2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[bearforce1]

-There aren't many superstars available right now.

-The trade market is currently inflated:

Mavs simply has depleted assets

For all of that, I think we are better served in playing with teams we have, reloading our asset after paying our draft debt to the Knicks

The team biggest need is another star, and not another starter.

My first post here but the end of the Giannis dream yesterday has got the gears in my brain churning.  I agree with nearly your entire post but highlighting these parts in particular as I think about the Mavs options now.
 
I'm by no means a cap expert so I welcome anyone to correct my thinking here, but based on my understanding, there’s an urgency to get a star either in-season or next offseason to preserve a max contract "slot" above the salary cap before Luka gets his extension (similar to why GS did the sign & trade for D'Angelo Russell when KD left). I certainly don't want the Mavs to go down that route though and max a free agent who doesn't warrant it.
 
So given that, the points in your post, and the Mavs greatest need for a positional upgrade (PF), here's my idea: Kevin Love & and a FRP for JJ & DP in-season (or trading for him into capspace next offseason). Why?
 
* Buying low and he's "only" 32 - Mavs have done well recently with reclamation projects
* He has 2 seasons left after '21 on his neg value contract - 1 "real" season and then he becomes an expiring...
* Kicks the can down the road to find a more suitable, younger star for our core by preserving a max slot (again, assuming I understand how the cap works)
* Mavs can partially rebuild their draft assets 
* Would be the only guy on the roster to have won a title
* Cleveland does it to get off the money & because he’s been a huge PITA during their rebuild
* He has the right agent to make it happen with the Mavs (Schwartz)
 
What do you guys think? Maybe I'm thinking about this max slot wrong or overvaluing it, but to me this is a way I think we could still keep Josh Richardson with Bird Rights, a relatively deep bench, and preserve the flexibility to add another "star" down the road. All of which I prefer to unloading the few assets we have for the likes of OPJ, Lavine, Oladipo or overspending on what is now a weak FA class.