2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[DanSchwartzgan]

 
Who else would you target next year besides Giannis or some fantasy trade that isn´t even discussed right now?

It´s basically Gobert, guys with a player option (Kawhi, PG) that are unlikely to leave, injury-prone former allstars like Oladipo or RFAs.

FA: Oladipo, Fournier, Aldridge, DeRozan, Gobert, Conley
PO: CP3, Leonard, George, Dinwindie, Powell (TOR)
RFA: Collins (ATL), Collins (POR), Allen, Markkanen, Kuzma, Robinson, Ball, Fultz, Isaac, White, OG Anunoby

I think you mentioned the Mavs need for a 3rd star and that you are not convinced that KP can be the 2nd option. If that´s the case we can only hope for another KP-like miracle trade. Only problem is that this time the Mavs don´t even have the picks to pay for a high quality player.
Remember that RoCo was traded for 2 1sts. The Magic rejected the same offer for Gordon. A difference maker / 3rd star like Jrue Holiday was traded for Bledsoe, Hill, 2 unprotected 1sts and 2 future pick swaps. 

So, basically there are only two "special" players realistically available for cap room...Gi and Go.  If you are going to use cap room you have to give up valuable players and if you are giving up valuable players, the player you are getting HAS to be special.  BTW, SBJ, there is no world in which THJ's next contract starts at $10mm.  Bogdanovic got $18mm as an RFA in a year where few teams had cap room.  THJ at $10mm isn't close to realistic.

The good news is we will know soon enough if Gi and Go will really be free or not.  If they are free, go ahead and take your shot.  If not, keep what you have (THJ and JRich) and trade your way to the next upgrade.  I don't think Johnson's large expiring deal will bring in a star, but you might be able to upgrade your weakest starter (whoever that is).  I still think we are a team with two stars and a whole bunch of 4th/5th/6th man types in JRich, THJ, Powell, DFS, Maxi and Brunson in the 8 man.  It would be nice if WCS could live up to his potential as it would free up one of Powell or Maxi to be added to Johnson.  Much of our off-season efforts seemed directed at 4's, so my assumption is that is the position they'd most like to upgrade.

Edit:  I think it is important to remember that Dallas could have stopped at a Wright for Ariza deal, but chose to add draft compensation to move Jackson/Ariza for Johnson.  The fact they kept the deal open for an extra week means they were willing to discuss a further expansion of that deal.  Moving from Ariza to Johnson does three things for us.

1.  Johnson's $16mm is easier to trade match larger salaries
2.  The two for one opens another roster slot
3.  We arguably filled that spot with minimum wage Iwundu.  His salary plus Johnson's salary is basically the same as what Ariza/Jackson would have made.

The importance of that last point is it kept us $6 million below the tax line.  So, we can do a deal that brings back excess salary without becoming a tax paying team (which is probably important as Dallas would prefer to postpone the clock starting on future repeater tax years).  To me, all of that points to a team that is willing to deal in-season and kept the flexibility to do so.