(05-05-2023, 08:13 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I wouldn't sleep on the possibility of a Paul retirement. 

....

If they S/W his guarantee, its only $3.16mm per year for five years.

(05-05-2023, 03:10 PM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: How is this lineup
Luka, Jrue, Green, Wood, Lopez
not better than this lineup?
Luka, Kyrie, THJ, Bullock, Powell

(05-05-2023, 10:55 PM)Branduil Wrote: A smart team would look for the next Jrue, not overpay for him now that he's washed

(05-05-2023, 10:55 PM)Branduil Wrote: A smart team would look for the next Jrue, not overpay for him now that he's washed

(05-06-2023, 03:02 AM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: And that next Jrue is who?  Really easy to make such statements.

(05-05-2023, 05:12 PM)F Gump Wrote: That's an interesting idea, that PHX and CP would do a waive-and-retire. But if he is waived, I wonder, would he be more likely to want to retire, or to pursue another paycheck in free agency? IOW, isn't there a real chance CP gets waived, but as a PHX "time for a change" decision, with no window dressing of it being a retirement?

That question doesn't really change the result for PHX, of course. Either way, the payroll math changes in their favor.

(An accounting note - a SW of CP would be over 3 years at $5.267M per, which still makes a significant difference).

Followup question - would CP make sense in Dallas for 2 years at full MLE, alongside Luka, if Kyrie was S&T'ed somewhere?

(05-06-2023, 06:54 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: With the CP money dramatically reduced, it isn't hard to design something that keeps Phoenix under $170mm (especially if Kyrie took less than his full max).  There are also fairly benign ways to get Dallas to where they could have the full MLE.  With a beast in the middle, Luka can be anything from 1-4 meaning the MLE could go toward any position...so why not Paul.  Its not like there are a ton of great PG's in free agency.

I'm really interested to see the details of this MLE as a TPE thing.  I can see where such a thing would really help teams thread the needle on staying under the various aprons.  Dallas (Maxi and Bullock) and Phoenix (Shamet) have guys they could make disappear to open up money if it really works like a TPE.  In a thin free agent market, why wouldn't some team want guys like that on a short term deal.  I would think Phoenix could use an additional $10mm under the super tax in the deal we are contemplating much better than spending it on Shamet.

One other thing on this whole Ayton and Kyrie thing.  The original rumor on this was Eric Pincus saying Dallas would pursue Ayton if they retain Kyrie...not for Kyrie.  Sign me up for that one.  I imagine Maxi has to be in the outgoing.  Phoenix needs depth and any draft assets they got from us would probably go to a third team for a real player.  I find it really hard to figure out Ayton's value in the marketplace.  Maxi/THJ/#10?  Maxi/Bullock/McGee/#10?  Could Wood come into play here?

(05-06-2023, 07:14 AM)Mapka Wrote: I don't want to pay that much for Ayton.
We maybe Wood/THJ/#10 for Ayton and their pick?
They have to send something else somewhere too.

(05-06-2023, 07:14 AM)Mapka Wrote: I don't want to pay that much for Ayton.
We maybe Wood/THJ/#10 for Ayton and their pick?
They have to send something else somewhere too.

(05-06-2023, 08:20 AM)omahen Wrote: Phoenix doesn't have a first roung pick this year and can't trade any other first rounder. Everything went for Durant. 

Ayton is having another bad series. I am not really convinced that Phoenix is the one to blame for that. I wonder what his value is around the league. Could a rebuilding team see him as one of key building blocks for future? San Antonio doesn't really have a center yet, Indy wanted to sign him before. Would BKN do something like Claxton, O'Neale and Harris?

Phoenix definitely wants to stay as competitive as possible. I don't think Wood SnT is realistic. I don't think they would be dumping CP3 just to be able to SnT Wood. Maxi instead seems decent. I agree that #10 seems a lot for a player that is on a max contract and not playing near max level. How about if we split that #10 with another team for multiple picks? Utah for example has #16 (would go to Phoenix) and #28 (stays with Mavs). That would seem decent.

(05-06-2023, 01:47 PM)omahen Wrote: How about this trade for Ayton:
Det: #10, CP3
Pho: Bogdanovic, THJ, Bullock (or Maxi), Stewart
Dal: Ayton, Livers (or Hampton)

Phoenix gets depth, two good shooters to surround Durant/Booker and young cheap center all while saving a lot of money.
Detroit replaces their vet to school youngsters and add another high pick while giving up center they don't really need.
Dallas gets Ayton and young wing to play back-up minutes.

(05-06-2023, 02:01 PM)Mapka Wrote: I'd rather get Bog/Steward for us ...

(05-06-2023, 02:06 PM)omahen Wrote: Mavs need wing defenders next to Kyrie and Luka, so Bogi could only be 6th man here. Sort of woulnd't fit as THJ doesn't, despite him being better player. And I am not paying #10 for a player that doesn't fit and young guy which I doubt could anchor Mavs defense.

(05-06-2023, 02:06 PM)omahen Wrote: Mavs need wing defenders next to Kyrie and Luka, so Bogi could only be 6th man here. Sort of woulnd't fit as THJ doesn't, despite him being better player. And I am not paying #10 for a player that doesn't fit and young guy which I doubt could anchor Mavs defense.

(05-06-2023, 02:27 PM)Mapka Wrote: This maks sense, but..
-We don't get any wing defenders in your trade also.
-We pay for the Suns to get the best team
-and deplet our asset for a big gamble.