06-28-2021, 07:07 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2021, 07:18 AM by DanSchwartzgan.)
(06-27-2021, 08:35 PM)Tyler Wrote: I'm sorta fascinated that KP is almost exactly at that minimum amount you cite to maximize cap savings. If Portland prefers another player to KP while stacking the cash, they could always flip him in a separate step-down trade that brings back about $25.3mm. Maybe they get another point guard that way. Come to think of it, Charlotte has a surplus and has been rumored to be interested in Porzingis.
Even better, they have space. I think Charlotte meets all the criteria of a third team. 1. They need a center. 2. They have a clean 2023 pick. 3. They have excess at PG and Rozier is on his final year. 4. They have cap room.
Charlotte has $20mm in space if you assume they keep the hold on Graham and the other logical options on their roster. I can use almost all of that up by sending KP and JRich for expiring Rozier, PJ Washington and one other minor contract (I like Duffy client Jalen McDaniels). They also send out the 2023 in a way that assures Dallas of having a pick that year.
Portland could use Rozier in a backcourt rotation with McCollum and Simons. PJ Washington fits well in a front court rotation with Nurkic and Covington and there is room in this deal to move on from Derrick Jones Jr., Sign Norman Powell in the $18-$20mm range and still have $8-$10mm in cap space. Portland has expiring and tradeable vets in Nurkic, Rozier and Covington if they decide to tear it down at the deadline. Or, they can retain those guys and try to be 6th-8th seed in the west. Washington and the picks provide the "hope for the future" element that is needed in a deal like this. This is three picks, a useful but expiring PG and a young PF with upside in Washington and Milwaukee. Jrue cost Milwaukee RJ Hampton, two picks, George Hill and Bledsoe. This isn't that far off.
Dallas obviously ends up with Lillard, the DJJr. salary dump for a year and Jalen McDaniels to be a backup forward. We stay over the cap and retain THJ, WCS and can use the MLE.