couldnt afford 2nd t
Joined: Sep. 2021
Posts: 1,014
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This trade was the tipping point that won them the series.
It was a brilliant trade. The actual cost to Tampa was a 4th round pick in 2024. They weren't going to be able to qualify Joseph because he is arbitration eligible, and there is a good chance he'd be awarded something significant enough to upset their cap, but not something high enough that they could walk away from it. They also weren't going to trade Joseph for picks/prospects without a replacement.
Sunk cost isn't technically the right term, but you know what I mean. Instead of keeping Joseph as a self-rental, they paid a 4th to rent Paul.
Paul is going to get a nice contract this summer, good for him. He has grinded away through his development and become a very valuable top 9 forward.