MAVS hire Masai Ujiri as new team President

[Chicagojk]

Like "21", I kind of wonder if Riccardi was read in or if there was a sudden change in what Dumont was communicating to him (recall the public stance was "Patrick wants to keep AD") or if that public stance was just misdirection all along.  As you say, we will probably never know.

More importantly, to carry this theory out even more (since we don't have that much else to do), what was the end-game of the decision to trade AD for flexibility.  I've assumed any new GM would take their time evaluating before making any big move.  Maybe that evaluating has been going on for months.  I'm seeing some clickbait pieces on YouTube trying to promote a Giannis to Dallas narrative.  I've largely ignored them based on my theory above.  Now I'm not so sure.

Admittedly, other teams have more assets than Dallas.  So, this is 100% dependent on Giannis refusing to extend this summer and demanding a trade to a specific location...Dallas.  But, Masai has been after him for years and apparently has a relationship.  There is also the Kidd relationship.  Cooper and Kyrie make fantastic running mates and the potential of being reunited with old friend Middleton might be an underappreciated strategic asset.  The trade of AD put us so far under the tax that we can take on the full 125% + $250k trade spread and still have room.  

There are multiple 3 player combos that work for the outgoing salary as long as PJ is involved.  It can include Gafford or Klay along with Martin.  Naji can be substituted if it is Klay instead of Gafford going with PJ.  It could also be PJ along with Gafford and Klay.  I would assume players like Gafford or Klay would likely end up on a third team with draft assets and expiring filler flowing back to Milwaukee.  Obviously the biggest outgoing asset would be out 2026 Lottery pick.  The higher the better, but how high is too high that you'd rather just have the pick?  

Trading using the 125% rule would hard cap us at the first apron.  Depending on the package, we'd almost assuredly be taxpayers again...but Dumond seems to have a pretty open checkbook.  Anyway, not the most likely thing in the world, but the conversation about Masai knowing he was coming for several months and maybe even advising on the AD trade got me to thinking....

I don't see it happening this year and it can be argued it would be the wrong direction regardless.   Next year?   As of now, even if just a rental, I think teams would beat any realistic Dallas offer.   Giannis is a weird bird.   Whether he stays in Mil or if he doesn't extend if/when he is traded, could he enter FA next season?   If so, could Dallas clear the room needed?   

Dallas hitting their pick this year opens up so many directions.   Going all in with a Giannis move is something would probably would not consider.  

Personally I think Giannis tries to direct himself to Miami and pushes others away.  We could be in a staring battle though where Miami doesn't have the best offer and Boston jumps in late and leaves Miami at the altar again.   Charlotte is a sneaky name too, but I don't think they make that big move now.