D21 wrote:Ball4life32 wrote:I know he hasn’t led the Hawks to the playoffs but still think he makes a big impact.
Instead of comparing with and without John, we should imagine what would be difference with John and with Sabonis instead (for example, but also because he was All-Star and John would have been already if ATL had the IND record this season).
It's not the same team, but IND without Sabonis is not the same team, and they share somthing, they both play better at PF than at C, shaving both their playing time between PF and C, and IND can re-sign him for 78M/4years... Why would ATL need to pay the Max ?
Sabonis was a 6MOTY candidate, playing 25mpg when he was paid. If his extension talks came after this season, there's no doubt he would get the max dollars. Looking at this year, Siakam, Simmons and Murray got the max (all top 2 players on their playoff team). Brown and Sabonis got value deals for their team (because they were not top 2 guys). I feel it depends on the team's cap situation as well as the fit.
If I'm ATL I'm paying the max dollars for him. Even though he might not be worth all that, I can't see FA lining up to play there. Solidify your team as a playoff contending then guys will take discounts to play there.
DAL and ATL are in similar positions, but DAL's role players fit our system and our stars.
Trae/Huerter/Hunter/Collins/Capela/Redish/2020 1st is a great future core. Not sure what the coaching situation is. Looking at the east, most teams won't go away (MIL, PHI, IND, TOR, BOS, MIA, BRO) so don't rush things, let them flow. Good luck to y'all and hope to see you guys in the finals in 5 years.