06-08-2021, 05:01 AM
(06-07-2021, 09:30 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: I am not suggesting a 00s Cavs like all in approach that leaves the Mavs with terrible contracts, no capspace or picks but I do think that Luka wants the Mavs to do everything in their power to win now. There are no guarantees in the NBA. One injury. One bad trade (KP). The Mavs have to make the most of it while they have Luka.
I think we all agree Mavs need to upgrade team. That "2024 plan" doesn't mean do nothing till then. But let's be realistic, there are simply no (super)stars available this summer. There is no way Mavs can sign a super star in years 2022 or 2023. Of course you can always trade for one if opportunity appears but then again the "2024 plan" doesn't prevent us from doing that. It is just about keeping flexibility.
Neglecting some "minor issues" like JRich potentially opting in this team has between 15-20 mil of cap space to use if they resign THJ. Use either Maxi or Powell and you are over 20 mil. That could be enough for a good player. You could also straight up trade Brunson for Smart, for example. So we basically bring back the core minus a bench player plus a good player. Use exception money to cover bench holes. Difficult to say this is not an upgrade.
The alternative is way more difficult as there are two "obstacles" - THJ and KP. We have no idea what KP market would be, but it doesn't look great. Let's go extreme way and just dump him for cap space as some are suggesting. If you keep THJ you have 40-45 mil of cap space to play with and bring in KP replacement and that "good player" from my previous paragraph. Sure it is nice to play with Holmes ideas but there is no assurance we can actually get him. Does he still looks nice if Charlotte goes desperate and throws 25 mil per on the table for him? Even if we get him, can we really be sure a jump from KP to Holmes will make such a huge difference?
Personally I see THJ as even a bigger obstacle, assuming we can't get better value for KP. I have a really hard time seeing him as a starter as we basically give up on defense with him. But if we pay him the money he will likely get (15-20 per range) we severly limit ourselves actually bringing in a guy that could fit better. I guess THJ and another roughly 20 per player is best what this summer will come down to.