2019-2020 Mavs Trade Discussion + Salary Chart

[farhan583]

Wouldn't doubt that, except I've been saying it to him periodically.

It's kind of a compliment that you get mistaken for Dan :-)

Been traveling and between meetings, dinners and flights, haven't been able to catch up.  1. Thanks 15th.  That's very kind.  2.  IGT is correct.  In recent weeks he's been the main one championing this thought.  It isn't exactly an original thought on any of our parts and I probably did say something similar to BD41.  But, IGT has said it multiple times in recent weeks.  OK, enough of that.

I have a theory about Minnesota.  BTW, Happy 30th Birthday Gorgui Dieng.  The TWolves did the Atlanta trade in a way that turned a PG into a SG, saved them a little money and created an additional roster spot.  The question is why and why now.  Clearly they want Russell.  So, did Teague/Graham for Crabbe advance their cause in any way?

I think Lee for Dieng helps the goals of both Dallas and Minnesota.  The TWolves save money now and clear space in the summer with Lee's expiring contract.  Dallas gets a useful backup big who can hit a 3, play good D and set good screens.  He's a fantastic fit here and provides KP injury insurance.  He may not be the absolutely best way to use Lee.  So, Dallas might insist on adding more pieces to any deal.  We all assume Dallas wants RoCo.  But he plays a lot of PF and we don't have the minutes at C/PF for RoCo, KP, Powell, Maxi and Dieng.  Roco also pushes additional salary into 2021 (which might not be ideal for Dallas).  I think RoCo fits much better with GS.  I think Wright would be very good in the Livingston role and Jackson's drive and floater game would play well with Golden State's spacing.  So, I'm giving RoCo to GS along with Wright and Jackson to help Minnesota land Russell.

The question is what about Dallas.  I'm giving Culver to Dallas.  He can start out as the SF off the bench (joining Brunson, Seth, Maxi and Dieng).  But, he has much more upside than Wright or Jackson.  Getting him is a good move for the present, but might be a great move for the future.  Crabbe taking the place of Culver for the rest of the season makes more sense than retaining Teague (GS had no use for Teague).  Here is what I think is interesting.  If GS got a TPE for Graham, I think there is a deal out there that gets both GS and Minnesota just under the LT line, uses the extra salary slot Minnesota created and accomplishes their dual goal of getting Russell while still having some space this summer.

Dallas ends up with Dieng/Culver (I'm thrilled)

GS ends up with Wright (takes the Livingston role), RoCo (value is obvious) and Jackson.  I think that's a good haul for their Russell rental.

Minnesota ends up with Russell, Lee and a couple of minor contracts from GS. 

The trade checkers aren't helpful here, but I think it has to be two smaller contracts to make the deal work.  One fits into the Graham TPE and the other has to be combined with Lee and Russell.  The size is limited because Minnesota can only take back $41.78 million and Russell and Lee make $40,044,000 of that.  If Burks and Robinson go to Minnesota, the deal is legal and both teams get under the tax.  Now, suddenly the Teague deal makes sense in terms of Crabbe's position (replacing Culver), the money and the need for an extra roster spot.

You heard it here first  .

I like the thought of this trade but I feel Culver is a fellow untouchable along with KAT.  He's been coming on strong as of late and Minny isn't looking to dump a prime prospect that they just drafted.  It would be like someone proposing us trade DSJ halfway through his rookie season for cap relief.  We LOVED DSJ that rookie season.