01-02-2021, 10:06 AM
(01-01-2021, 11:20 AM)Kammrath Wrote: @"DanSchwartzman" what is Hollinger's read on Dipo and the money and market for him?
Sorry I didn't answer. Still have family in town, so less board time than usual. Thanks to Omahen for answering.
As to Oladipo, Danny Leroux has a piece today talking about players who are still eligible for an extension. Certain extensions, but not all, have to be done in the off-season. So, the piece today focuses on those that can still happen. The list includes Dipo and THJ. A couple others who get a lot of attention here are Fournier and OPJ. JRich is mentioned, but he doesn't get a write up. He can be extended in-season, but has to opt out of his 21-22 contract to do so. Note that extensions can also be extend and trades. My position on Dipo is I'd want the extension done at the same time as the trade. Of course, that limits his deal to $25mm instead of the $28mm starting salary Hayward got. Here is what Leroux said about each:
Victor Oladipo, Pacers
The 28-year-old can only receive a 20 percent raise up to a $25.2 million starting salary, but that could be enough for a deal to happen if he is risk-averse. However, it looks like Oladipo would prefer to hit the open market, at least for now.
Tim Hardaway Jr., Mavericks
It made sense that the two sides were not going to find common ground on a new deal if Hardaway opted out in the offseason because the Mavericks were prioritizing 2021 cap space. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo signing his extension potentially changes that dynamic since otherwise, Hardaway hits unrestricted free agency, though Dallas would have enough cap space to replace its starter if he chooses to leave.
Evan Fournier, Magic
Like Hardaway, Fournier made the right decision to opt in, but circumstances may have changed enough to open the door for an in-season extension. The Magic retaining both Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac ahead of time gives Jeff Weltman a clearer idea of what they can spend without hitting the 2021-22 luxury tax. At the same time, that figure is preliminarily $10-15 million, which I would bet is under what Fournier is looking for, so him being risk-averse would be what opens the door for a deal.
Otto Porter Jr., Bulls
Porter serves as a great reminder that these negotiations can run until the league year turns over next summer because Arturas Karnišovas will presumably want to see if he can stay healthy before making an extension offer worth seriously considering. Still, there is a scenario where Patrick Williams looks more like a power forward, and Porter fits in as a rare floor spacer who can also defend his position. If that happens, the Bulls would be motivated to take him off the market ahead of time.