2021-2022 MAVS NEWS: 4th in West | WCF loss [ARCHIVED]

[mvossman]

This guy is saying a lot of what I've been saying.  

They probably won't pay tax on both JB and DFS.  Possible, but not likely.  If you try to keep both, you've got to move off of some other money.

THJ doesn't bring back value in a trade.  They probably would love to get off his money if they can (he also mentions getting off Powell as a means of saving money...booooo).

You don't trade KP when he's going like this (plus, if you trade him you won't get full value which is a step backwards).

DFS is likely retained for about the MLE or slightly more.  You keep him because his multi-positional chops are hard to find.

PG is more easily replaced than wing.  JB might be a negative value contract at 4/$80.  More likely his value is similar to Graham at $12mm.  You keep him for that, but you have to at least look at getting your pick back from NY plus something given Brunson's UFA status and the reports NY wants him.  Unfortunately, the names he names from NY are not the names we like around here.  He mentions Kemba and Miles McBride (I like McBride's upside actually).  

To me, Brunson is the only player who can generate a premium return.  Part of that return (and it has to be more than this) unlocks a trove of assets we don't have access to now.  Trading Brunson is a means to a larger end.  If you can use those assets to get a final piece type guy (and some return from NY), I think it has to be considered.

I agree with most of this, but I think you are underselling both Graham and Brunson a bit.  Graham got 12 as a RFA.  He probably would have gotten closer to 15 as a UFA.  Also they are very different players.  Graham is a true point guard and a fairly good high volume 3 point shooter, but useless inside the three point line.  Brunson is a creator and elite in the midrange.

PG can easily be replaced, but guys who can create at a high level are not.  I think the jury is still out on Brunson against the highest competition (playoffs).  Can he still create against a long, athletic fully engaged defenses?  Will he be hunted relentlessly on defense?

Unfortunately we wont get to see Brunson in a playoff situation before we have to make a decision, as we have to make that decision at the TDL.  If Brunson is on this roster after the TDL, the we have to sign him or we have made a colossal mistake.