(09-01-2026, 11:42 AM)omahen Wrote: But if the deal would have more draft compensation included, than the author would only look at Mavs needsPJs salary severly impacts the future flexibility of any team trading for him. In Lakers case specifically, they realistically lose the option to use MLE next season plus all the assets for him.
Similar players to PJ like Hachimura or Collins, signed for considerably less money this season. Lower deals both in terms of per and total money. Aldama could be considered a similar player than PJ in terms of contribution. Mavs paid AJ Johnson (no value really) a fake first and two seconds for him - 3 SRPs in total. Watson, who is considerably younger with more upside potential, went for 1 FRP and 1 SRP. Lu Dort (arguably better player) went for 3 SRPs.
It is possible that sometimes there is simply no middle ground and player has more value to a team he is on.
How? Where is the value for Dallas in that deal? There is no point in moving a starting caliber player for a distant swap that might never even materialize. The 2nd is basically the cost to create an extra roster spot.
I simply see an unfair deal that heavily favors only one of the parties involved.
Well, Lakers can't have their cake and eat it. It's not Mavs business if they are left with almost no asset, it doesn't mean Mavs are required to gift them a starting caliber player for free.
I have both Hachi and Collins as situational starters on a contender team, PJ proved in the PO to be a better player overall than both of them. I honestly don't get the comparisons; Same for Aldama; Watson is also way less proven than PJ and he went for an unprotected 1st and a usefull expiring rotational player, ofc PJ value isn't that high at all at the moment; I honestly don't think there is so much difference between Dort and PJ as players, it depends on what teams actually need, and OKC had to move him in order to stay out of the 2nd apron and they still got the equivalent value of a late 1st. Mavs are in no hurry to move him for financial reasons.