06-30-2022, 01:00 PM
(06-30-2022, 12:07 PM)Dundalis Wrote: Dallas never had any interest in JB being here long term, signed or not signed. He is the first piece dangled in any trade talks, confirmation that he was offered in the package of picks to try and get Haliburton, just about confirms it IMO. If they played their cards right, they have a very appetising JB on an attractive contract that they move the first opportunity they get. They stuffed that up, but bottom line is, I don't think anyone at the Mavs wanted JB here long term, they will just wished they had locked him up sooner and cheaper so they could be at the table for deals for better players than they will now.
It was a bad situation the Mavs put themselves in, but they lost a trade asset and not a long term piece plain and simple IMO. JB was never going to stay in Dallas one way or the other.
This is very insightful.
From Brunson's POV, if Dallas is only signing him to be a useful trade chip (and you make great points that such is likely their thinking), why sign here when he can get more elsewhere? Why make himself an even easier player to trade? If he's looking for a home and a team to grow with, it takes TWO sides to be committed.
FWIW, Nash left for basically the same reason.