06-12-2021, 04:33 AM
(06-11-2021, 04:38 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: Just wanted to throw out there... I hear a lot of concern in terms of trading KP that "We'll never recoup what we sent out for him."
Um, we sent out
1) two expiring malcontents who weren't very good at basketball,
2) a "young prospect" who turned out to be a future Shanghai Shark, and
3) two first rounders, one of which is the 21st pick in this draft, plus an indeterminate future pick which will likely be lower as long as Luka is healthy
4) while taking an a supposed albatross contract who turned out to be a player that has been useful to the Mavs over the past two seasons.
The only thing that ended up making the KP trade costly for the Mavs was giving him a max deal that most other teams in the league would have been fairly happy to give him at the time, but he sadly hasn't lived up to it.
So, if his return involves nothing more than, say,
1) a useable player, hopefully a starter (imho Wes and VAJ weren't really usable players for the Knicks),
2) salary relief, whether current or in the form of guys who can serve as decent placeholders until they expire sooner than KP would - '22, the LaVine year, would be fantastic,
3) perhaps one young prospect or a pick,
I agree. Unfortunately I doubt the Mavs would look at it this way. They´d look at Harris + Bamba + some asset X as a huge loss. If asset X was Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton or the 8th pick, it´s a big win imho, but I doubt Orlando wants to go that far.
Anyway you can turn Porzingis + THJ + Richardson + Kleber into Harris expiring + Bamba + John Collins (loved the way he battle Embiid yesterday) and generate Lavine 2022 capspace, that´s a huge win imho.
I look at teams like Philly, Utah, Denver or Phoenix, who have two young superstars, plus All-Star level veteran support and elite (defensive) roleplayers. depending on where you stand on JJJ and Hunter, you can add Atlanta to the list. Heck Edwards has shown signs that him and KAT could turn into something special.
Then I look at THJ/Porzingis as our 2nd/3rd option and I´m thinking: What is the point? We have lost twice in the 1st round with that core already. According to this board we overachieved in doing so. Meanwhile the Clippers likely lose in the next round again.
Okay I get maybe the Porzingis trade doesn´t materialize this summer....
....but paying THJ anything above 13-14M/year (preferably declining and 3+1 team option) is just asking for Luka to leave. THJ is shooting 38/33/69 in his play-off career. That´s your idea of a 2nd option, really? Cause NOBODY touches THJ at a fully guaranteed 72/4 plus.