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Damn that was quick.  Hope that really means that Hardy will get some role cut out for him.  I like Wright but I'm pretty sure there's not a lot of room for improvement in his game.  Hardy has his defensive flaws but he needs reps at the NBA level to get better at that.

(01-06-2023, 11:57 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]Damn that was quick.  Hope that really means

I am affraid this only means Cuban is trying to save money

(01-06-2023, 11:36 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/MavsPR/status/1611399985043542017

This could mean his career is effectively over.

(01-06-2023, 12:29 PM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]This could mean his career is effectively over.

Yeah, this felt pretty "last chanceish" didn't it?

(01-06-2023, 11:36 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/All_Things_Mavs/stat...8582976519

Even if one accepts the narrative that Kidd does not recognize the need for Hardy to get more minutes, then this is a really good example of the GM effectively taking care of business to affect the on-court product and encourage player development.

(01-06-2023, 12:25 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I am affraid this only means Cuban is trying to save money

It's a fair thing to think but I want to hope the thought was "let's bring Kemba in as insurance and see how we feel about Hardy playing the role of third creator by the time the deadline hits and make a decision".

I do think Wrights rotation minutes of late feel a little bit like a tryout to me as well.

Regardless of the reasoning, I think it forces us into a better place to get these kids some developmental minutes.

(01-06-2023, 12:33 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, this felt pretty "last chanceish" didn't it?

Nico was pretty blunt about his medicals when he signed.  Kemba seemed fine when he played but maybe the Mavs just like what they've seen from Wright, Hardy, Pinson and Frank.

(01-06-2023, 12:25 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I am affraid this only means Cuban is trying to save money

I also just think Kemba didn't have it anymore. His knees are toast. So yes Cubes saves some money, but they're also not wasting a roster spot on a guy. 

I don't really like how they're leaning into Wright and Hardy to make up the difference. At least if they're actually trying to win big this season, those two aren't going to cut it.

I don't believe this "Walker was waived because Hardy/Wright are ready for more minutes" at all, at least not in the way it's being offered. I think it's front office spin, offering up a non-financial fan-friendly explanation for a pure money move, but not necessarily the real or whole story.

As I see it, Walker was waived based on a conclusion that his knees didn't make him dependable enough for Cuban to want to guarantee the minimum salary. It's a long time from now for his knees to hold up to be available in the playoffs. The timing was exactly when they were forced to make that all-or-none money decision, so they made it.

So I don't think it was an endorsement of the progress of Hardy or Wright at all. Hopefully one, the other, or both can make a contribution, but if neither gets any particular bump in minutes or role, or if the Mavs make moves cycling other guard help through here instead, don't be surprised.

It's also not impossible that the Mavs might bring back Walker right before the end of the season, if he hasn't latched on somewhere else before then.

(01-06-2023, 12:51 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]It's a fair thing to think but I want to hope the thought was "let's bring Kemba in as insurance and see how we feel about Hardy playing the role of third creator by the time the deadline hits and make a decision".

Why do you think it was Kemba who was stopping Hardy? Mavs giving minutes to Hardy is totally independent of Kemba being on team or not.

https://twitter.com/sixfivelando/status/...86850?s=46&t=NE9Ipgtw-D4IFrEAqZ4Gtw

I thought he looked like he could still contribute when he played.  Maybe the team didn't think he would be available when it really mattered, but I think the idea that his presence on the roster was holding back other players is completely fabricated to justify a purely financial decision, and that we should all feel like our intelligence is being insulted by whoever thought they could float that excuse to the media.

(01-06-2023, 08:46 PM)Benskix2 Wrote: [ -> ]I thought he looked like he could still contribute when he played.  Maybe the team didn't think he would be available when it really mattered, but I think the idea that his presence on the roster was holding back other players is completely fabricated to justify a purely financial decision, and that we should all feel like our intelligence is being insulted by whoever thought they could float that excuse to the media.

Totally agree that it's all spin. 

Totally agree that it's at least partially financially driven, BUT in this case I can't blame them because who would want to pay luxury tax on a guy you're not even sure will be able to play when you really need him, let alone on a consistent basis? 

Also, and this is just me speculating, I think they know they need another ball-handler, hence Campazzo, Wright, Walker. I feel like if they make a trade, that's where they'll go. This is probably wishful thinking, but what if they have a few possibilities and have already decided they're going to pull the trigger on one? What if that deal needs an open roster spot to go down? It's possible.

(01-06-2023, 01:46 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I also just think Kemba didn't have it anymore. His knees are toast. So yes Cubes saves some money, but they're also not wasting a roster spot on a guy. 

I don't really like how they're leaning into Wright and Hardy to make up the difference. At least if they're actually trying to win big this season, those two aren't going to cut it.

They will cut it more than any other non used option on the roster (I'd bet money giving THJ's minutes to Hardy the rest of the season would see no drop off, and maybe improvement overall as Hardy figures the NBA out), and it helps their development (talking much more about Hardy than Wright), which is absolutely the best option for the teams future.

The only way you are gonna find better options is in a trade. And short of a trade for a really good piece, the win big scenario this season is likely a pipe dream to where I'd rather develop Hardy and see what happens. This team isn't winning anything with the current roster, or touching a WCF if the West is actually somewhat healthy by playoff time which was certainly not the case last season.