2021 FREE AGENCY: Markkanen wants out of CHI | DAL "definitely interested"

[Chicagojk]

From the chart Clutch posted, We have $5.38mm in space if we simply move Sterling into the R-MLE.  That amount of space is enough to make Powell plus Burke a legal trade (note that the $5mm trade spread doesn't get you there).  This is a significant wrinkle in the Dragic conversation.

Moses is non-guaranteed (owed $500k if cut), so add $1.2mm to get to $6.58mm.  You can pair that space with anyone in a trade.  It also happens to be more than the TP-MLE

WCS is easily movable for air and that gets you to $9.5mm... similar to the MLE.  I'm going to leave Burke out of this to make a point, as I'm not sure he has positive value.  Cutting Brown doesn't help because you've gone under 12 spots with WCS traded, Moses cut and Sterling waiting to sign the R-MLE.

$9.5mm is almost the same as the MLE (I'm going to guess that is why Sterling's contract is $1.8mm under the R-MLE).  But, MLE deals and a S&T into the TPE has restrictions as to length of contract.  If you are trying to get someone for what THEY consider an under market deal (I'm thinking LM, but maybe Oladipo), you can't have team control for 3 years.  Yes, only one year has to be guaranteed on the MLE and S&T's, but that is still a three year deal in terms of the team being in control.  So, Dallas has seemingly structured things to have multiple ways to get to one more guy.  I don't think this is about LM as he has QO from Chicago for $9mm.  I think this may be about Dipo.  You can sign him to a one year deal using space (or a two in order to get EB rights, but those don't do much good if he pans out).    You play Green developmental minutes until Dipo is ready and then he slots as the bench scorer in a lineup with Powell/Maxi/Dipo/Sterling/Brunson.  Or, if he's really good, he can move either Bullock or THJ to the bench and Dipo can start.

KP/Powell/Boban/Moses
DFS/Maxi
THJ/Dipo/Green
Bullock/Sterling/Burke
Luka/Brunson/Terry

Looking at the lineup above, I wonder if Paul Millsap would be a intriguing stop gap solution.   Millsap has been a favorite of mine for the past few offseasons as someone who interests me.   Maybe he is a little too old now and would need to think more if I would prefer the younger WCS to him.

My hope is we would find someway to get Lauri and Dragic.    Getting one may be a long shot, much less two.   

As others have mentioned, I am really confused that we went into this offseason with very little ball creators and limited PF types and someway may be starting the next year even thinner at both spots.  That is hard to accomplish.   I can't believe that was the goal.