MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[mvossman]

It could also go the other way and he’s a playoff hero (even as a bench player).  He’ll likely have to take no more than the TP-MLE if he wants to stay.  But as a bench guy with a questionable outside shot, that is probably close to his value.  His per game numbers are up a bit, but that’s strictly minutes (which may change soon).  He is exactly who he’s always been on a per minute basis and that player had to take a minimum last summer.

If he has a heroic playoff run, he might could get the room MLE or part of the full MLE from a lesser team.  So, there is a chance he’s leaving a million or two on the table to stay here.  But, as you point out, it might not take close to that.  

In my mind, we are sitting about $700k into the tax next season with 13 players including our second rounder.  We’ll have a minimum (maybe Morris, maybe Lawson) and we’ll have the TPMLE.  The combination will take us right to the first apron, but the main thing we lose there is the ability to take on a trade spread.  You have the same situation if you are sitting a hair under the first apron as the ability to take on extra salary in a trade depends on where you are relative to the apron ‘after’ the trade.  

I think you bring back the band.  I want to see Green and PJ as our 4th/5th guys as Lively grows in year two.  We have a strong and diverse bench in Gafford, Maxi, DJJ, THJ and Exum (or Hardy if Exum is hurt).  I’d prefer to take some time and see what we actually need as this is almost a new team between injuries and trades.  We’ve never seen this combo of players and I’m not sure Green or PJ will be easy to upgrade.  I also like THJ much better with some D and some size around him.  I think our biggest weakness is dealing with Exum’s injuries and Kyrie’s age.  Hayes isn’t some superstar waiting to be discovered.  But, he can give us some minutes of ball handling and size.  If he can be a little better than Frank as a 15th guy, it might be worth giving him some of our remaining MLE on a two year with a TO on the second so we’d have a path to keeping him and DJJ this summer.

Think its kind of early to make any "running it back" assessments.  It will be very interesting to see how Green and PJ progress throughout the rest of the season and playoffs.  With two picks and several good contracts, we will have a lot of options in the offseason.