07-06-2021, 09:18 AM
(07-05-2021, 10:33 PM)loki Wrote: You're only involving a 3rd team if they don't want Richardson. If Conley agrees to a deal with Dallas, it will be Utah on the phone asking for a S&T to at least get a trade exception out of it. The opportunity will be there to work something out. If the Mavs have done their homework beforehand they should have a good feel for the JRich market. If there are no takers they don't have to waste any time. I don't see that as being overly complicated.
There's also no requirement to overpay THJ in this scenario. I would advocate a 64/4 declining contract so he's a trade asset in a year or two. Much better than letting talent walk for nothing. But even if you lose him to a team like Miami, the S&T still preserves the full MLE. If they sign a player into cap space they'll have to renounce the MLE/BAE and will only have the room exception available at about $5m. I'm skeptical you can find a starter for that amount.
Richardson is only half the battle. You still have to find other pieces to make up Conley's salary. Although not happy with the pick, Green is still an asset, and I'm not sure I want to throw him away in a salary match.
If you don't sign THJ, then gaining the MLE means you have lost roughly MLE in cap space and the room. You would be better off operating under the cap to gain the room. That means if you don't re-sign THJ, there is no value to S&T of Conley.
From that standpoint, THJ has leverage. He may get a bigger offer from another team. He and his agent might not want to sign a declining contract because he does not want to get thrown into a trade in a year or two. He may not want to be here now that Rick is gone. There are a lot of variables.
I'm not saying something could not be worked out, just that there are a lot of moving parts and its not something I would count on, or be upset if the FO couldn't pull off. Count me more than content with a Conley/Batum offseason.