RealGM

KINGS
In:Jrue/Powell
Out:DDR/SRP

The Kings adjust by getting a defensive leader and a guard, solving some of their flaws in one player.


BOSTON
In:T.Mann+ 3SRP
Out: Holiday

They cut Jrue's salary in half, got younger, and got a defensive guard to stay competitive.

MAVS
In:DDR
Out: Gafford /Powell/Hardy/SRP

He gets the scoring and perimeter playmaking he so desperately needs without losing any key assets, as Hardy/Powell/Gafford can all be replaced minimally with this season's discoveries B.Williams/K.Edwards/Kai Jones.

HAWKS
In: Gafford/Hardy
Out:T.Mann/SRP

gets an ideal fit for Trae in Gafford and a backup guard prospect he needs

Not that Nico seemingly gives a damn about what fans or media think of his trades, but the optics of defending the Luka trade with his "defense wins championships" stuff and then making this trade to backfill Luka with a terrible defender like DeRozen isn't going to play well.

Is there a way to cut SAC from this deal and have DAL keep Jrue for themselves? It's going to be very shot-creation deficient in the short term, but if and when Kyrie returned to the court and gets back in form, a starting lineup of Kyrie/Jrue/Klay/AD/Lively could, in theory, work. You have a bunch of guys on the same timeline (Kyrie, Jrue, Klay, AD) supplemented by a good young starter in Lively who's already shown he can contribute to winning.

I also think BOS is doing to well here. Jrue is still great but in today's 2nd apron environment that contract is going to be an anchor on his value. Mann is obviously a lesser player, but still a solid one and he's signed modestly for 3 years. At the very least, BOS shouldn't be getting the 2nds and should probably be sending them out.