GAME 13 DIRKIE: Winner KP (67%) | Runner-up THJ (24%)

[mvossman]

I would be willing to trade DFS but not because I don't appreciate what he brings or think he's easily replaceable. For me it's more practical than that. It's more about how else can we improve the team without opening up a gaping hole somewhere else? KP, THJ, and Brunson are the only others on the team besides Luka that can score or make plays. You could convince me to trade anyone outside Luka, but we would HAVE to make sure that if we traded one of those three that we're getting back someone who is at an equal level or better at scoring or playmaking. 

So if you aren't trading one of those guys then who else on the team has any value at all? No one is going to give anything of value for Powell, Sterling Brown, WCS, or Burke. Ntilikina, Omoruyi, and Moses are the young guys we want to keep and try to develop. That pretty much just leaves DFS, Maxi, or Bullock.

We just signed Bullock so I doubt the FO wants to immediately move him. That leaves DFS or Maxi. What could a package of DFS, Green, and Powell get? I think we could take back about 18 million in salary with that trade package. Swap Maxi in for DFS and we take on an even bigger contract.

The problem with trading Maxi is he's our only worthwhile big besides KP. So really, it just leaves DFS as the only option. At the very least, you'd still have Bullock to play the 3 and Maxi to play the 4. 

It's not ideal. I don't want to "get rid" of anyone. But you have to give something to get something so it's a matter of figuring out who you can move without opening up huge holes somewhere else. We're capped out, so the only ways to improve is via exceptions, trades, and draft picks. If we want to take this team to the next level it's possible we'll have to make some tough decisions, and if DFS is the one that falls on, then so be it I guess.

My biggest issue with trading guys like DFS/Maxi is that I don't see them getting back the value that they are providing the team.  Guys like that don't get much value in trades, but we desperate need players who are quality on defense and don't kill you on offense.  I feel like losing either causes a gapping hole that is not easily filled and I'm skeptical throwing either into a trade is going to return equal value back.  The reality is that due to 3 years of mismanagement, this team does not have hardly any tradable assets, and our best bet is going to be expiring guys plus picks (once we get access to them).