06-23-2021, 04:01 PM
(06-23-2021, 02:22 PM)F Gump Wrote: I agree with McMahon, that the Mavs probably have 3 more seasons to move to an elite talent level, if they want to keep Luka happy and avoid him starting to make waves and force his way out.
He'll sign a 4+1 extension assuring him over $200M. That means they will have him under contract for final year of current contract, plus 4 more, total of 5 locked in.
If you get to the backside of that time frame, and the Mavs are a low seed team with little to no playoff success, it will mean Luka has already finished 6 Mav years with nothing to show for it, he'll be getting frustrated, and you are counting down on whether he will sign the next deal with you or not. If he (or his agent) makes waves, teams will line up and it can turn ugly really quickly. So they need some significant progress before the next 3 years end.
Dameris thinks that, from a business point of view, it is most likely that Luka will sign a 3+1 extension. The reasons have to do with when he becomes eligible for a super-max contract (the one after the rookie max) and when the TV deal changes. I'll spare everyone the numbers underlying the conclusion, although they are interesting if that sort of thing appeals to you.
That gives the Mavs four seasons, beginning with the next one. However, the last season of Luka's rookie max contract will be a free agency year, and if things aren't going well, you have to be able to trade him that year for a basket of goods or risk losing him for nothing. So, actually, they need to have a contending team solidified by the 2024 playoffs.
As you point out, the clock is ticking.
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