(03-05-2025, 06:01 PM)audiosway Wrote: It's all good. I made a couple of over reactions yesterday.

I totally agree with you. I thought that's what the Mavs were doing and it has become obvious they weren't. In fact, I'm not sure they know what they are doing anymore at all.

This would be the correct approach though. If this were to be the plan I would just see if I could hire Danny Ainge and be done with it. He is the guy you want to tear it down to the studs and build it back up. He is also an incredible negotiator.

(03-05-2025, 06:44 PM)F Gump Wrote: I'm not at all in favor of Ainge. I think he's incredibly overrated. For his reputation at doing well with trades, he's such a hard negotiator that no one wants to trade with him (that's not due to fear, but because his prices tend to be ridiculously high), so he gets nothing done.

If you're willing to money-whip someone and get your guy at whatever cost, the guy to pursue is Presti.

(03-05-2025, 03:46 PM)michaeltex Wrote: At the risk of over reaction...

I think DAL only real course is to tear it all down to the studs. Trade anyone who has real value in the market, including PJ, DLive, AD, Christie and Gaff, for cheaper players and picks. Then build a roster as cheaply as possible so there is plenty of cap space available. Then become the target of every team needing to off load contracts for cap management or trade facilitation. This is a 2-3 year philosophy.

Once the picks are re-built, hire the best drafter available and start re-building from top-of-the-draft talent.  The young (cheap) talent will re-energize the fan base while still allowing caps space to continue accumulating picks. This is another 2-3 years.

At the end of 5-6 years you make sure to have a GM who is adept at FA trading and has he cojones to play hardball, so you can judiciously add FAs to the growing young core as you (hopefully) become a serious contender. By now the current contenders will be either starting to age out (e.g., OKC, MEM) or waiting on their HOF election (GSW, DEN, BOS).

TBH, I THOUGHT some version of this was in the Mav's plans. Luka + Kyrie + Klay was the old guard while PJ + DLive + Gaff was the young blood. (Luka is old guard because of all his years as a pro in Europe). Have picks and swaps to continue to make deals as interesting upgrades become available and stay contenders for the next decade.

I thought Cuban did a number in 2011, but Nico's gamble has put him to shame.

(03-06-2025, 12:53 AM)F Gump Wrote: I am not convinced that a swap for KD is a given, only a possibility. But whatever their plan, I don't think it's changed at all.

In fact, until we get news saying AD is done for the season, I don't think they've given up on this season either, or are even in "run out the easy grounder to second" mode (for those of you who know that expression). This team is terribly outmanned right now with all the players who are injured, but I think they (coaches and players alike) still hope for some reinforcements and a different trajectory after that.

(03-06-2025, 12:59 AM)audiosway Wrote: I don't think they are considering anything other than playing hard for 82 games.

I just think I may be done with the Mavs as a whole. I wrote out my speculation yesterday or the day before on here. Once I found the article quoting Kyrie from a couple of days after the trade outlining him, KD, and AD combined with possibly trading JT or JB I'm out. That sounds way too much like what just happened.

(03-06-2025, 11:07 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: “Ant Edwards and KD have a very tight connection from the Olympics. They tried to pull off a crazy trade at the deadline for KD, look for them to revisit talks in the summer.”


From Brian Windhorst on Get Up today.  Wolves definitely going to make a play for KD. The 2nd apron was put into place to specifically prevent trades like this with teams capped out.

Let’s see if it actually does stop it.

(03-06-2025, 03:19 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @TheDunkCentral
The Lakers, Mavericks, Spurs and Heat are expected to pursue Kevin Durant in the offseason, per
@AmicoHoops

(03-06-2025, 03:26 PM)mvossman Wrote: Strange list.

(03-06-2025, 03:44 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Sounds more like a list KD would make than the teams themselves.

(03-06-2025, 03:56 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: Ya the Spurs have been pretty deliberate about taking their time to build around Wemby.  There's absolutely no way they're interested in KD.

Not sure how the Lakers would be able to pull it off to be honest, wonder what Miami and LA's offers would look like compared to Dallas' of Gafford/PJ/picks.

(03-06-2025, 03:56 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: Ya the Spurs have been pretty deliberate about taking their time to build around Wemby.  There's absolutely no way they're interested in KD.

Not sure how the Lakers would be able to pull it off to be honest, wonder what Miami and LA's offers would look like compared to Dallas' of Gafford/PJ/picks.

(03-06-2025, 05:24 PM)omahen Wrote: While I am not a fan of Lakers doing the offer, it wouldn't be that difficult to pull it off for them. For example, Rui, Reaves, Vincent and Maxi is roughly 53 mil of salary. Add Knecht and it is over 54 mil. Part of the salary would need to go to third team. So for Phoenix - Reaves on a great (expiring) deal taking over the PG duty. Rui on expiring deal takes PF spot in the starting line-up. Young player in Knecht and remaining pick. Vincent and Maxi are expiring salary fillers. Not a bad deal, giving Phoenix a lot of flexibility moving forward (easy to flip Reaves and/or Rui for assets if they want to). 

Lakers depth would be gutted though with DFS and Vando the only remaining starter level players. Probably resign Hayes. Next best player would likely be Goodwin and then only end of bench guys. I don't think the deal makes Lakers better.

(03-06-2025, 05:31 PM)mvossman Wrote: It does not make them better, but they will attract a lot of ring chasers and might be able to build some of that depth back up.

(03-06-2025, 05:34 PM)omahen Wrote: Personally I am not really a fan of washed up vets playing for vet min. Not to mention it will be even more difficult to build after age seriously catches up with LeBron and KD.