04-07-2021, 02:05 PM
(04-07-2021, 12:39 PM)StepBackJay Wrote: Okay it included Kevin O'Connor and Chris Haynes who are both connected reporters. It's not like some randos. You can dismiss them but I don't.
O'Connor reported five teams had major interest in Collins including Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota and Sacramento. His report that the Hawks requested Malik Beasley and a first was shot down by a Minnesota reporter. His detail regarding Boston was that Bogdanovic was also part of the deal (which makes some sense when you consider Boston did end up with Fournier...a similar player). Haynes was the one who reported Dallas made an offer involving Maxi. Both reported a TDL deal was unlikely.
I postulated some time back that Dallas has a history of trading for restricted guys before they hit the market and trying to trade for soon-to-be UFA's so they could have their Bird rights entering the summer. I would point out that trying to steal a RFA at the TDL is different than putting your summer on hold for the same guy. We were also associated by various reporters with Drummond, Fournier, Norman Powell Mitchell Robinson Larry Nance Jr., Aaron Gordon and Richaun Holmes. Our love for and "significant interest" in Collins doesn't appear to be exclusive.
Our old friend Jake Fischer was the one who put Dallas on the list for Norman Powell. He correctly predicted Lowry would stay and Powell would be traded. He also had Denver listed first on his list of destinations for Aaron Gordon. He said "The Mavericks have been the loudest rumored team for Fournier with one potential package being James Johnson and two second round picks". That is quite believeable since the Boston deal is very similar except the part where Orlando didn't have to take back Johnson's salary. I go through all of this to point out that Dallas seemed to have interest in "Types" of players rather than any sure-fire desire for any specific one. My take away from this is we may be at the doorstep of several players when free agency opens. The first of Powell/Fournier to say yes and some big (maybe Holmes or Theis?) seems more likely than going all in on RFA Collins.