Can't see how it's anything but a home run for DAL.\
Of course KZ can get re-injured. But any player can gte hurt.
Otherwise they added a 2nd star to go with their prized rook. Their skills blend, they know and like ach other already. KZ is 23 and Luka 19 or whatever. And they only traded 3 guys not in their plans (they might have re-signed Wes at a mid-level rate), and some future #1's when they expect to be competitive. And they guys they added form NYC can play and fill in even if overpaid. Burke a Barea replacement for this year.
DAL: A+
NYK?
Mills said, "you don't want to commit a max [contract] to a player who clearly says to you he doesn't want to be here."
Uh, why not? Then he's an asset and a trade chip.
And a rehab year isn't easy.
KZ gets on the court and could easily change his mind, enjoy playing with Trier and Knox and Mitch -- guys he's never played with before.
And the Knix new 1st round pick would make a difference as well.
We should have built around KZ, and made him happy.
I don't see KZ coming off a severe injury doing a 1 year $7.5M high risk deal. Lock in a max deal and you have $150M or whatever guaranteed. You take the payday and decide where you want to be later. And Mills' statement seems to confirm what I'm saying.
Why Sell Low on KZ (unsigned, hasn't returned to the court yet), when getting not much at all back? Just cap space. And erratic Smith Jr.
Worth noting that Durant couldn't win with Westbrook and Kyrie having trouble with an absolutely loaded Celt team. Knix are going to be so far below the min salary next year that if we don't add 2 max players, we'll need to give out some inflated 1 year deals just to reach the mandatory floor.
NYK: D -