07-08-2021, 02:45 AM
(07-07-2021, 06:54 PM)Tyler Wrote: A few thoughts:
- Conley seems like a prime candidate for our big FA acquisition. He fits both a need (veteran secondary playmaker who also plays defense) and a pattern (previous big-name Mavs FA target where they finish 2nd but land him later after the contract ages). So I can totally see it.
- If operating over the cap, JRich+Maxi can get Conley to $25mm in the first year. Which seems right. So taking your trade suggestion at face value, that makes me want to make other moves first to maximize the use of our cap space.
- If Dallas lets THJ go, that leaves about $20mm in cap space. Interestingly, this is exactly what Oubre is rumored to want. So maybe there really is something going on there where Oubre's agent is publicly signaling his client's FA preference.
- I don't think Oubre is worth $20mm. And I also don't think he's worth losing THJ for.
So I can believe that something is going on with those two guys. But for it to make the most sense to me, one of two things would push it over the top:
1. Split the $20mm between Oubre and another player before trading for Conley. Oubre and that other player would need to be more valuable than THJ + a MLE free agent. For example, (and knowing that Maxi is traded) dividing that money between Oubre and Markkanen could be interesting. Having both on deals just over the MLE could be good options for them and good values for Dallas. Maybe they also let WCS go to free up a few more million to seal the deal.
2. Operate over the cap. Keep THJ, sign Oubre to the MLE, and trade for Conley.
Surveying the FA options, I think either outcome could be a pretty effective offseason. The most important thing is to just add talent.
A couple of thoughts.
1. Paying Oubre 20 mil would be just crazy. There is no way he is worth that much, totally agree. However, we have 34 mil of cap space if we let go JRich, THJ, WCS and Bobi. If Conley costs 25 mil, 9 mil is probably not enough for Oubre. That is why Kleber is going out and we have 17 mil of cap space. This is still way too much for Oubre. But if we keep WCS or sign Bobi for more than vet min, we are getting in a range it would make sense.
2. I think there would have to be more pieces in that alleged JRich and Kleber to Utah for Conley deal. It just doesn't make sense as it is. It makes little sense for Utah to take that salary. From Dallas perspective we can perhaps get someone who would take Kleber into cap space and send us a pick, although I think once teams sense that another one needs cap space, that space has price no matter what player you are sending them. Remember Warren to Indy deal - Phoenix paid Indy to take a good player on a good contract. So I would assume that if Kleber is included in the Utah deal, something more is coming back and Favors is by far worst salary Utah has. But then again - why would Dallas want Favors when we are already overpaying KP and Powell at centre. Besides, the only asset Utah has is the #30 pick (unless we go for some future protected picks) - the SnT can't be done on draft night. Still, Kleber for Favors can also be done as a separate deal. Would a three team deal make sense? Dal: Conley, Oubre; GSW: JRich; Uta: Kle. Even if Conley and Oubre are signed for a bit less, lets say combined 34 mil, we would need more salary going out to operate over the cap. Could we make it in a way to leave enough cap space to resign THJ? I guess if we could squeeze them to combined 30 mil, would THJ accept a deal starting with 12 mil?
A question for capologists. Can we make a draft day trade, lets say Kleber for Favors and #30 and later exand it with additional pieces once FA opens?