(05-06-2023, 06:54 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: With the CP money dramatically reduced, it isn't hard to design something that keeps Phoenix under $170mm (especially if Kyrie took less than his full max). There are also fairly benign ways to get Dallas to where they could have the full MLE. With a beast in the middle, Luka can be anything from 1-4 meaning the MLE could go toward any position...so why not Paul. Its not like there are a ton of great PG's in free agency.
I'm really interested to see the details of this MLE as a TPE thing. I can see where such a thing would really help teams thread the needle on staying under the various aprons. Dallas (Maxi and Bullock) and Phoenix (Shamet) have guys they could make disappear to open up money if it really works like a TPE. In a thin free agent market, why wouldn't some team want guys like that on a short term deal. I would think Phoenix could use an additional $10mm under the super tax in the deal we are contemplating much better than spending it on Shamet.
One other thing on this whole Ayton and Kyrie thing. The original rumor on this was Eric Pincus saying Dallas would pursue Ayton if they retain Kyrie...not for Kyrie. Sign me up for that one. I imagine Maxi has to be in the outgoing. Phoenix needs depth and any draft assets they got from us would probably go to a third team for a real player. I find it really hard to figure out Ayton's value in the marketplace. Maxi/THJ/#10? Maxi/Bullock/McGee/#10? Could Wood come into play here?
I don't want to pay that much for Ayton.
We maybe Wood/THJ/#10 for Ayton and their pick?
They have to send something else somewhere too.