Post#314 » by Jg41 » Tue Jan 14, 2020 7:24 pm
The team should play this smart and continue emphasizing culture building, roster continuity, and team chemistry. We've been down this road before in 2014. I know it might seem reductive to harken back to that season, but those aforementioned factors are even more important now than they were then because we now possess the widest championship window in the league. The team should stand pat this year. The only assets I'd be comfortable parting with are Lee, Jackson, and the Utah pick, and even combined those assets have marginal value at best. I'd wait until the 2021 trade deadline before making any major roster changes, and I'd swing a deal that clears up the roughly 37-38M needed to sign Giannis. I'm not saying this is likely, but if the goal is to create a sustainable dynasty (as it should be...this isn't a 35YO LeBron-LA scenario), management's strategy should be geared towards preserving its assets and adding a 3rd star in 2021. It's important to consider that a deal that makes us marginally better, but impedes financial flexibility or disrupts team chemistry only makes us less attractive to stars hitting FA in two summers. Furthermore, studs like Giannis will not tarnish their careers (a la KD) by joining a title favorite, and while I'd love for the Mavs to win as much as possible, it wouldn't be the worst thing for the team and our players to have to deal with the adversity that comes with a few mid-round playoff exits before they reach the promise land (ask the GOATs). Many (if not all) of these proposals leave us with one or more of the following: even fewer assets, potentially diminished chemistry, and/or restricted financial flexibility...all for what would hypothetically be a decisive WCF defeat instead of a hard-fought 2nd round exit (and even that's being fairly optimistic). Bearing that in mind, this would be my ideal management plan for the Mavericks between now and the summer of 2021.
2020 Trade Deadline:
Scout the Draft...extra hard...
2020 Offseason:
Sign 1st Rd Pick for Rookie Scale (BPA)
Sign Golden State 2nd Rd Pick (ideally a lob catching center) for 4YR Veteran Minimum
Resign J. Barea (or comparable role replacement) for 1YR Veteran Minimum
Resign R. Broekhoff (or comparable role replacement) for 1YR Veteran Minimum
Sign A. Cleveland for 4YR Veteran Minimum
Sign Utah 2nd Rd Pick on a Two-Way to join Reaves
2021 Trade Deadline:
Trade D. Powell / D. Wright / 2020 1st Rd Pick (~22M in total Salary) and any necessary cash or future 2nds to Boston for M. Smart & E. Kanter...They drafted Powell and know him better than most, excellent PnR partner with Kemba, upgrade over Kanter, Wright is priced more appropriately as a backup given that they already boast 2 Max Contract players in their backcourt. We'll probably be drafting a few spots ahead of Boston this summer too, so the team could preemptively snatch someone they're interested in as well in order to bolster the appeal of its offer. Smart is a Dallas native, younger (25), and a superior defender than Wright...an excellent fit next to Luka. Kanter will likely be playing on an expiring 5M player option and he will temporarily provide some of the physical disposition many of you are clamoring for. PnR game will suffer in Powell's absence, but his departure will lead to more minutes and development for Maxi. Above all, this trade gives Dallas the flexibility to offer a full 7-9 Max Contract in the summer of 2021.
2021-22 Pre-Free Agency Salary Cap & Roster:
K. Porzingis
M. Smart
L. Doncic
M. Kleber
S. Curry
D. Finney-Smith
A. Cleveland
J. Brunson
I. Roby
GSW 2nd Rounder
80,706,472 + 1,808,547 (YR 2 of A. Cleveland’s 4YR Minimum Deal) + 1,613,394 (YR 2 of Minimum Contract for 2020 Golden State 2nd Rd Pick) + 2 Cap Holds @1,028,850 Each
Total Cap Liabilities = 86,186,113
Total Cap Room (Assuming $125M Cap) = 38,813,887
Estimated Value of Max Contract for a 7-9 player in YR 1 = 37,500,000
2021 Offseason:
Sign G. Antetokounmpo for Max Contract (2+PO - So he can sign for 35% of the cap in 2023)
Resign B. Marjonovic (or comparable back-up True Center) for Bi-Annual Exception
Resign J. Barea (or comparable 3rd string Veteran PG) for 1YR Veteran Minimum
Resign R. Broekhoff (or comparable 3rd string wing 3-Point Specialist) for 1YR Veteran Minimum
Sign J. Reaves for 4YR Veteran Minimum
Sign Dallas 2nd Rd Pick for Two-Way
2021-22 Depth Chart:
PG: L. Doncic / J. Brunson / (Vet - J. Barea)
SG: M. Smart / S. Curry / A. Cleveland
SF: D. Finney-Smith / J. Reaves / (3-Point Specialist - R. Broekhoff)
PF: G. Antetokounmpo / M. Kleber / (Athletic Project - I. Roby)
C: K. Porzingis / (True Center - B. Marjonovic) / (2020 Golden State 2nd Rounder - Young Lob Threat)
Two Way Contracts:
2020 Utah 2nd Rounder
2021 Dallas 2nd Rounder
