(01-24-2025, 11:22 AM)Mavs2021 Wrote: Well that will largely depend on how the Kyrie extension talks are going. Kyrie has been a model citizen for the last two years. There has also not been much potential for conflict either.  If he wants something like 200/4 guaranteed, he should be on the way out. Something like Simons/Avdija with the Lakers paying the tab with two 1sts saves us a lot of headaches.

(01-24-2025, 11:31 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: Translation: "wherever Brad is willing to waive his no-trade to go, THAT'S the player we're interested in. Somehow, we've got to get off of this Beal contract so we can move forward."

(01-24-2025, 01:05 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @NationMffl
Jalen Smith could be a “buy-low target” for the Dallas Mavericks as the deadline approaches, according to @BrettSiegelNBA.

In 15.2 MPG this season, he’s averaging:

8.2 PPG | 5.4 RPG | 46.3% FG | 32.8% 3PT

(01-24-2025, 12:37 PM)BigDirk41 Wrote: Sorry to break it to you, but if Kyrie wants 4/200, that's what he'll get. That's the NBA for you. The Mavs will happily pony up. Kyrie is one of the most talented NBA players of all time. I think he will continue to be a great player for many years. He seems to take care of his body.

(01-24-2025, 01:12 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Could be a rumor from one dude's speculation after noticing that Lively is out for a long time. Hard to tell in tweet form, without knowing the source of this information. 

But, if this is somehow coming from the Mavs, (huge if) then, to me, it points to the idea that they're still toying with moving Gafford. Smith is NOT coming to play any 4, before someone with a height fetish tries to bring that up. If they're interested in him, it's as a backup center who they think they can keep in a reasonably cost-controlled position moving forward, and I don't hate that idea.

(01-24-2025, 01:24 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: Nothing to feel sorry for. I´m just a realist. There is always a potential situation where a trade becomes the best option. I´m sure Kyrie and the Mavs are working on that extension as we speak and if they were Butlers apart, we´d have heard it on the social media/agenda grapevine already.

I also think the landscape is changing for older players with the new CBA. Klay, Harden and DeRozan adjusted accordingly with minor grumblings, while Butler has thrown a full-blown tantrum as a response. PG13 hit the one max slot lottery last summer and Philly already has major regrets about it.

DeRozan signed a 74/3 deal, Harden signed a 70/2 deal, Thompson signed a 50/3 deal. Now Kyrie is still four year younger, so maybe another deal in the 40M range annually is justified, but the landscape for veterans is clearly changing. Butler is barely any better than the younger DeRozan now. DeRozan doesn´t even get 25M/year and he ain´t a daily headache.

(01-24-2025, 01:24 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: Nothing to feel sorry for. I´m just a realist. There is always a potential situation where a trade becomes the best option. I´m sure Kyrie and the Mavs are working on that extension as we speak and if they were Butlers apart, we´d have heard it on the social media/agenda grapevine already.

I also think the landscape is changing for older players with the new CBA. Klay, Harden and DeRozan adjusted accordingly with minor grumblings, while Butler has thrown a full-blown tantrum as a response. PG13 hit the one max slot lottery last summer and Philly already has major regrets about it.

DeRozan signed a 74/3 deal, Harden signed a 70/2 deal, Thompson signed a 50/3 deal. Now Kyrie is still four year younger, so maybe another deal in the 40M range annually is justified, but the landscape for veterans is clearly changing. Butler is barely any better than the younger DeRozan now. DeRozan doesn´t even get 25M/year and he ain´t a daily headache.

(01-24-2025, 01:05 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @NationMffl
Jalen Smith could be a “buy-low target” for the Dallas Mavericks as the deadline approaches, according to @BrettSiegelNBA.

In 15.2 MPG this season, he’s averaging:

8.2 PPG | 5.4 RPG | 46.3% FG | 32.8% 3PT

(01-24-2025, 03:07 PM)BigDirk41 Wrote: I don't disagree with your point about the landscape changing for veterans, but Kyrie is a much better player at this point than any of the players mentioned. He is still truly elite. I would say DeRozan is probably the closest to his production throughout his career. Harden and Klay are significantly lesser players than at their peak. That can't be said for Kyrie. Kyrie could average 30 a game if he wanted on a lesser team. I'm hoping the extension is in the 40 per year range and no worse than 45 per year, but we'll have to see. I think we are pretty damn fortunate to have a player of Kyrie's caliber that is a willing #2 and knows when he needs to be #1 in each game. I'm not sure any other player could replicate what he actually does for this team when everyone is healthy.

(01-24-2025, 04:46 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: Gimme a team-friendly deal for 2 more years @$25m per.

(01-24-2025, 04:27 PM)F Gump Wrote: A backup mediocre player
... 9th man playing only 15 mpg, 
... on a bad team
... in the 1st year of a 3 yr/$27M contract
... always has numbers that look good on paper, but teams play him sparingly
... numbers/production is meh
... nothing special on offense, not good on defense

He's a "target"? Color me skeptical.

(01-24-2025, 08:41 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Feels more like ‘the other guy’ you take in a bigger deal for someone else.

(01-25-2025, 09:41 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Suddenly the Mavs have zero center depth.

(01-25-2025, 09:41 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Suddenly the Mavs have zero center depth.

(01-25-2025, 09:41 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Suddenly the Mavs have zero center depth.

(01-26-2025, 01:58 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @esidery
The Raptors are open to trading Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, Davion Mitchell and Chris Boucher for second-round picks, per @michaelgrange
(https://sportsnet.ca/nba/article/raptors-holding-a-lot-of-cards-with-nbas-trade-deadline-two-weeks-away/).

Toronto looms large as a potential facilitator in the Jimmy Butler trade as well.