05-19-2023, 11:49 AM
(05-19-2023, 10:29 AM)Mavs2021 Wrote: Here is the thing about European professional athletes. They have a different mindset than Americans. They don´t care about the GM/sporting director position. They want to show up to work and have a good team. If they don´t, they leave. But they are not going to make demands. So the Mavs are under less pressure than they always pretend to be.
Luka doesn´t care whether you sign this guy or that guy. All he cares about is that he is surrounded by good players within the next 12 months. There is no need to rush into dumb deals this summer. The arguments to wait at least until the TDL are so many.
1. Don´t act desperate.
2. Don´t be the first team to define the new CBA.
3. Don´t commit 100% to the Irving experience by getting another veteran immediately. If Doncic/Kyrie does not work, then giving up the 10th pick for Capela means you are completely screwed.
4. In six months Bertans/THJ/McGee are closer to expiring and so are some desirable players. Reduced costs.
5. In-season trades seem more likely due to more difficult S&T rules.
Vucevic for Wood. I think the players and teams will be interested. The players market will be cold. Teams cap room will be non-existent. All parties can talk themselves into this one. Sign Paul Reed. Draft #10. Find another defensive guard for the minimum Schröeder, DSJ, Milton or Carter in free agency. Add two undrafted rookie wings and then you play the waiting game until the TDL. You can still throw 2027 unprotected at the Hawks for Capela. Maybe Vucevic plus Reed/Kleber/Hendricks works like a charm and you can throw it at an elite wing defender instead.
The panic trade involving THJ, Bertans and/or Bullock this summer is what really worries me. Sure, if you find the right deal, make it. But I worry they won't be patient. I could see at the trade deadline or next offseason, that these can be valuable. Bullock is expiring. Bertans has 5 million guaranteed the following year. THJ is in the last year of his contract at 16 million next year. I think all could be valuable additions with a future first. Right now, that may not be very valuable. The teams would not be getting immediate cap relief and only receiving a future first 2-3 years down the road. That current GM may not even be there by then.
So in the perfect world, I agree with your thoughts. Go for solid doubles with the draft pick and MLE...sure there are risks of missing on the draft pick. Look for a rehab project or hidden asset...I could name 5-10 every year who sign for near minimum and are solid contributers on good teams. And try to uncover another long term asset by buying a pick or an undrafted guy.