06-11-2022, 02:21 PM
(06-11-2022, 12:19 PM)F Gump Wrote: 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.
2. I don't see much need for another backup. Luka, Brunson, Dinwiddie, Ntilikina can all take minutes at the 1. All of those guys plus Hardaway, Green, Brown, and Pinson can take minutes at the 2. Depending on who they draft you might be able to add another name to that list. I'm really struggling to see the downside of losing a guy who appears in half the games for 10 minutes.
3. If it's relevant to how much luxury tax Cuban has to pay, it could very well be relevant to the roster. You can compare Burke to the minimum salary, but if they are starting at 17 players they won't add anyone else after moving him. The trade would be Burke and cash to cover his contract (plus a little extra) to be absorbed by a non-taxpaying team with a TPE (or cap space). That's an easy $10m in net savings.
I would also prioritize upgrading the top end of the roster rather than "upgrading Burke". However, that doesn't mean that the bottom half of the roster is somehow untouchable. I certainly expect them to try landing an upgrade at center through trade, but I think they are going to have a hard time pulling it off. If no major deal happens, it seems unavoidable that guys like Burke and Brown will be on the chopping block.