11-21-2020, 10:55 AM
[b]Thunder, Pistons, Mavs: [/b]Again, let’s see what the draft pick terms are, but Detroit turning Trevor Ariza into Delon Wright in its three-team deal with OKC and Dallas seems like the Pistons’ best move of the week. Wright was a fish out of water playing off the ball with the Mavs, but he is a deceptively productive player despite his shaky outside shooting, and should give Detroit a good option at the point if teenaged rookie Killian Hayes proves not quite ready.
Depending on the timing of this deal, Detroit also could go back under the cap by $3.5 million, or generate a $3.5 million trade exception. It’s not quite enough to avoid having to stretch Rodney McGruder by my math, but it’s close enough that if the reported numbers for Jerami Grant or Mason Plumlee were inflated or included unlikely incentives, they could get there.
On the Dallas side, flipped Wright and Justin Jackson into James Johnson, in a deal that looks like a salary dump from their end to guarantee max cap room in the 2021 offseason. Dallas had a crowded backcourt with Jalen Brunson returning from injury, Josh Richardson incoming, Trey Burke returning and Josh Green and Tyrell Terry added in the draft, so this deal unwinds a tricky playing time situation as well.
Johnson actually fits a positional need for Dallas, as they were thin on pure 4s, so I suspect the Mavs may keep him. His expiring $16 million deal could also be used a trade chip later in the season.
The Thunder will get, what else — draft picks — and inevitably will either buy out Ariza or turn him into more draft capital. If Ariza is bought out, BORD$ sees his market value as $5.2 million — a good use of the room exception or taxpayer MLE.
Again, we’ll see what picks changed hands before we come down with a strong opinion.
Hollinger
Depending on the timing of this deal, Detroit also could go back under the cap by $3.5 million, or generate a $3.5 million trade exception. It’s not quite enough to avoid having to stretch Rodney McGruder by my math, but it’s close enough that if the reported numbers for Jerami Grant or Mason Plumlee were inflated or included unlikely incentives, they could get there.
On the Dallas side, flipped Wright and Justin Jackson into James Johnson, in a deal that looks like a salary dump from their end to guarantee max cap room in the 2021 offseason. Dallas had a crowded backcourt with Jalen Brunson returning from injury, Josh Richardson incoming, Trey Burke returning and Josh Green and Tyrell Terry added in the draft, so this deal unwinds a tricky playing time situation as well.
Johnson actually fits a positional need for Dallas, as they were thin on pure 4s, so I suspect the Mavs may keep him. His expiring $16 million deal could also be used a trade chip later in the season.
The Thunder will get, what else — draft picks — and inevitably will either buy out Ariza or turn him into more draft capital. If Ariza is bought out, BORD$ sees his market value as $5.2 million — a good use of the room exception or taxpayer MLE.
Again, we’ll see what picks changed hands before we come down with a strong opinion.
Hollinger