(07-31-2021, 08:40 AM)Mavs2021 Wrote: Agree. Though I am starting to think it´s not Lowry. That would just be the same mistake we made in the past. Getting into a pissing contest with multiple teams on the first day of free agency. Plus I feel the dynamics have changed with the new TPE. It would be wasted with an outright signing of Lowry. If Ujiri didn´t like the talent on offer at the TDL, I doubt he´ll get excited by a large TPE, a couple of 2nd rounders or what we consider young talent.
I´d look at free agents in the $15-20M range that we can match with Kleber + X (Brunson, Burke, WCS, Terry).
Realistically to maximize the assets:
1. Kleber trade
2. Re-Sign THJ
3. Use TPE
4. Use MLE
Pipedream is they just come out on Monday and announce they have agreed to a Kleber for Markkanen S&T and a THJ extension. Then we can just sit back and watch the market dry up for our MLE and TPE. Just like we usually do (#nostalgia), only this time we already secured two starters.
I doubt we made that trade for the TPE. Much more likely it was for the cap. The options are:
Re-sign THJ + WCS + TPE (somebody's salary dump for 11 mil) + MLE
or
35 mil in cap for 2 players + Room
The second option has more options and value. The first option would be a last resort if we can't get anything with cap space.
Not sure why this team would want to trade Maxi for Lauri? Defense is our biggest issue. KP/Lauri would be the worst defensive frontcourt in the NBA.
Edit: Looks like Branduil beat me to this last comment.