Rock and a Hard Place

[ItsGoTime]

I think Powell is perfectly ok in the role of a back-up center and we know what we have in him. I don't think Hartenstein has way more upside. He can't shoot, he is foul prone and unlikely to be able to play more than 20 mpg. In that light I don't think he could outplay his contract value. I doubt teams are looking to pay even more for a back-up big and see value in that. I think it is also possible he would be worse than Powell.

I do value your eye for talent, I just think his best self will be an 8 ppg, 6 rpg, 1 bpg, 18 mpg backup C with at least league average efficiency. No guarantee that happens, but at 24, there’s still time.

Edit: Oh, and I think the Mavs have paid Powell enough that he should be a vet min contract. That also is what I think other C’s at his skillset and contribution are at. I don’t think he will have any takers for more than that either. Would love for him to stay and be the vet leader he has been, but if he does happen to get a bigger offer, we should not entertain the thought of retaining him.