Should we give Donnie credit?

[Mavsfan12]

Just trying to stop the derailment of mavsluvr's thread here, but there were a couple more posts that I felt needed a counter-point.

Dundalis wrote:

It doesn't matter that every FA was signed to a long term contract if you've done the math, which the Mavs FO certainly did. They were carefully constructed to ensure that despite the contracts they handed out, they still have likely a max slot in 2021. At this point they will have around 85 million projected salary for the start of the 21-22 season. The projected salary cap for next season is 117 million. If you project an increase from that for 21-22, they easily have a max slot.

Your whole premise on this is about filling out the roster. That ignores the planning that goes into identifying who the right players are (or type of player) to basically lock the team in for the forseeable future by giving up that future cap space and to give them flexibility to have time to target the player they want over the next few years. If they thought the players available weren't worth locking in, based on doing so effectively taking them out of the race to be players in a particularly future FA class if they have planned to do just that, then they don't make any further moves. It's as simple as that if you have that plan in place as a GM. Donnie clearly said at the end of last season, that this a league where it's all about star power. If they have the opportunity to acquire a third star, even if it means they have to be patient and wait a season or two, they would rather do that than fill out the roster with solid players, locking their roster in. You can find ways to acquire depth afterwards.

The Mavs are also 4th in the Western Conference with the best offense in league history without adding these starters you've mentioned. No process has been stymied whatsoever.

Moved my reply to Dundalis to this thread:

I think you are on track here.  Its about 86M after picking up the Luka/Brunson options, and that does not include JJax's QO/caphold either.  But yes, it would not be difficult at all to get to max space - even assuming next year's cap.  Even if it was just short, the Mavs would have a few final year contracts that could be sent off very easily.  The team would look very much like it does today, but with room for a Max if we don't take on '21 contracts in the next 1.5 seasons until that fateful FA opens!  

86M in contracts includes:
Luka/DWarp/Brunson
Curry
DFS/Roby
KP/Maxi
DP

Throw in another 2-3M in capholds for min contracts, and that is the number.  Adding a max contract to that roster looks pretty dang good.  I assure you that the Mavs are not going to mess up that opportunity with just any move.  That roster screams for an elite wing or big.  Giannis fits in there like he was meant for it.  Haha.