How much is too much for Deandre Ayton?

[F Gump]

Nah. Save the assets for a wing. 

Bigs are like running backs. Nice to have a good one but not a need.

This is where I land as well. (And what a perfect comparison.)

I know the Mavs like to focus on centers and other bigs. But the days when you had to have the best big man possible, so you will have to pay what it takes to have the very best or as close as possible, are long gone. The rules and reffing have been changed considerably, and as a result the keys to how to win the game have changed too. 

So "no thanks" for Ayton at the max. Mavs should be able to get 95% of the impact, from a center at half that price or less. And good playable backups for even less. But a max deal for someone like Middleton? Now you're talking, that's a guy that's worth paying big money for.