I don't follow the NBA but I understand that Dallas didn't shop him and the return is questionable.
I have trouble understanding that narrative from a hockey fan and (to a lesser extent) baseball fan. It's like if we kept Boeser and let him walk as an UFA and the concern is that we "f***ed with Boeser's money" by not arranging for a sign and trade so he could sign for 8 years instead of 7?
Right decision or not, a team has the right to decide whether to commit a long term max money contract to a player and trade that player. If a sign and trade produces a better return balanced with the odds of winning the championship this season, then ya wait and do a sign and trade, otherwise it seems silly to be concerned about a player's money making ability.