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

[SleepingHero]

I think many of us would be surprised at how popular of a target Powell would be in FA...south of a certain dollar amount, obviously. I'd be pretty shocked if he didn't make it onto a number of teams' short lists for MLE targets.

I wouldn't be so sure. While Powell is definitely affecting winning here and he's been an invaluable piece due to his sheer effort, there is a clear gradation in the league. The MLE will be close to 12 mil. 

First you got your superstars (North of $180 mil w/an average AAV of $40 mil a year).
Jokic, Embiid, Towns, Gobert, and Davis.

Then a slight drop off to the all-star caliber guys ($120-160mil)
Ayton, Bam, Vucevic, Allen.  

Then you have everyone else.

Powell is currently making $11 mil. Some guys that are making more than him:
Nurkic (17.5)
Adams (17.5)
Valanciunas (15)
Mitchell Robinson (15)
Gafford (13)
WCJr (12.5)
Timelord (12)


I don't think any NBA team will be giving Powell a raise to bring him close to the Nurkic/Adams/Valanciunas level nor is he worth that. 11 mil is already on the high end for Powell, especially when you got guys like Zubac, Hartenstein, Theis, Claxton, and Looney all making significantly less than him and have all shown to be impactful centers on winning teams. 

I know you aren't making an emphatic statement that Powell is going to be money whipped, but I just can't see the team this summer throwing him more than what he's already getting (which is already an overpay). Further will Powell go out of his way to leave the one place he's excelled at?

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