Connecting some Boston Dots (Flexibility)

[DanSchwartzgan]

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.

It is quite likely your first sentence is accurate.  That is why the title of the OP is Connecting Dots instead of I Figured This Out For Sure.  With that in mind, I’ll push back gently on some of this.  

1.  Are we sure the new GM will be here long enough to do much more than Cuban’s pre-arranged deals?  Free Agency is six weeks away...yikes.  Kicking the flexibility can down the road (while attempting to look like we are being aggressive) may be the best play if Forde is going to conduct a thorough process.  If the process isn’t thorough, the hire is a puppet anyway and the new GM may be simply executing Cuban’s pre-arranged plan.

2.  True, unless JRich is included...and he might be if Smart is part of the deal.

3.  I’m aware of the issues in Boston.  It is why the relationship with Mosley was brought up in the OP.  I heard, but haven’t seen for myself that Thompson posted or liked something on Twitter that was pro-Mosley getting the job.  I’m fairly certain he is getting traded.  Similar to your point #2, why not include him in the Kemba deal, unless there is already a plan. 

Another possibility is none of this involves KP (and therefore doesn’t involve Horford/Kemba either).  There could still be some interesting synergies with Boston.  I find the way the rest of the Hayward TPE fits an early opt-in on JRich or Powell so closely to be interesting.  I’ll be curious to see what date Boston’s Hayward TPE expires and whether the quick Kemba deal was an attempt to be able to aggregate Horford before the TPE evaporates. Maybe the Mosley/Thompson relationship means nothing.  Or, maybe that relationship is the key to getting Smart since our new (maybe) Head Coach can vouch for him