01-09-2021, 12:03 PM
(01-09-2021, 03:30 AM)pompelmo Wrote: Excuse me if I am being a smart ass saying something you already know, but JRich's cap hold is not equal to his option. Clearing Powell's salary won't be enough (which I think would cost us. Even prime Powell on a 10 million$ per year deal would be a neutral asset at best). You'd need to clear 5 million$ more.
Oh, for sure. We all know all of this here. We discussed it all way too much back when Giannis was a possibility.
It actually wouldn't be that difficult to move Powell, imo (if he stays healthy all season). Much less difficult than it would have been if they had tried to do it this past off-season, for sure. And LITERALLY everyone else on the roster is on a value deal, with the exception of Porzingis. Clearing a max spot and keeping Richardson's cap hold ($16.5 million, if memory serves) would not be impossible or even difficult, imo.
Like I said though...so many interesting 2021 free agency names have already come off the board. I'm of the thinking now that if they go into free agency looking for a difference maker, the chances of success are kind of slim. I mean, there will be up and coming stars who move - there always are. Surprise trades, restricted free agents whose teams don't match, surprise opt outs, etc, etc. But, I think the best chance for the Mavs might be to use that cap space early by building a trade around 1-2 of those expiring contracts at the deadline. And btw, I'm not opposed to Richardson being included for the right guy, but that's just me.