EXTENSION: Gobert signs 5yr/$205M w/ UTA | DAL "significant interest" if available

[KillerLeft]

I would hope that any trade Dallas makes is based on THJ and not Richardson. So a trade for Gobert would be THJ, Johnson, and picks/rookies.  The goal here is using Gobert (and his new contract) to salvage the cap space they theoretically have built up by having an asset that can then be traded (RG/KP) when a player is available.

I still don't follow. Are you saying trade for Gobert and re-sign him when he expires...to trade him, someday? I don't understand what you mean by "salvage the cap space." 

My fear is trying to create cap space and losing our FA's in the time we tried to land a bigger fish. I am much more comfortable operating as a team above the cap, building up assets, rather than opening up space at the cost of a Richardson.

You are the second person who has suggested this doomsday scenario. They don't have to renounce the rights of anyone until they make an offer, and this is an up and coming team that likes each other and has fun together. I think the idea that these guys would run for the hills the second they're free is ludicrous. All three of the Mavs' free agents are very likely to want to come back. 

I don't understand where this particular fear comes from. I'd put the chances of that happening at like <1%.