2019-2020 Mavs Trade Discussion + Salary Chart

[Scott41theMavs]

Seems a little too good to be true which makes me think Dallas isn't giving up enough.

I think longer term I'd rather have Culver than RoCo and I'm certainly pleased all the puzzle pieces fit so well together while helping to make sense of the Teague trade. But, I can be as big of a homer as anyone. So, let's break it down by team:

GS gives up Russell and gets 3 good and useful players in RoCo, Wright and Jackson. RoCo starts and Wright can play next to Curry or Thompson. He's a nice defensive fit there who isn't terrible at the offensive end either. Jackson helps to make all of the salary work, but is probably behind RoCo and Lee at SF. I think GS does this deal. They don't need Russell to be a star when Curry and Thompson return. They need people to replace Livingston and Iggy at reasonable cost for the rest of their "window". This deal does that.

I don't think we have to spend much time on Dallas if people think the incoming is too rich. I will reiterate that very few teams will take on Dieng at this time and Dieng stands in the way of any deal for Russell whether now or in the summer. So, if Russell is a priority, then Minnesota has to find a third team and it will cost them something significant to take on two years of Dieng. BTW, in terms of 2021, Dallas saves $8.5mm for Wright and $12mm in cap hold for Jackson and takes on $6.4mm for Culver. Even if you believe they would walk away from Jackson, this gets us two years of improved interior D from Dieng while adding $2mm to our 2021 cap space. That projects to about $60 million minus our 2020 draft pick with THJ and Dieng FA's that summer.

I think the real question here is whether Minnesota gives up RoCo and Culver in a deal for Russell. I think there is pressure to keep Towns happy and it may take Culver too long to be much of a factor there. It isn't like he's a sure-fire star. But, Russell is a near-star and is reportedly close to Towns. Minnesota would be locked into Russell/Towns and Wiggins for a while. They will get another lottery pick this summer. They will also be able to use the Full MLE to buy some defensive help while staying well below the LT next season. I've purposely left picks out of this because I don't really know who should be getting what here (I think this fits well with the priorities of all three teams). But, if you said Dallas has to give Minnesota the GS#2 (or swap that pick for Minnesota's #2 a few picks later) I'm fine with that. I think the Dallas pick at 20 or so will make the NBA club and any 2nds will be playing in Frisco.

While the idea of a trade with Minnie not bringing back RoCo makes me throw up in my mouth a little, the idea of bringing in a potential blue-chipper is a very clever use of assets, and I see your thinking on Dieng. I just can't see the Mavs at this point making a move for a young player as opposed to 25-30 aged vets who move up our time line.

I would be open to that deal for the Mavs IF we use our MLE well this summer (another 8-man rotation guy).