05-04-2023, 07:48 AM
(05-01-2023, 11:14 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: Mavs and Atl need a shakeup in the worst way. Okongwu needs to finally be the undisputed starter. Collins needs a change in scenery. THJ needs a new team as does Bullock. This trade happens this season before the draft.
Atl out: Collins/Capela
Mavs out: Maxi/Bullock/THJ
I was thinking through the Giannis news (PO is 25/26 season) and the idea that Cuban is somehow going to take advantage of teams that are close to the second apron (ignoring of course that we are one of those teams). Atlanta is also one of those teams. They are already at $170mm without the money for their pick in 23/24. It doesn't get any better from there as Murray, Okongwu and Bey all have to be paid a year from now. So, Atlanta could certainly stand to get off of some money next season (and therefore would value deals that expire after this season).
If Dallas is trying to be a player for Giannis, they have to position themselves in a way that allows them to go for him in free agency in the summer of 2025 and a trade the summer or TDL before that. Capela is really the only Atlanta player who fits the mold. Add him to the mix and you have Capela, McGee and THJ all expiring after the 24/25 season. So, they both create space the summer of 25 or can be used in trade as expiring deals during the 24/25 season.
So, I tend to agree Atlanta needs to do something and the obvious priority for Dallas is Capela. But, I tend to disagree that Atlanta wants anything to do with THJ and doubt Dallas wants anything to do with Collins. To me, the logical deal is Reggie/McGee and #10 for Capela and #15. It probably fits the needs of both teams financially and on the court. I'm envisioning this being done at the draft.
Capela is the instant and obvious starter at C, relieving the need there. At that point, 15 can be used for the BPA. This pulls Atlanta under the first apron by a few dollars, but moves Dallas to within $3mm of the second apron. We'd have to do something else to be able to use even the TP MLE (all assumes Kyrie takes his full max).