2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

I am way ok with the Mavs betting on Brunson and DFS with long term deals. That's probably my favorite option. But, I don't think Cuban will pay a tax next season, so that would require others to be moved (thought not until next season's trade deadline, I guess). 

I am ok with the idea of moving one or both in a deal that has something helpful coming back, but I don't think Cuban will pay a tax next season, so I have a hard time seeing that happen. 

I am ok with the idea of letting one or both go to other teams and recouping some value through sign and trade, though I think this might be unlikely for the same cap reasons. Maybe something small, just to allow a room team to maximize their flexibility, but at that point how much of an improvement is it to just allowing them to walk? I guess we'll see. 

I am absolutely not ok with letting either DFS, Brunson or both (two of their top 4-5 players, anyway you slice it) walk away in free agency with nothing returning, and I kid you not, I feel like that's what we're headed towards. Cap room '23 is about to be the plan. It's plain as day. I hope I'm wrong.

We used to pay the tax during the Dirk years which does give me some hope that he will now that we have another franchise player again but I do agree with your concerns.  Really the main reason we didn't pay the tax was because we whiffed so hard with all our cap space that it made us so mediocre it never became worth it again but I like to think it is now with Luka.  Based on Cuban's twitter account though, his delusion is reaching Jerry Jones levels so who knows what he's thinking on that front but we're starting to get pounded by national media for our talent level and I hope he takes notice before Luka does.

Even if he does decide to pay the tax, I still see Brunson getting moved because I get the impression he wants to start and he's also the only valuable asset we have.  We can also pair him with either Maxi or Dwight or both as salary filler with up to 20 or so mil in expiring so in theory we could be offering Brunson, cap relief, future firsts, Josh Green and our 2022 pick in a kitchen sink offer.

On top of all this, Nico will want to put his handprint on this team at some point.

Things are certainly bleak currently and not very flexible for now but I think after this season we aren't as trapped into this roster construction as people are making out.