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

[mvossman]

Which would mean that dumping JRich for air was a mistake

I think the opposite.  I think it was an excellent move.  All signs point to JRich opting in specifically for the trade to Boston.  Why else would he have waited so long on his decision.  And they were obviously negotiating with Boston long before he made the decision.  It seems highly likely all parties were involved.  By making that trade, they were still in a position to operate over or under the cap.  If JRich walks, they get nothing if operating over the cap (and my guess is they were already leaning that way based on not being able to land their top guys except for THJ).