05-29-2023, 12:01 PM
(05-28-2023, 01:10 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Maybe something more simple (leaving out Rui avoids BYC and hard cap for Phoenix). BTW, I don’t think we have to accommodate Kyrie’s max in a deal with LA. They can’t get there through cap room and $46.9mm is just a killer to their ability to fill the roster and stay under the apron. Trade matching is one issue in setting his number. But, paying who they want to keep and using their exception are also factors.
Phoenix Out: Ayton (32.4) Phoenix In: Beasley, Bamba and Reggie (36.5)
LA Out: Beasley, Vandy, Bamba (31.4). LA In: Kyrie (up to 39.35)
Dallas Out: Kyrie, Reggie (up to 49.8). Dallas In: Ayton, Vandy (37.1)
Dallas is probably owed some draft compensation here. If THJ needs to be in instead of Reggie, I suspect Shamet comes to Dallas. So, Phoenix gets Beasley, Bamba and THJ (44.7) for Ayton and Shamet (42.7). Dallas gets Ayton, Shamet and Vandy (47.3) for Kyrie and THJ (up to 57.2). Kyrie’s number doesn’t change because the LA outgoing didn’t change.
I think Ayton would be a poor fit here. I also think he's a terrible contract. He doesn't defend well at the rim. He doesn't space the floor. He's a big who doesn't draw fouls (shoots 3 FT per game). He has serious effort issues. He couldn't get along with Monty Williams- a good coach who his players generally like. I can't imagine him suddenly getting along better with coach Kidd who is both malignant and incompetent.
Ayton has the ability to be a top 30 player but is nowhere near that level currently. I believe he's currently a really bad contract who was paid based on potential improvement. I don't think he showed any improvement this most recent season.
Not only he Kyrie Irving a vastly superior player to Ayton but Porzingis is much better as well.
I think we'd be better off letting Kyrie Irving walk off to the Lakers than taking Deandre Ayton's contract on. There are not many competitive teams with significant cap space this summer. I believe we could sign a couple quality role players via free agency should Kyrie Irving go elsewhere.
I think our best option though is clearly keeping Kyrie Irving on the Mavericks.