(04-18-2024, 03:02 AM)F Gump Wrote: I don't think the KT thing is going anywhere anyhow.
But if KT stays in GS, and the Mavs can't find the right swap using THJ, should they just give him away to someone, like you assert would be easy? Doing so would open that bigger MLE which then can give them opportunity to pay DJJ a bigger number, and it would also open up minutes in the rotation, and it would also make the Mavs payroll situation more flexible.
Interesting thought and probably a very complex decision. Many things to take into account. First of all of everything of course depends how well Mavs do in the playoffs. If they are great, not much need to improve and this kind of scenario makes a lot of sense. However, if serious weaknesses would be exposed, situation is much different. Also, playoff performance will determine if DJJ is really worth more than tax MLE.
But lets assume some holes are exposed in the playoffs in a sense, that Mavs need to further improve to become a serious contender. In that case I believe that if we are looking for an upgrade at the spot currently occupied by DJJ, it wouldn't be that much important to keep him. It would be nice to have him, but I wouldn't go for more than tax MLE. Exum is ideal as the back-up at the position. I don't think we need to invest in THJ replacement. In ideal world we need a two way guy at the position. New guy and Exum will likely take most of the available minutes.
Staying on lower salaries gives us a bit more flexibility regarding SnT possibilities or taking more salary back in a trade. On the other hand, THJ contract is ideal to use in a trade. If we lose that option, any other trade would mean involving probably more than one of our core contracts to construct a meaningful trade.
To summarize my thoughts. If we are mostly looking to run it back, I would be open to just "dump" THJ to get more flexibility for the future when Exum and rookies will need higher salaries. However, if we are looking to upgrade the position, than I would prefer to look for a trade using THJ contract (and whatever assets needed).
Edit: "dumping" THJ to a cap space team would likely require an asset fee. It doesn't seem like he has much of a value around the league and teams with cap space are usually selling that cap space. So this is a move I only use when needed to get the one right player. Perhaps, playoffs will show, that right player is DJJ. Perhaps it is a trade for someone where his team doesn't want salary back. I am not convinced Klay is that right player.