01-05-2021, 03:29 PM
(01-05-2021, 09:40 AM)omahen Wrote: Best way to get an Oladipo caliber of expiring player is a TDL trade, IMHO. Indiana can't assume they will get anything for him in the summer, just like Boston didn't get anything for Hayward.
Price at TDL can't be high for a half year rental. I guess a package of (expiring) salary filler, young player and FRP should be more than enough. A lot of contenders have a hard time for that salary filler. Having his bird rights would help a lot in retaining him, as you can offer him a five year contract while everyone else can go just with four years - if my memory is correct.
"Price at TDL can't be high for a half year rental."
The price can be as high as Indy wants it to be. It's said that their price started high and has remained high. The main question with VO had been his health and ability going forward, and it looks like those questions have now been answered.
Indy is a well-managed franchise, and they don't tend to make panic moves (remember Paul George?), so it feels unlikely they will fail to extract full value if they trade him.
You are right that there's going to be a meaningful advantage in having Oladipo's Bird rights, if you want VO long term. But Indy knows that too. That's why their price has stayed high until someone meets it.
One other factor is in play for them. The trade deadline isn't a hard deadline for them - but it is for Dallas, and perhaps for others as well.
Indy still has other choices, and they know that. Turning down all offers still leaves them options of summer sign-and-trade from teams without cap room (like Miami, for instance), or even keeping him. Plus, there's value to them in playing out the season with VO in the lineup, unless they are wowed.
On the other hand, if Dallas wants him, they have to pay what it takes to get him with Bird rights by the deadline. Waiting until the summer to carve out enough cap room, or to do a sign-and-trade with talent going to the Pacers, would ultimately be even more expensive.
Any way they go, however, it won't be inexpensive. It may be more than the Mavs can swing.