(06-27-2021, 02:55 PM)TXBamanut Wrote: [ -> ]I'd still hang in there if we signed or traded for him, maybe even be a little excited, but man...if he's done already in LA because of the training staff...with his track record of bolting...I would highly question his loyalty, and I'd expect him to quit when things didn't go his way.
Kawhi Leonard is a different sort of dude, no question about that.
Ultimately, I wonder whether he's a fit here, for "culture" reasons. Here's an interview Cuban did not too long ago in which he talks frankly about his feeling that it's best not to treat the best players too differently than others. Now, I completely agree with what he's saying here, but I'm not sure if this type of philosophy fits with his strategy of "big game hunting" very well at all. All throughout this interview (recommend the entire thing, not just this clip), over a wide variety of topics, including tampering, he keeps bringing the conversation back to peripheral friends and family members getting in the way, and how the players and agents aren't really a problem. I don't know that he's specifically envisioning Kawhi's Uncle Dennis, but that guy is probably the second most well known example of this type of character (next to LaVar Ball). The most relevant section starts at around the 9:00 mark.
https://youtu.be/Gxd7O0cUAYs
I think that Cuban has the right of this, from the "right and wrong" and "what's best for team culture" perspectives, but I also feel that this puts the Mavs at a severe disadvantage when it comes to signing guys like Kawhi Leonard.
For those who don't know this story, which is crazy, here's another clip from the same interview that includes the tale of how Kobe Bryant was almost a Maverick:
https://youtu.be/7SlIRh3XnaQ
I guess one thing is sure - if Dame forces his out, there will be a firesale in Portland. It would make little sense to keep the rest of the vets.
(06-27-2021, 04:18 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I guess one thing is sure - if Dame forces his out, there will be a firesale in Portland. It would make little sense to keep the rest of the vets.
Yeah, I'd say that's likely. I doubt the Mavs have the ammo to get Dame, but they might be able to snag CJ, Roco, or something else in the aftermath.
(06-27-2021, 04:19 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I doubt the Mavs have the ammo to get Dame
Our package is extremely weak. KP, Brunson, Green, Terry, only two picks (if we lift protection from 2023 this means 2025 and 2027) and all the swaps.
(06-27-2021, 04:23 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Our package is extremely weak. KP, Brunson, Green, Terry, only two picks (if we lift protection from 2023 this means 2025 and 2027) and all the swaps.
Trade for a '23 pick (like Brunson to NY for Dallas's own pick back or to OKC for one of their 3 that year), and the pick package gets a lot better. Once the '21 draft is over, they could theoretically send 22, 24, and 26. That gets us back up in line with the pick packages for Davis, George, and Harden. And importantly, it's more than the usual suspects like the Lakers, Clippers, and Nets will have available since they've already traded all of theirs away.
Still not saying it's likely. But I bet Dallas could get into the conversation. And on the outside chance Dame pushes for Dallas specifically, it could get really interesting.
Now if you want to get stupid greedy after a few drinks, think about how the Clippers won Kawhi over by making their big trade for George. If Nico can catch lightning in a bottle and trade KP/picks for Dame while recruiting Kawhi away in free agency, is it too soon to build a statue?
Yeah even if he’d lobby publicly to come here we would not stand a chance with the pathetic job we’ve done building up our asset base.
It’s just a shame how badly this team has been run. They’ve wasted SO MUCH time and resources with little to show for. Ugh.
(06-27-2021, 04:32 PM)Tyler Wrote: [ -> ]Trade for a '23 pick (like Brunson to NY for Dallas's own pick back or to OKC for one of their 3 that year), and the pick package gets a lot better. Once the '21 draft is over, they could theoretically send 22, 24, and 26. That gets us back up in line with the pick packages for Davis, George, and Harden. And importantly, it's more than the usual suspects like the Lakers, Clippers, and Nets will have available since they've already traded all of theirs away.
Still not saying it's likely. But I bet Dallas could get into the conversation. And on the outside chance Dame pushes for Dallas specifically, it could get really interesting.
We have zero chance unless Dame pushes specifically for Dallas. Every single team in the league will give offers if Dame comes on the market. Sure those three usual suspects don't have picks, but Philly, Boston, Atlanta and Phoenix are all serious contenders with most of their picks available plus a bunch of young talent for trade. And of course you have GSW with Wiseman, 2021 picks and whatever else they have left.
you can easily rule out half the teams on Dame due to location, assets, current level of the team. Dame isn't just going to get moved wherever if he does get traded.
Grizz, Magic, Pistons, Bulls, Rockets, Hornets, Pacers, Kings, Wolves, Cavs, Clippers, Spurs, Thunder, Lakers, Bucks, Nets (no assets left on last 3) can be ruled out safely.
(06-27-2021, 04:19 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, I'd say that's likely. I doubt the Mavs have the ammo to get Dame, but ....
"We aren't the right trade partner for ____ reason" is the mindset the Mavs have adopted for years. Unless that changes, we'll see the same failure to get a star.
There's one main criteria for getting Lillard, and having "the ammo" isn't it.
The only thing that really will matter is being where Dame wants to be traded, if he forces his way out. (If you doubt this, see Harden, James. But he's not the only example.) The better the player, the more he, not his team, drives the destination.
If Dame wants to come here, the Mavs can find the assets. "The best you have" is what it will take, within trade-matching limits, and Luka won't be on that list. (Who else will be exempt? Perhaps one or two other good players. And salaries will drive a lot of the discussion.) Even if the assets aren't perfect, they should be good enough. Because the star drives the destination, and no team wants to be the buyer who trades a ton for him and then has a disgruntled player who doesn't want to be there.
He just signed his deal. Does he have as much power as a guy with 1-2 years left?
(06-27-2021, 05:15 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]The only thing that really will matter is being on Dame's list of where he wants to be traded, if he forces his way out.
I agree that this is the MOST important factor, but I don't think it's the only one, especially if he has a list (multiple teams).
If Dame wants to play with Luka, be coached by Kidd and managed by Nico, why not the Mavs? The vet mins will line up to play here.
Any sort of Dame to Mavs trade centers around getting a 2023 pick or any future 1st and getting something of value for KP.
3 1sts, plus pick swaps, plus young valuable asset I think is just about the best anyone ever offers for a star. Anymore and it just kills your ability to put a roster together and teams draw the line. Harden proved that.
But Dame has to actually want out and actually want to come to the Mavs or at least have him on their list of teams.
Celtics, Nuggets, Heat, Miami, Sixers, Raptors, Knicks seem like the main teams that would go all out and with hold nothing but their main star/stars in order to get him
(06-27-2021, 05:19 PM)jesusshuttlesworth82 Wrote: [ -> ]He just signed his deal. Does he have as much power as a guy with 1-2 years left?
That's why I'm a little doubtful the Mavs have any chance in a supposed Dame deal, unless POR is loyal to Dame and honors his request no matter the circumstances.
![[Image: IMG-4366.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/GkMw1JR/IMG-4366.jpg)