05-28-2023, 05:03 PM
(05-24-2023, 04:38 PM)F Gump Wrote: One significant value of max players is being able to sign a player who is worth more than max, but be able to get a bargain at the max.
But when considering Kyrie, I don't think he is going to be worth 47M and I think 40M is maybe even a bit high. Age, outside issues, track record of team distractions, injury potential, size, lack of defense, the hard cap, all of those objectively limit his relative value. I'd really peg his worth as low-to-mid 30s, less than Luka but still worth a sizable salary.
Because of all that, I find it interesting how the calls to pay the max to Kyrie don't talk about his actual worth. They are just "Pay him as much as the league allows, because I'm scared he might leave [not "because he's certainly worth it"]." And I wonder which (if any) other teams would really actually pay him the max. Are we again eagerly cheering for the Mavs to do what they have always been so good (or bad) at, which is bidding against themselves?
And assuming that if you even converse with him about a number lower than 47M, he'll instantly bolt -- really? To a Lakers team that will offer him 30M or so? That makes no sense.
I think the conversation with him about a lower number is not only about the contract, but is also an opportunity to weigh his "buy in." I think the result would be positive, but you can't get him on board unless you have the conversation. And if he does gets miffed, just from the asking, because you're trying to build a winner and asking him to participate in a reasonable way, it's better to know that before you sign him than after.
Kai made almost 39 mil this year so I think starting at 40 is reasonable for his ability. I think they will give him a big deal that lines up with Luka's and if he wants to take a huge pay cut to go to the Lakers so be it. I don't think he will, this is probably his last best chance to get one more huge contract.
There are other guards making huge money that aren't as good as Kai so its not unreasonable.