(12-20-2024, 07:58 PM)Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo Wrote: Deni for Maxi+Hardy+Omax+a first works..

(12-20-2024, 06:58 PM)BigDirk41 Wrote: I'm not saying that I am right, but I would be surprised if they don't make a move. I feel like this is an all in team and if they can improve the team, they will. That's if the right trade presents itself. They won't just throw the 25 #1 away, but if they can add a rotation piece, I can see a move being made. I would throw everything we can at Herbert Jones because I think he could make the difference in a championship or not. He can make life miserable for SGA. I don't know the math for the trade, but I'd do Maxi, Omax, Hardy, our 25 #1 and whatever #2s we can include for him. Start him at the 3 and make Klay our super 6th man whether he likes it or not.

(12-21-2024, 02:58 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Herbert Jones is the dream but I just don't see why the Pelicans would ever move on from him at his contract. 

BUT lets assume they do want to move on...

Any hypothetical trade would have to start with Gafford. In fact, I'm starting to think any trade the Mavs might make this season will be probably have Gafford as the main piece. Centers are a hot thing right now. Every team wants one, and Gafford would be by far and away the best one on the market should the Mavs make him available. The competition is Timelord, Valanciunas, Nurkic, Capela, Nik Richards, and Duop Reath. Teams are desperate. Gafford would be a starter day 1 for any team that is vying for a center. 

Plus, there are a lot of stats that show Gafford is just not cutting it defensively. Replace him in the lineup instead of Lively and the Mavs fall to 27th in DRTG and a -16 net rating. The bench lineups haven't been great even with Gafford going ballistic in the middle. In games where opposing teams are light in center depth AND don't have any spacing, Gafford feasts. But against good teams with good centers, Gafford is okay. Against teams with stretch shooters, Gafford is almost unplayable. It's difficult, because having that 1-2 punch with Lively is just overwhelming for any opposing team, but if we're trying to improve, this is the best place to take talent from. 

I can see the Pelicans talking themselves into a fast forwarded rebuild with grabbing Gafford as a starting center given that they have zero centers currently (I mean Missi is okay, Theis is meh. But not good enough at all). Plus, Jones is having a down year, barely hitting 31% on 3s and his value on a tanking team diminishes. Plus they have Trey Murphy just waiting there to take his place if needed...


As for the Mavs, getting Jones complicates stuff. Obviously a good complication, but now we really have to find out who is worth starting. PJ? Klay? I don't think either would be happy with a move to the bench. Even more so given that our starting lineup, when healthy, is undefeated and a current +22 net rating. Why mess with that? Would Jones be happy on the bench? I'm not too sure. Truthfully why are trading for Jones if he's only going to play 24mpg?

If we sent PJ to the bench, I'm not so convinced that the Mavs starting lineup is better off. Sure we get better defensively, but PJ is a helluva rebounder and box out player. Jones isn't that at all. But there is a world where the Mavs closing lineup is Luka/Kyrie/Jones/PJ/Lively and that is tantalizing. Heck even Luka/Kyrie/Klay/Jones/Lively looks good. 

Anyways I'm rambling. Not sure what to do here.

(12-21-2024, 07:38 AM)MAVS-SLO Wrote: I agree with that, but i think Gafford would be on the trade market only if we are targeting some ''fancy name'' out there, but i doubt that this will be the case this season.

We already saw what is happening without proper backup center in all previus seasons, so after we finally got him i don't think we are going to trade him, specially as everyone knows how small market is for centers.

And in the situation where we are now and that is contending for the ring i doubt that our plan is creating a hole on the center position.

In my opinion trade(s) this season will be minor, with targeting not exacly the ''fancy names'', but the players who are available and who can do their job.

If we are adding draft capital in the deals i would assume that our offer is Kleber (to injury prone) plus maybe salary fillers like Exum or maybe even Powell and our targets are the ones who are making 8-15 mil. per season.

Avdija mentioned before is good example, but knowing the Blazers, they would demans multiple FRP for him.

DFS is currently looking most realistic trade target, with price also falling down. After Schroder trade i doubt they will get FRP for DFS.

Korey Kisper from Washington could be also be interesting.

Kelly Oubre could also be an option if Philadelphia will be sellers this offseason (not a fan of him), but defensive ratings aren't bad.

For the Jazz and Pelicans players (Collins) we don't have salary matches or we have to trade important players (Gafford).

(12-21-2024, 11:22 AM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: I have a hard time seeing Gafford being available.

I don't think rebuilding teams are all that interested in a serviceable center.  Look at the Wizards, who traded him to us in the first place.  Center is a luxury you go after once you have the star/wing players ready to compete.  Teams want 1st round picks.

I also don't think the Mavs want to trade him.  In a fantasy world, Lively and Maxi cover all the minutes at center.  But they are both injury prone and you have absolutely nothing behind them.  Gafford also brings physicality and toughness that I think was a priority for the Mavs.  See PJ Washington.  See the interest in Bobby Portis last year.

Maxi's salary will probably be the one used in a trade.  As we've already discussed, the two obvious places to upgrade are at the Dinwiddie/Exum role and at the Maxi role.  No need to create new holes in the rotation.

(12-21-2024, 12:09 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Evan Sidery
@esidery
The Spurs are positioning themselves to make a pursuit for De’Aaron Fox, per @sam_amick (https://t.co/GyYX6ZGXJf).

San Antonio has collected tons of future first round-picks to make an eventual run for a star to pair alongside Victor Wembanyama.

(12-21-2024, 12:09 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Sam Amick
@sam_amick
Sources: De’Aaron Fox’s agent, Klutch Sports founder Rich Paul, met with the Kings front office before Thursday’s game to discuss the uncertain road ahead.

Much more here, with @anthonyVslater, at @TheAthletic

(12-21-2024, 03:26 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @esidery
Up to 10 teams have recently inquired with the Nets on Cam Johnson as his trade market takes off:

Cavaliers
Grizzlies
Kings
Lakers
Magic
Mavericks
Nuggets
Thunder
Rockets
Warriors

A deal for Johnson could go down within the next few weeks, especially if Brooklyn keeps winning.

(12-21-2024, 07:32 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: If this is true, I find it extremely disquieting. 

I like Cam Johnson...maybe I'm not super up on the latest with him, but he's still a STARTER, right? Surely, they're not thinking about replacing PJW, right? I'd be shocked if they're looking to replace Thompson already.

(12-22-2024, 03:12 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Honestly when I see this rumor, I think this is a misdirection. Mavs don't really have a realistic way to get Cam Johnson. I mean his fit would be seamless, but it'd take both Gafford+Maxi which just destroys our center depth. Not really sure why they'd do that at all. 

But what this does tell me is that the Mavs have been talking to Brooklyn, and you know what wing fits at the right $ amount, knows the system, and is fine coming off the bench? DFS.

And I don't think he'd go for whatever ludicrous price BRK was spouting earlier.

(12-22-2024, 04:03 AM)MAVS-SLO Wrote: Exactly.

Collins, Cam Johnson, Jones, Butler and all other names mentioned in media are unrealistic. From the salary perspective to the price other teams would demand.

DFS is not a ''fancy name'' people will go crazy, but he is most realistic and he checks all the boxes we need:

- Available for reasonable price. (Kleber + filler)
- Knows the system, most of the players and coach.
- Good chemistry guy.
- Plays good defense.
- Plays winning basketball.
- Shooting 45% for 3 this season.
- Not injury prone.
- Fine coming of the bench.
- Do his job and do what is demanded from him.
- Luka mentioned many times he would like to play with him again.