Fuck that.
Any deal starts with Paul for Randle. They choose between Payton or Smith. The take Ellington and either keep him or pay the mil to cut him loose. If they want to throw in a pick, thanks. We sure as hell aren’t.
24-26 mil guaranteed 31-33 if the keep Wayne this year vs. Paul’s 38, 41, and 44. That’s all the incentive they need. In fact, they’ll need to give us their first rounder for the 2nd rounder we currently hold.
Mitch Taj
Portis
Knox Iggy
RJ Bullock
Paul Frank (Payton or Smith)
That’s ten. Draft three, or consolidate picks to add 1 or 2 higher up the chain. That’s 11-13 on board before free agency and training camp. Make QOs for Harkless, Dotson, and Trier. You can always pull those offers back, if you need the room or if one or more get an offer too high to match.
In getting Paul for Randle, Ellington, and Smith we’d only be using 5 mil of our cap space, 3 if you substitute Payton for Smith.
They’d save 12-14 mil right away and 41, and 44 in the following years, relying on Shroder, SGA and Smith or Payton to pilot their team.