04-17-2026, 07:13 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-17-2026, 07:14 PM by RasheedsBigWhiteSpot.)
(04-17-2026, 02:55 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: My assumption is OKC will definitely retain Dort. They don´t have another big wing defender like him. Once a defender has established he can foul whichever way he wants without getting called for it, he becomes absolutely invaluable to his team. More torn on Hartenstein. They have Chet. They have Jaylin Williams. There is a chance they´ll try to replace his minutes on the cheap. He still started 46 games and played 26 MPG. He´s also an injury protection insurance, so Chet does not have to bang with the big boys during the regular season.
To me the odd man out is Caruso. 60/3 is a huge deal for a situational bench player on 18 MPG, 6/2/2, shooting 42/29/80. Yes his defense is elite, but Wallace has basically taken his spot with McCain, Mitchell and Joe stepping in on the cheap. Caruso will be our chance to pounce on OKC with the big TPE. I think they´ll use one of their 1st round picks to dump Caruso. We are in rebuilding mode, our cap is healthy, we need an elite defender. I think it makes a ton of sense.
The most "Thunder" outcome would be them landing a top 3 pick, drafting AJ/Boozer and then trading Chet or JW and their expensive contract for 15,000 more #1's. They'd then be able to keep their depth.
If there's a lottery outcome that positions the Mavs to deal with OKC, I'd be interested in Cason Wallace. Wallace is soon to be due an extension. This begs the question: Would either team rather have Wallace on an extension or Ladarious Philon on a rookie deal?