign Fournier and stay below tax they still need to reduce salaries. I just don't see them adding players through TPE. I would expect sooner from them tey are willing to pay someone to take Tristan in cap space or for minimum salary back.
Smart is an interesting option. I have a hunch there is a leadership clash in their lockerroom between Brown and Smart dating since last year bubble. However, Stevens reportedly loves Smart. Brunson for Smart remains an interesting option. Brunson for Boston youngsters like Williams brothers could also made some sense, although I doubt it.