ROSTER TALK: Mavs favs for Vogel if no HC job exists. Kyrie handshake deal?

[KillerLeft]

D-Lo for Hardaway/McGee?

Sure I'd do that deal. And D-Lo might only be a rental.

But I doubt Minny would. I suspect they would hope to find someone to offer "expiring plus a pick" and this isn't giving them any of that. What will be interesting is what happens if they still have him when his contract expires, and then what do they do.

You might be absolutely right. 

Let me offer my (wishful thinking) devil's advocate bit. 

He's expiring, likely never wanted to be there in the first place (even I have enough options in my career to avoid living in Minnesota) and will very likely not be back. Maybe they believe they can get the off-ball spacing benefit he provides (while losing some of the on-ball agency) back via Hardaway on at a significantly lower price, and honestly, they might even view acquiring a player with some experience and a little name recognition who's locked in on a three year deal as a positive, even. If I think super wishfully I can even talk myself into the idea that they might think his well-known locker room positivity and professionalism are plusses. 

TL;DR - yes, you're probably correct that this exact deal wouldn't fly, and it would require enough to make it more painful from our perspective, BUT, I do think Russell is getting traded at the deadline (especially now that I know he's expiring) and I doubt there will be a huge bidding war for him. Personally, I think I can imagine it being in the Mavs' wheelhouse if they're interested. I would be.

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What will be interesting is what happens if they still have him when his contract expires, and then what do they do.

It's very likely I'll still be onboard with him as a target if/when this point is reached, depending on what occurs between now and then.