(07-04-2024, 04:10 PM)Jason Terry Wrote: Stein backing up the reports that the DJJ decision was all about the money for him. That doesn’t make sense when he takes home less on his 3/30 than the 3/27 that was offered. There has to be more to the situation. Did he not want to wait around for a better offer or was the Clippers deal the best non-mav deal he was offered? You have an agent to represent your interests. Why did Rich Paul not get him the best deal? Sounds most like Rich Paul filled DJJ’s head with lies and will make a greater commission while his client gets less. Bet Jones jr feels dumb now

(07-04-2024, 04:17 PM)Winter Wrote: Interesting podcast I just heard on DJJ.

The podcast begins with a discussion of DJJ's starter minutes being lower than a typical starter. This is because his effectiveness diminished over time. Hence, his play was optimized at about 23 mpg rather than a more common 28-30 mpg from most starters. The Mavs still liked him a lot and apparently didn't have much trouble working around that number

Early on when it appeared DJJ was changing agents to Rich Paul, the Mavs foresaw the possibility of some delays with the new agent (in that they thought Rich Paul would go for slightly more money and drag this out a bit). The Mavs didn't want any delays as they had eyes on Klay and needed a clear lane to work in. They let it be known that they had a backup plan if the DJJ negotiations got delayed (the backup plan being Naji Marshall).

When it became clear that the DJJ\Rich Paul camp wasn't going to accept the initial number (3 for 27) without more negotiation, the Mavs turned the corner quickly and signed Marshall.

At this point, it's not clear why DJJ took the Clippers offer so quickly instead of looking for more suitors after the Mavs committed to Naji. Maybe DJJ\Paul didn't see another market offering more. If that's true, then it was a mistake not to take the Mavs offer in my opinion. The 3 for 30 he accepted is likely less in California than the 3 for 27 in Texas.

Some of this looks pretty clumsy - but not really by the Mavs Front Office. They had a plan and a timeframe and stuck with it. DJJ didn't do badly money-wise, but his role and his minutes-per-game look more uncertain in LA than his established role here.

I'm not sure if Marshall can improve on the minutes-per-game that DJJ played, but if Naji's skills are a little more versatile (as reported) the Mavs might be better off for it.

(07-04-2024, 04:43 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: This is what I've been trying to suggest, but you worded it (or summarized what you heard) very well. Glad to have a little confirmation. Which podcast was it?

I think DJJ is an absolute fool for switching agents when he did.

EDIT: $3 million, guaranteed, is no small amount, especially given what Jones has earned through his entire career so far, but with the Mavs, 50% of his games would've been played in Texas (more than 50%, when games in Houston and SA are added in). I'd be curious to know how much money that actually saves, even if it's just a round number ballpark. Do we have any accountants/tax attorney types on the board?

(07-04-2024, 05:05 PM)BigDirk41 Wrote: So maybe we're talking 250k a year or so roughly.

(07-04-2024, 05:07 PM)Smitty Wrote: I’d jump ship for $250K more a year

(07-04-2024, 05:02 PM)BigDirk41 Wrote: It looks like the total over the contract is around 1 million more than he would have gotten in Texas, but that doesn't include the games vs Houston and San Antonio so it would be under a million total difference in the end.

(07-04-2024, 04:12 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: It makes sense if the meaning is that he and his new agency were going to try to extort more money out of the Mavericks, specifically, and then when they told him to shove it (Marshall), they immediately had to settle for someone else’s offer without any leverage.

(07-04-2024, 05:21 PM)Jason Terry Wrote: Which makes you think why would that same agent not do the same thing with Hardy? I think Nico is done with them

(07-04-2024, 05:07 PM)Smitty Wrote: I’d jump ship for $250K more a year

(07-04-2024, 06:15 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Still hurts not to have DJJ back. Maybe Marshall is exactly what we need and all but I really enjoyed watching DJJ. The fact he tried to strong arm the Mavs in the 11th hour leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

What an imbecile.

(07-04-2024, 06:51 PM)Winter Wrote: I wish him the best, but another year or two in Dallas would have cemented him I think in the minds of Mavs fans. Now he is faced with a few years of just being a hired gun with multiple teams. More than anything, that's what I think he'll be missing when looks back on his career. Maybe he finds a real home on a contender, but that's just not easy to do when you're pushing 30.

(07-04-2024, 06:51 PM)Winter Wrote: I might soften this a little.

DJJ has been banking on being seen as a good player now, and really wants a more appropriate payday. So He hires a new agent, who promises him that he will work tirelessly for the maximum amount of money.

The Mavs make an offer... and make it pretty clear that they'd like to get it done quickly. The new agent says, "Not so fast. I think our guy will get more on the open market". The new agent tells his client that he should play a little hardball here. The client is likely on-board after years of feeling under-valued.

What likely happens here (in my opinion) is that Rich Paul hasn't fully grasped the Mavs situation and their need to expedite this and move on to Klay. Rich Paul is likely playing this just as he would for all his clients, but maybe didn't read the room in this case. 

The Mavericks pivot without a counter-offer. There is no negotiation ... so DJJ is probably a little disappointed. But the Mavs need to stand pat for salary reasons, and they have a backup plan with Naji whom they feel very good about. So good, they don't see a real downside to acquiring Naji and can now move on to Klay.

At this point, it somehow becomes clear that these 3-for-30 numbers are likely what the market will bear. DJJ probably could have played some more hardball, but at least the Clippers might really offer him a noticeable role. It's not the Mavs, but maybe close. Maybe.

I wish him the best, but another year or two in Dallas would have cemented him I think in the minds of Mavs fans. Now he is faced with a few years of just being a hired gun with multiple teams. More than anything, that's what I think he'll be missing when looks back on his career. Maybe he finds a real home on a contender, but that's just not easy to do when you're pushing 30.