(02-02-2025, 10:44 PM)F Gump Wrote: It takes at least 45M outgoing (to stay under Apron 1) and maybe 49M (to stay under the tax line). That's almost an impossible package - once you get past AD and Kyrie, the next 3 biggest salaries together (Klay, PJW, Gaff) only total 44.77, putting you 2.3M below Apron 1 but with 3 empty roster slots to manage. And I don't think the Mavs would trade all that for Butler.

I only see one workaround. What would you think of this one?
Kyrie + Naji FOR Butler

Butler ends up with the ball, creating the offense. Backup PGs are SD and Exum. Can you live with that?

(02-02-2025, 10:45 PM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: How do you feel about PJ playing significant minutes at the 3?  Should we dangle him for a real wing?

(02-02-2025, 11:14 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: What if Jimmy decides to take a buyout and comes to the Mavs for shits and gigs?

LOL who am I kidding. We’re a poverty franchise.

(02-03-2025, 09:11 AM)From Dirk to Luka Wrote: How do you change your name?

Signed,
From Dirk to (no) Luka

(02-03-2025, 09:25 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: I am pretty sure I can change it in the admin menus but it will take a bit. Let me know what you want to change it to.

(02-03-2025, 09:33 AM)From Dirk to Luka Wrote: Would "From Dirk to SCREW YOU Nico" be too much? 

(02-03-2025, 09:27 AM)Smitty Wrote: Does LaMelo Ball make sense for this team?

DAL receives: LaMelo Ball, Nicolas Batum, Amir Coffey
CHA receives: Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, FRP(s)
LAC receives: Klay Thompson

Ball | Dinwiddie | Exum
Irving | Grimes | Hardy
PJW | Christie | Coffey
AD | Batum | OMax
Lively | Powell

(02-03-2025, 09:10 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Given this front office propensity for just recreating the Lakers, what if Nico is targeting Lonzo ball on a buyout?

We are now suddenly in need of a guard with point guard skills, and Lonzo has it. He is also able to defend, given Nico’s hard on for guys that defend first even though Luka could do that to a passable level.

(02-03-2025, 09:11 AM)From Dirk to SCREW YOU Nico Wrote: How do you change your name?

Signed,
From Dirk to (no) Luka

(02-03-2025, 09:59 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: I think this is too much of a shakeup and if anyone is leaving it’s Grimes unfortunately.


I also really don’t consider Lamelo Ball to be a serious player that can lead your team to a championship. 

And if we want a Ball, why not get Chicago’s Lonzo on a buyout who can provide the facilitation and defense we’re after at 1% of the cost?

Unironically Brunson would be an ideal fit for this squad. Tyrese Halliburton would be good.

I wonder if the Suns crash and burn if we can cobble together a Booker package?

(02-03-2025, 10:35 AM)Smitty Wrote: I can't believe we had Luka and Brunson and now both are gone. UGH!

(02-03-2025, 10:39 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I know even before typing this that I'm falling victim to "sunken cost" thinking, but...

Letting Brunson go, to me, meant making a decision to see this Luka era to as close to conclusion as possible. Like, if they'd have had the balls to admit they didn't want to be in the Luka business back THEN, and there'd have been a way to move Luka and KEEP Brunson, this team would very likely be in a pretty decent place right now. Maybe last season wouldn't have been as successful, but then again, maybe it would have. 

We'd still have a guy who was a Maverick at the core of this thing, at least. More and more, I'm realizing that's what's bumming me out about all of this.

(02-03-2025, 10:35 AM)Smitty Wrote: Oh, it's a shakeup alright. Almost like trading Luka. I agree Grimes is likely the one moved; he just didn't fit the financials for this long shot hypothetical. I can't believe we had Luka and Brunson and now both are gone. UGH!

(02-03-2025, 10:48 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: I know it’s ironic to talk about shakeups given we just traded THE guy for basically nothing, but Nico still has a mind to compete. And tearing down the entire roster halfway into the year doesn’t really help competing.

And while there may be stats that paint Lamelo in a good light, he isn’t a serious player, both offensively and defensively. 

Nico is targeting defensive oriented guys first too, and Lamelo doesn’t fit that at all.

Honestly im wondering if we are going to look for a SG that has point guard qualities and move Kyrie to the PG position now.

(02-03-2025, 10:58 AM)Smitty Wrote: Who do you have in mind? The only name I've seen as a realistic target is Collin Sexton. Which still requires Gafford and Naji outgoing most likely. It doesn't move the needle for me personally and is the shakeup you don't want but will require. That's why I tried to get creative for LaMelo, whom I'm not even a big fan of, but think he fills the perceived need. His defense is much better this year.
Sigh...