Should we give Donnie credit?

[SleepingHero]

For the 100th time, Brogdon was traded only after he agreed to 4/$85 with Indiana.  If we are assuming he's a rational human being, that's the highest offer he got.

If you offer him 4/$86 or more, he signs your offer sheet.  Then you wait to see if Mil matches.  It's not like the Mavs did anything with their cap space while they would've waited.  I would've given him 4/$95 and seen how much tax Mil is willing to pay.

I mean that's just not how it works. Why would the Pacers voluntarily give up 3 picks for a free agent they signed, regardless if he was restricted or not?  If what you said is true, and Indiana was the highest offer Brogdon received, then they could've literally done that exact same "wait-and-see" approach plan the Mavs could've hypothetically done, and force MIL to pay the tax.

So if we're rational human beings, what most likely happened was Brogdon went out and fielded offers. He chose the highest one he got, and went back to Milwaukee. MIL then went to the Pacers and said if you want us to not match the offer sheet, then make it a sign and trade and give us assets. And because the Pacers really wanted Brogdon instead of making MIL pay tax (because that doesn't make their team better) they paid the price. 

Which means once again the Mavs wouldn't have been able to sign Brogdon.