winforlose wrote:Domejandro wrote:shrink wrote:One last bit on Smart.
I can see the Timberwolves being interested in Smart. Gupta has said that he wants MIN to be longterm buyers, and as much as we all love Beverley, he is 33. I could see a trade if the price is reasonable, but BOS has less leverage with MIN than virtually any other team - they just extend Beverley and spend a little more money to be able to keep their 1st, and worry about the problem down the road.
But imagine if MIN acquires Smart 27, on his current deal ($14,339,285 $16,607,142 $18,583,713 $19,960,285 $21,336,856). Where does that leave Beverley? If you pay Smart this much, you’re eventually turning the starting role over to him, so you better not pay Bev like a starter to play back up minutes. He’s certainly played well enough to be a starter on some nba team.
I think what we are seeing is that MIN will offer Beverley an extension after the Trade Deadline, if it still makes sense for both parties.
My presumption would be that Minnesota would only really be interested in pulling the trigger on Marcus Smart if Patrick Beverly was part of another deal. I really do not see it happening, otherwise.
Smart feels like a poor man’s Beverly on a bad contract. I think this whole thing is leverage to get Bev to sign cheaper.
This is my thought as well.
Beverley’s agent is probably saying, “you have to give him a long, lucrative extension because you need him!”
Gupta responds, “we can always trade for Smart if you ask for too much.”
I’d rather have Bev, keep our assets, and worry about his age down the road.