06-11-2022, 12:19 PM
(06-11-2022, 11:23 AM)loki Wrote: If the Mavs re-sign Brunson they are already sitting at 15 contracts not including the 26th pick, taxpayer MLE, and Pinson. Who would you expect them to trade or waive to make room for the new guys? Burke seems like one of the most likely candidates to me. 3rd stringers making $3.3m are tough to swallow when they cost you $12m in tax.
1 Yes the Mavs are apparently overcommitted re roster slots, as we all know. Right now it looks like they are whittling down from 17. (That assumes Burke stays, Kleber stays, Franky stays, Brunson signs, Pinson signs.)
2 But I think getting rid of Burke is one of the least likely "solutions" they would entertain to needing a roster slot. It's not because Burke is all-world but rather the fact that getting rid of your backup means you have to get another backup player to replace him, which doesn't leave you any added roster room.
3 The complaint about Burke's salary is irrelevant to the roster. Yes, he is a bit overpaid, but not by a big number, since the minimum is only about 1M less. It would be better to have signed him for the minimum, but ....
There is significant value in the fact that he is already here, already knows the role, has done it as well as could be expected, and is already under contract. They need to address the need for 2 more players in the 5-8 range of their pecking order, and I suspect "upgrading Burke" wouldn't even make their radar.
As for how the Mavs will get from 17 to 15, the process of working to fill in their 2 holes can change that math. For example, one idea would be Powell-Brown-26 for Holmes or Wood to upgrade the C, and then let THJ be the other wing addition they need. There are lots of others.