TDL Archived: The 2nd Rnd Pick Yankee Swap

[ItsGoTime]

1 Player value evaluation rarely works as clean and logically as that, unfortunately.
2 While you point to the limits or issues w Maxi, it's arguable that when he's playing and healthy, he's worth FAR MORE than the MLE.
3 One big overlooked part of the equation is the combo of replacement COST (what will it cost in free agency to get someone as good or better) and replacement AVAILABILITY (this not only has the issue of whether you can find another like him, but also whether you will have the ability within the rules and the negotiating skills to get him). The "bird in the hand" axiom is a really big deal.
.... Your Bullock comment speaks to that. It assumes "oh, we'll just go get another Maxi whenever we want, at the price we want" and that's just not how the NBA works. And, you don't get awarded another MLE to replace Maxi if he walks, and in free agency you're stuck filling the same hole you just made and making no progress. Or going BACKWARD. (See Brunson, J.)

So, for sure, replacement cost is an issue, I just don’t think there is as big a market out there for Maxi as you say and anyone who looks into his history is gonna see very easily what I just said. It was reported that he was in the package we offered Atl for Collins and they didn’t bite (I don’t remember the rest of the package being reported and that would be needed to really know how much “value” we thought he had and what with him was not enough for Atl. But I imagine it’s safe to say his name has come up in trade talks one way or the other and nothing had materialized.


For sure when Maxi is on it’s safe to say he’s worth at least the MLE. I just demonstrated that that Maxi is really hit or miss though to the tune of his numbers year to year and playoff to playoff are all over the place. He can look great 1 month then not hit a single 3 the next. I wish his game and body were more reliable than they are, I just can’t say it without feeling like I’m trying to bluff.

In all honesty, as far as replacement value, if we believe a team thinks he’s worth more than MLE money, I would say cash in now on that value cause there is no telling if his back will be Jeckyl or Hyde this coming playoffs.