2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[DanSchwartzgan]

He is expiring though and the proposed deal overall does give Mavs much needed flexibility. I was thinking lately - does KP raise the ceiling of the team? One could say that Mavs don't look any different when he is out. They are 19-15 with him playing and 12-8 with him not playing. Mavs definitely need him for regular season as no one can be really competitive with 30 % of his cap not used. So if my assumption is correct, wouldn't it make sense to break his contract into more moveable pieces? I don't really like both Maxi and FRP included in the deal, though.

Washington does seem like a possible partner. Their roster is filled with average players and they just don't have minutes for all of them. They also have horrible contracts of their own. How about:

Was: KP, Burke, Brown, Brown
Dal: Bertans, KCP, Hachimura, Bryant

Mavs dump overpaid players (M. Brown exception) that are signed for at least anothers season. Bertans is one of worst contracts in the league but it is half the size of KP contract and he does have some on court value as bench shooter. KCP would be used as needed rotation guard with THJ injured. He will be expiring contract Mavs would need next season. Hachimura looks like not needed in Washington but is cost controlled for another season and Mavs could see if he is a long term piece. Fills the position of need and can also be useful young prospect to deal in the summer. Bryant is expiring and temporary needed as a back-up center to fill the void after KP departure. Mavs have half of the season to decide if they want to keep him.

A friend of mine likes to say "if you have to eat a turd, don't nibble".  If all this trash is where KP's value is these days, then this really is an exercise in turd eating.

I'm more of an Avdija guy than a Rui guy.  In fact, he's the only reason I even answer the call from Washington.    

I started to write a longer post with detailed thoughts on KCP, Kuzma, Bryant, Harrell, Dinwiddie and Bertans, but the truth is I don't want any of them.  I guess the expiring bad players are better than long term bad players.

There is a chance this is essentially KP for Avdija and Bertans in a few months (plus a free look at Bryant).  Yes, there is a substantial savings over KP/Brown...probably enough to hang onto Brunson and DFS without paying the LT.  But, you have to be pretty down on KP to do this and you've not really done anything that adds to your ability to become a contender except move on from a potential impediment from a fit and health standpoint.  I'd need to add a third team and send off the expiring deals there to get back something of value in its place.