02-05-2026, 01:17 PM
(02-05-2026, 08:02 AM)Smitty Wrote: I woke up to the Kuminga to ATL news and can't help but wonder what their plan is at the Wing. Risacher was already getting pinched for minutes and now they add Kuminga to the list. Hmm... What about a 3-team deal that combines all the rumors.
ATL: Gafford
DET: Naji, SRP (ATL)
DAL: Kuminga, Saric, FRP (DET)
The financials are interesting in that this adds $3.6M to DET payroll. It adds $5.8M to DAL. It keeps DET ~$2M under the tax. It keeps the Mavs ~$1.6M under.
All of this depends on how much you like Kuminga. I'm not a believer, but maybe the Mavs are. He fits the 'young guy and a pick' for the combo of Gafford+Naji.
The $$ fits, but I don't like the return for Gaff and Naji. Giving up both, but only getting one single 1st that's likely in the late 20s (another pick not much better than a 2nd).
I again think the Mavs priority needs to be scouting and evaluation. Their assets to work with will be lows 1sts, and 2nds. They need to have the skills to figure out who the hidden gems will be (rather than more Omax, Green, Hardy junk). Now that the Buss family is out of Lakers, I wonder if the son who was handling their 2nd round might be interested to show his skills for another team?