BRUNSON BURNER: to NYK for 4yrs/$104M (no SnT) | NYK docked 2025 2nd for tampering

[michaeltex]

My comment about cap space was not meant in a way that SnT is not possible. I wrote their cost for having cap space - letting three decent players walk.  I was trying to indicate, that the opportunity cost for signing Brunson with cap space is not high. Indy can basically weight the following options:
a) lose (injured) Rubio, (injured) Warren and young Smith (with the disclaimer that they might not even want them or the players wouldn't want to stay anyway)
b) lose assets you would get in Brogdon trade
c) lose the player you could sign in the cap space created - but it has to be said that the FA class is weak, RFA included. I am not sure scenario "c" can provide higher opportunity cost than scenario "a".
d) execute other SnT option (Hield, McConnell,...)

The key here is the Brogdon value, what could they get for him - put value on scenario "b". When he plays he is great, efficiently scoring almost 20 ppg and he plays defense. Very smart player. Same as Brunson can play next to a star or be primary ball handler. He is 29 so his contract is not awful. The only downside is that he is injured a lot. Lets say Dallas would want to trade for Brogdon - what would we be willing to pay. I assume THJ, FRP and Green could be a fair offer. 

So Indy could have the following options:
a) Brunson (signed as FA) and a package of similar value to THJ, Green, FRP they would get for Brogdon or
b) Rubio, Warren, Smith and Brunson (Brogdon is traded to Dallas)

I think package "a" should have more value for a rebuilding team. That is why I am not sure Indy would be willing to go for a straight up Brunson for Brogdon swap.

That's some deeeeeeeep thinking there.