2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[SkenfromLMF]

This is an interesting point that should get fleshed out. I think its debatable whether operating over the cap is a big advantage.

So operating over the cap allows you to retain THJ and JR at any number you want to which could include higher dollar, shorter years which could advantage the Mavs. You additionally get that full MLE and the BAE available. My issue with that is that if Mavs did have to spend a good chunk of money on THJ and JR then they are likely going to take it easy on the MLE and BAE exceptions. That's because their salary rolls could get really high unless they can successfully dump Powell.

Operating with cap space can give you around that 37 mil mark plus the smaller MLE. I think that is still plenty of money to improve the roster. I don't think in terms of roster construction that over-the-cap is that much of an advantage. This would be a different situation if the Mavs were barely under the cap. Like let's say the Mavs could only carve out 10 million in cap space by renouncing their FA's. Well in that case you would probably try to figure out a way to keep some of your FAs while preserving the full MLE.

It really comes down to how much the Mavs value THJ and/or JR. I think they value them some but they also value the ability to chase what they view as star players (ie Collins). I don't believe the Mavs are scared of losing THJ/JR (ie bird in the hand) while they chase whoever their top target is this year. I am confident if those guys go elsewhere the Mavs can still build a good roster and one that has some flexibility. 

We don't want any bad contracts. In my opinion DP is the only bad contract we have right now and he's a year away from being a neutral contract at worst.

I will say that I struggle to see where gutting a starter and a 6th man out of the rotation and trying to find 2 better players AND an MLE with $34 million in space is even doable...

IMO the ability to keep both pieces and Melli means that Dallas gets flexibility and can try to get a better shooting starter, or a big wing, or even upgrade over Powell/WCS with the MLE (or maybe just part of it - Dallas has a habit of keeping a chunk of exception available to bid over the minimum for waived players)...


The real question comes down to how much a player that is available would cost (ie c. $20 million) and whether their team would be willing to work out an S&T.