[purplefrog]

I have decided to be optimistic because pessimism leads to depression and cynicism. Neither is very much fun. Also, being "realistic" is akin to being pessimistic these days, so I've decided "the glass is half full". Why not? It feels a lot better and a day without delusion is like a day without sunshine. It's pretty dark. So, if the consensus is to not give CP a max contract because he is not worth it, then perhaps the Mavs can get creative with a contract that gives him a raise for next year and a bit of security over the next three years. For example, offer him a contract that begins at $18M or $20M, and then a player option for a second year. Or perhaps even two consecutive player option years. If someone offers him a max contract then bye bye Chandler. Anything less than a max, then the Mavs offer looks pretty good because it will give him a chance to have a great injury free year and then go back on the market when the salary cap significantly increases. This is a better option for him than opting in, because he makes $2-4M more for 2016-2017 and, if he proves to be injury prone, then he has some security for a couple of years. The Mavs win in the sense that they are able to shave a couple or $3M off a max contract and they make no more than a 3-yr commitment to CP, which will get them through the Dirk years and perhaps give them a shot at signing Conley and/or Whiteside (because CP is part of the package).