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

[SleepingHero]

1 Is LM the unsuccessful snt that Fischer has been teasing to tell about? Or was it someone like Portis, or Batum?

2 A deal with the 3rd year unguaranteed is indeed legal, but is not a benefit for LM. If he signs a 3 year deal, he is committing for 3 years.

3 A trade for him would be tricky because he's base year for salary match. It feels like the core of a trade for him would be Maxi or Powell for LM, and then some salary CHI doesn't want (fitting into the TPE) for some other Mav player. But the biggest issue would be getting to the value that would attract CHI to do the deal, and that would also appeal to the Mavs.

1) I hope so. In reality I think those other two names are more likely given their fit and teams cap issues. 

2) Fair. Though a hypothetical: If we do pivot to an under the cap scenario like Dan pointed out and Lauri is willing to accept 9.5M a year, then wouldn't a 2+1 deal be legal since we're signing him with capspace? This is under the guise that the Bulls won't match anything. Given his RFA I think a trade is all but certain.

3). I can see the Bulls wanting Maxi. I for one am cooling on my Maxi love. He's a great defender but it's been 2 years now of underwhelming playoff performances. He simply cannot get it done on one side of the court when he's out there and he doesn't have the skillset where its justifies that kind of offensive performance. I'd be more than willing to start over with 23 year old Lauri and send Maxi along with say Burke. Maxi+Burke+space theoretically gets Lauri to a starting salary of 17M. I don't think in any scenario do the Mavs hand Lauri a 3/51 deal especially if they're losing Maxi. But a perhaps a 3/40 deal with a player option the last year is just as enticing for both parties?