How Cowboys trading Dak Prescott would have multiple uncertain layers

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The Dallas Cowboys probably won't be looking to trade Dak Prescott anytime soon.

But there's no time like mid-July to consider the possibility, which is what ESPN's Bill Barnwell does in a new article on Thursday.

Barnwell's premise is to find what each of the league's top players would cost in a trade if they were available.

It's a good way to assess value across the league, and within individual teams.

For Prescott, Barnwell lists his trade cost as "one first-round pick and more," but his analysis is even more interesting.

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How would a Dak Prescott trade work?

A Prescott trade would have value questions all around, because not only would there be the matter of a return cost, but also his present contract cost.

Prescott makes $60 million per year, which makes everything a little trickier in the theoretical world where he's on the trade block.

"Prescott's value would be a fascinating discussion in its own right if the Cowboys star ever chose to waive his no-trade clause," Barnwell writes. "His four-year, $240 million extension is the most player-friendly contract in the league, and it's a product of owner Jerry Jones mishandling Prescott's initial run toward free agency in 2019 and 2020. I'm not sure other teams see Prescott as that caliber of quarterback, although his consistency on the field would appeal to franchises that haven't been able to find a steady hand under center."

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For now, Prescott has a no-trade clause, and he has both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to throw to. It's unlikely he's going anywhere anytime soon.

But if things took a turn quickly, it'd be fascinating to see how any potential negotiations would play out.

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