(06-17-2025, 11:29 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Yes injuries are a concern and both Kyrie (when he returns) and AD needs to be watched closely in the regular season.  No more playing Luka for a full half type of things.   I think they need to be around 30 minutes when healthy.  That is why I think a deep team will be important.  We will see if this is transferable to the playoffs when stars play bigger minutes.

I also agree that Kyrie is more of a scoring guard than a point guard.  Although, I think Nico/Kidd don't want one guy to lead an offense.   I think they envision having mulitple guys do this.   The Mavs aren't really set up for this now because Klay isn't great at it and Max is still developing.    I am not sure, but I believe Nico wants a deep team.  A tall, long and physical team (besides Kyrie).   And one who doesn't rely on one player creating offense.  I think we will be able to get a good glimpse if Cooper can eventually be a number 2 creator.  If he can, it opens up a ton of options.

(06-17-2025, 01:23 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @MavsFilmRoom
Marc Stein on the DLLS Mavs Podcast says that “rumbles” are that Cooper Flagg is excited that he’s being drafted to a team that isn’t a bottom feeder and is one that can be competitive.

(06-18-2025, 04:20 AM)Mavs2021 Wrote: Well a lot will depend on the guard situation. We all know Washington, Marshall, Thompson and Hardy do not have great handles under pressure. So now you rely on Dinwiddie to bring the ball up the floor, which he will interpret as a licence to shoot or on Williams, who has played about 1 1/2 meaningful NBA games in his life. Nobody knows how he´ll react, when teams with their starters actually scout for his weaknesses. 

Not likely the team will be bad, since I think you can still be good-ish with crap guards, if you have arguably the best frontcourt in the whole league with Flagg/Marshall/Thompson/AD/Washington/Gafford/Lively.

My guess is that they´ll just get one veteran like a Westbrook and then just take a wait and see approach. Does AD get hurt again? How good is Flagg right away? How is Irving progressing? Where are they at the trade deadline record-wise? Better strategy to tank and trade AD or better to acquire an additional guard and compete for the title. That´s probably how I´d play it. 

Nevertheless I´d still try to get a pick mid/late 1st and draft Denim or Traore, if they fall. The Traore one is so weird. He owned the 2024 Adidas EuroCamp, top scorer and 5th in assists. Played very well in the Nike Hoops Summit. Now he´s behind all the PGs from that tournament like Denim and Jakucionis, cause they went through the easier college route, instead of playing PG against adults at age 18. What are these scouts even doing? Presti is probably all giddey already sitting there with his 15th pick.

(06-19-2025, 11:14 AM)RasheedsBigWhiteSpot Wrote: A version of the trade:

Mavs get Turner (S/T $27.6 per/4 years), Mathurin, Toppin, Knect, #27, 2027 1st (top 3 protected) and 2029 1st (top 3 protected), swaps with Lakers in 2026, 2028 and an unprotected 2031 1st
Pacers get AD
Lakers get Lively
Nets get Jarace Walker and Jaden Hardy

The 2027 Pacers pick will likely be in the mid 20s, but 2029 could be something

*This trade cuts $12 mil off payroll

The Mavs would be flush movable contracts with future picks to get whoever they want (Stepien rule considered)
Mavs/Lakers 2026
Pacers 2027
Mavs/Lakers 2028
Pacers 2029, Lakers 2029
Mavs 2030, post swap
Mavs 2031, Lakers 2031

(06-19-2025, 11:31 AM)michaeltex Wrote: Emotionally, I'm OK with trading AD. He's a phenomenal talent but he hasn't played enough games to become one of "our" guys. I'd still like to see what happens with everybody healthy, but understand if he can bring back a boatload of assets. FWIW, none of the players listed are the equivalent of AD, although they might meet some other needs. Plus, there is only one slot available after drafting Flagg.

Lively is another matter. DAL wandered in the no center wilderness for sooooo many years, post-Chandler. When we finally acquired someone with the skills to legitimize the 5 spot, who was young and would only get better, it was like sunshine after the storm. Getting Gafford to share the load only made them collectively better.