05-02-2023, 09:10 AM
Assuming Phoenix can't turn it around against Denver, they are in a very interesting situation. They have zero assets to trade, no picks and no young players other than Ayton, for whom one might argue, he is overpaid. CP and Durant will be a year older and CP looks done. They have no depth besides their starters. They only have 7 players under contract for next season.
Booker and Durant are untouchable. Ayton has value, but he is also paid max and his production doesn't really reflect his contract. Never shined in playoffs. Seems like he has no dog in him. Still young, but not sure his deal has more than neutral value. Shamet is way overpaid. Payne at 6 mil is a decent back up PG. Wainright is "D-not so good 3" wing at vet min. CP3 contract is team friendly though, as he is only guaranteed 15 mil for next season and zero for the next one. If they don't guarantee his deal, it would allow them to stay under apron and use full MLE. Still, 15 mil of dead money is a lot to just throw away, if you want to contend. 30 mil for CP3 at the stage where he is now, is a big overpay.
As Phoenix has no depth and assets, they can't really trade Ayton without getting a center back. They can't really trade CP3 without getting a replacement pointguard back.
Irving seems like a great replacement for CP3 and Ayton seems like a good option to solve Mavs center issues. Irving+salary filler for CP3 and Ayton seems like a fair deal. However, Phoenix would still need a center and Mavs would need to find at least one secondary ballhandler to replace Irving (I don't think CP3 can fill a starter spot if Mavs want to contend). Mavs still need at least one big wing. As Phoenix has zero assets and Mavs have very limited ones, I think it will be very difficult to fill that holes.
If I am Phoenix, I would trade Ayton for a lesser center and some depth or assets (which would allow to further trade Shamet or CP3).
Booker and Durant are untouchable. Ayton has value, but he is also paid max and his production doesn't really reflect his contract. Never shined in playoffs. Seems like he has no dog in him. Still young, but not sure his deal has more than neutral value. Shamet is way overpaid. Payne at 6 mil is a decent back up PG. Wainright is "D-not so good 3" wing at vet min. CP3 contract is team friendly though, as he is only guaranteed 15 mil for next season and zero for the next one. If they don't guarantee his deal, it would allow them to stay under apron and use full MLE. Still, 15 mil of dead money is a lot to just throw away, if you want to contend. 30 mil for CP3 at the stage where he is now, is a big overpay.
As Phoenix has no depth and assets, they can't really trade Ayton without getting a center back. They can't really trade CP3 without getting a replacement pointguard back.
Irving seems like a great replacement for CP3 and Ayton seems like a good option to solve Mavs center issues. Irving+salary filler for CP3 and Ayton seems like a fair deal. However, Phoenix would still need a center and Mavs would need to find at least one secondary ballhandler to replace Irving (I don't think CP3 can fill a starter spot if Mavs want to contend). Mavs still need at least one big wing. As Phoenix has zero assets and Mavs have very limited ones, I think it will be very difficult to fill that holes.
If I am Phoenix, I would trade Ayton for a lesser center and some depth or assets (which would allow to further trade Shamet or CP3).
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