(05-21-2023, 06:29 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: 1 The 3/1 makes sense from Kyrie's side and it is a quote from an agent saying it is his understanding. A four year extension was all he could have gotten in the talks with Brooklyn, and I'm hoping the starting point for Dallas in their 'gentlemen's agreement' at the TDL is improving on the Brooklyn offer. Brooklyn wanted performance stipulations that would have cost Kyrie money if he didn't meet certain criteria. So, the 'Max' part (I'm hoping) could mean without stipulations for the entirety of the amount he agrees to. as opposed to the full max starting at $46.9mm. An extra $7mm or so (with Kyrie getting Luka money) would really help.
2 It appears the Ayton talk isn't as well sourced as the Kyrie part. It is more of an "I'm hearing there is interest" deal, but once he gets past that, the package part is all speculation. Recall that the son of Hardaway's agent is now in the Phoenix front office.
3 In a deal done in June, THJ/McGee covers the needed salary. If #10 is also involved, it seems it should go to a third party to bring Phoenix a center. If #10 has to go out, I'd rather it end up in Indy with the Pacers also taking McGee. Turner and THJ go to Phoenix. I'd love for Dallas to then get back something from among 26, 29 and 32.
I like your thinking and your analysis of what to trust is the same I was thinking, but well outlined. Thanks.
1 I too think that the Mavs should have a reasonable shot on Kyrie contract at "same as Luka" rather than the max. That's so reasonable. The fact that the new CBA is bringing essentially a hard cap is a non-threatening way to push back on a full max demand, since reasonable salaries are to Kyrie's advantage IF he wants to play on a team that can contend. Teams with other max-salary talent will ALL face the same hard cap issues (and subsequent contract pricing) when considering another over-$40M deal, so he will face the same issue there as well. The days of "every player that's good gets a max contract" should be over.
2 Yeah. Saw that too. You nailed it.
3 FWIW, there is no timing in which THJ+McGee matches Ayton. But I would not offer 10 anyhow -- I'm not desperate for Ayton and that huge deal. IMO to be getting him at something approaching fair value, Ayton should be priced like KP was, but we'll see what happens. (Not sure but what KP will end up being the much better value to have, ironically, because Ayton's attitude and work ethic are legit question marks that seem bigger to me than KP's injury issues.)
I still hold out hope that 10 - if there's not someone they really reaaaaalllllllllyyyyy like there when it's time to pick - can turn into a pair of picks (with one who gets them Lively) and perhaps a swap of players too.