Mullin's current smokescreen

Our Window is very narrow, indeed perhaps only another couple weeks.

A few factors are coalescing, and should be crystal clear in 14 days. Apologies to those who might think this diary "repeats" too much information, but the pieces fit in a way I haven't read here on GSoM or anywhere else yet.

Briefly, it's now very clear to most of us that BWright is part of a larger strategy in a potential trade (to get KG?), and/or be part of a future GS core of young, talented players. He can be used well in either scenario.

Nelson asked for time to consider whether he returns next season. First he set the date at July 1st, then it became July 15th. He set very specific dates, why he even brought it up publicly is not 100% clear, unless he was sending a message to someone (Cohan?). His omnipresence was felt throughout the draft and Richardson trade, so clearly he's hardly disinterested or disengaged. And Mullin dismissed the possibility that Nelson would not return.

That's the smokescreen.

Here's what Mullin is hiding: Nelson probably will not return, and if he does he probably will not be coaching BWright, Monta, and AB together.

It's safe to assume Nelson is not holding out or threatening to walk away for money. He earned $1m bonus just for reaching the playoffs (schooling the Mavs was icing on the cake and the fact that Cuban is still fuming is delicious!).  The only motivation Nelson has to coach now is to reach the championship as a coach, he's done everything else.

July is FA time, and specifically July 11th the official salary cap for 07-08 will be set: it went up $3.6m last season and can be expected to step up a similar amount to about $57m. Plus teams will also have two exemptions ($5.5m & $1.8m) before the dreaded luxury tax kicks in. (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6978878).

We've all read on GSoM the Richardson trade also netted the Ws a huge year-long exemption. Nelson and Mullin are working on using all those, and they are not scheming to construct a long-range plan of building through youth. They are in full go-for-it-all-right-now mode. Either through a big trade or a series of significant acquisitions, they are going to construct the best roster to win right now.  Any big trade will mean one or more of the young guns are on their way out for talented veterans coming in. Belinelli is the replacement for Barnes/MP, not JRich. There are bigger fish to catch than even BWright in the next two weeks. Nelson only comes back for a chance at the ring, he doesn't come back for another "hope we make the playoffs again" season or worse, to "teach the kids how to play" and miss the playoffs. The fact that KG is available has only added fuel to this fire.

Mullin dispassionately dismissed the possibility that Nelson won't be back so as not to let on that the clock is ticking on the Ws to make a deal, to try to keep the pressure off and get the best deal(s) possible. But Nelson intentionally put that message in very specific terms, and the window of opportunity is actually very narrow. Mullin knows it, so does Cohan. And Mullin knows he needs Nelson to hang on to his own job. Hence, the pressure is on and he's going to roll the dice. He has little choice actually.

It's not for money, it's about the ring. Should be an interesting couple weeks.