2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[mvossman]

I think all of our conversations about this offseason are pretty moot unless Luka and KP magically fall in unlikely basketball love before or during the playoffs, because KP is getting moved for whatever if that doesn't happen. We have no idea right now what the return will be and what effect it will have on our cap situation. My guesses:

1) THJ is back next year at a lower salary - a mil or two haircut per year from his last salary.
2) JRich is back, opted-in if he didn't improve from his current play, and at a very slightly higher salary if he did. Because we have no choice but to keep Duffy happy. I agree with the post today that the great benefit of JRich is that he changed our culture. That's a good thing, and worth keeping on the roster if we can.
3) Brunson is still here.
4) I hope WCS is still here, but perhaps the MBT will be as dumb as many fans are. An upgrade is going to be hard to find on him for backup center if we traded KP.
5) Melli is brought back.
6) Several of our rooks are gone in trade.
7) I hope Maxi is still here, but he's our best trade asset aside from KP. Because Brunson isn't a trade asset.
8) Powell is still here because LOL.
9) We get a nice player (likely frontcourt) and a somewhat nice additional asset for KP. I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't for Collins in a three-team deal, with us getting a small tip from the team getting KP and the bulk of their sent assets going to Atlanta. 
10) The rest of roster is filled out with a very good MLE player and a decent piece with the small amount of cap room we likely have left over.

I agree with a lot of this, but I don't think it's that set in stone that they are going to move KP.  And if all they are going to get from a KP trade is Collins and a small asset, then I really hope they don't pull that trigger.  They would be a better team with a higher ceiling if they do everything on your list, but keep KP.  Operate over the cap and get a quality backup big (Theis?) with the MLE.