05-24-2023, 12:47 PM
(05-24-2023, 12:38 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I'm glad we're largely in agreement regarding Cuban. However, I do think you're overlooking one important X-factor and that is Kyrie's sense of feeling respected. This is the same dude who asked for a trade immediately after winning the finals because he felt like he was number 2. Same dude who blew up the Nets season(s) because of clashes with the FO (and Kyrie basically signaling he was disrespected). His final move was either give me a max extension or trade me. And even though they were 1st in the East and a powerhouse he stayed true to his word because the Nets didn't offer a fully guaranteed max.
You cannot play games with Kyrie. I don't think he truthfully cares what Luka is getting paid or that he's lower on the proverbial totem pole. He wants a max. If he will not be given a max, you're asking yourself to be struck by Kyrie's indomitable sword of PR Nightmares, as he has an incentive to act out. Risking that kind of distraction over 10 million is foolish to me. If the Mavs didn't want Kyrie, they shouldn't have traded for him. As soon as that trade went through (and for the assets that they paid), they have to follow through and retain the asset (*and relationship*)
Give Kyrie the max. If you don't you have to SnT him for scraps. It really is that simple imo.
If there's absolutely no other way... then, sure.
But I'd make a really, really strong appeal for the value of his future legacy if he can win a couple of championships. And that might depend on getting the one additional complementary player that could put them over the top. Which might be worth a few million in salary.