01-06-2022, 10:52 PM
(01-06-2022, 10:38 PM)mvossman Wrote: I really struggle with Brunson's trade value. For one, he will be a UFA in a couple of months. How much value is 2 months of Brunson and bird rights worth? Do these kind of trades happen with a future contract settled on? Otherwise the buying team is incurring a lot of risk that he just walks (what we are worried about now).
Also, Brunson is at his most valuable when he is the primary creator on offense. Most of his biggest games are when he starts because Luka is out, and otherwise he is at his best running the second unit. He really is a poor man's Luka. The reality is he is a perfect 6th man (one of the problems with this team is that we have 2 6th men and not enough starters). I think its still an open question how effective he can be as a regular starter complementing Luka. I feel like this is something the Mavs really need to evaluate before the TDL because I think its less likely he stays here to be a 6th man.
I'm overly critical of JB so grain of salt. While I think he could start for a lot of team, I don't think he's a starter on a contender. I've noticed a lot of missteps from his passing game this year while running breaks, throwing lobs or making simple entry passes. The kid can get buckets though and he has some CP3-like craftiness when it comes to his midrange game and getting to the basket. I think his confidence in himself and lack of confidence in the units he runs with gives him horse blinders at times. If he develops a better outside shot (particularly on catch-and-shoot) he'll be lethal on that end of the floor. Given the opportunity, he can probably give you 20 points a night.
Where I struggle is what to pay him. I'm mostly stuck in the 8-12m range and I'm guessing he'll get more. As far as trade value, Mavs could give permission for the trading team to talk to him and his agent before finalizing. They could hash through what he's looking for in terms of future salary (surely his agent has gauged his market), role on the team and if it's a city he wants to play/live in.
As far as that being the principle return for Simmons, Morey has his heights set much higher and I think they could probably do a lot better.