Trade & FA 2023-24: Sexton On the Market? | ORL Likes Hartenstein?

[mvossman]

This to the point. Just looking at this playoffs and Mavs bench contracts above 10 mil, here is my opinion on the order of importance (from least to most important):
1. THJ - getting less and less minutes. Can only be positive on a great defensive team that needs shooting. Lets not forget, he is not even an elite shooter as he is 35 % from three for the season and 36 % for career. He only provides volume at mediocre accuracy. He is over 30 and he is what he is. My opinion is firm, Mavs would have to pay an asset to someone taking most (or all) of his salary into cap-space. 
2.  Maxi - he is great when available, but unfortunately that is very rare. He played in 37 games last season and in 43 games this one while also missing more than half of playoffs at this point. If someone is willing to bet on him and pay something, I would consider moving him. Its not like Mavs are not surviving without him. Bring a low cost replacement or give his minutes to Omax.
3. Green - young and perhaps still has upside. Current production probably doesn't match his new contract, but someone could see an upside for that to change and pay assets for him. 
4. Gafford - plays considerable and stable role. In principle back-up centres (I would assume he might become a back-up next season already) can be get for low money, but his fit has been so great it would really have to be a great opportunity to consider moving him. If there is a FA centre willing to go to Mavs for far less money than Gafford, why wouldn't the team looking at Gafford just sign that centre instead of trading for Gafford? 

Under assumption that DJJ wants more than tax MLE but not more than the full MLE, my offseason plan would be to check the market if there is anyone willing to pay assets for Maxi or Green (I would also check that for THJ, but I have no hope) to take them into capspace. If not, I am paying someone to take most (or all) of THJ contract into capspace or any combination of THJ/Green/Maxi for a good rotation player saving 10 mil in the process.

The goal is to send out a contract into cap space (you can't generate 10 mil in a salary matching deal), which means you are very likely dealing with a rebuilding team.  Hard to see any reason why a rebuilding team would have interest in Maxi, especially since he is not expiring.  Just don't see Maxi outgoing making any sense.  Green would be a real possibility.  You might even be able to get an asset back for Green (but I don't think it would be a first).  Then maybe you trade Timmy (plus that asset and maybe 25) for an upgrade to replace Green.