(07-01-2025, 06:17 AM)ballsrchr Wrote: This is a very good question.  And one that I have no answer to.  None of our current team has shown any leadership abilities, or even inclination to be a leader.

It seemed Kyrie fell into that position naturally as time went on.  He'll be out for a while.  

I would like to say PJW, but I simply don't know if he can, or will.

AD?....nawwwww.  Klay?...no.  Gafford?...I don't think so.

I don't know anything about DLo except that he used to piss me off sometimes when playing against the Mavs.

Can a rookie be a/the leader?  Man...that would be putting a lot on CF--and I'm worried that some of us already have unrealistic expectations for him.

I think I'm going to hide and watch for awhile.  Hope that a leader drops out of the sky.  A headless snake is dangerous...but it's...headless.

(07-01-2025, 05:49 AM)Winter Wrote: Who is going to be the on-court leader of this team to start the season?

(07-01-2025, 07:31 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: My bigger concern is what happens in the last five minutes of games.   Even when Kyrie is back, but especially when he is not.   I think this wil be really tricky and not neccesary great either.

(07-01-2025, 07:43 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: https://x.com/All_Things_Mavs/status/1939978908830466359


I don't know if that link will work, but it is 18 minutes of Dlo to AD passes.  I've never been a fan, but that doesn't mean this can't work.

I like the graphic (1st team, 2nd team) that Smitty posted.  Every player on the second unit has or can start for a playoff team.  That is strong.

I looked ahead to 2nd apron for 26/27.  We are over by $4mm.  Assumptions are Powell is replaced by a pick, OMax is replaced by a Vet Min (he is TO and would make $5.2mm if he's not traded).  I have DLo staying on a non-Bird 20% raise.

The real apron issue is Martin at $10mm plus a $1.3m LTBA Bonus.  He's the only player with a bonus next year at this point.  He's basically the 11th/12th man at this point, though he would have been in the second unit had we not landed Flagg.  His contract is a nice size for trades as it pairs well with others to increase outgoing salary.  I guess he could move up the pecking order if PJ doesn't extend, but I think his best value is as outgoing trade matching.  That wasn't something you were going to get with Grimes.

(07-01-2025, 07:53 AM)Smitty Wrote: I was just thinking about a Martin trade, that also clears a roster spot. 

Martin+Hardy+FRP for Herb Jones (A known Nico target)

Doesn't help your A2 issue next season, and it bumps one of those in that Top-10 photo to number 11, but it solves the POA defense issue (a better DJJ) and gets you off Martin's ~$10M PO in 27-28.

IDK, maybe I'm just bored. 

(07-01-2025, 08:04 AM)FireNicoHarrison Wrote: Very good depth roster.

(06-30-2025, 05:57 PM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: Listening to this DLLS podcast and I guess I need to mentally prepare myself for this season being a gap year.  All three guys have the Mavs around .500 and as a play in team.

(06-30-2025, 07:20 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: THE MAVS CURRENT ROTATION WHEN HEALTHY

PG: Kyrie - DLO - Brandon Williams
SG: Klay - Christie - Hardy
SF: Flagg - Naji - Martin
PF: AD - PJ - Prosper
C: Lively II - Gafford - Powell

I cannot stress enough how much Flagg changed the trajectory and ceiling for this team. Holy crap what a freaking longshot.

(07-01-2025, 05:49 AM)Winter Wrote: Who is going to be the on-court leader of this team to start the season?

(07-01-2025, 08:03 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I think if I'm going there that I need the acquired player to obviously join the top 10 (if not the top 7/8).  I'd love to hear that we have an extension agreement with PJW (end of August is a long time to wait).  To me, you combine Martin with someone like PJ (if he won't extend) or Klay or Max.  If PJ stays, then the Klay/Max slots are the next weakest link IMHO.  Trading Klay is a tricky proposition.  I really like Max, but if you could land Herb Jones for Martin, Max and pick, then that works better in terms of using the outgoing salary in a way that is useful to the roster (and New Orleans).

(07-01-2025, 08:07 AM)DallasMaverick Wrote: Nico knows what he’s doing.

(07-01-2025, 07:43 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: https://x.com/All_Things_Mavs/status/1939978908830466359


I don't know if that link will work, but it is 18 minutes of Dlo to AD passes.  I've never been a fan, but that doesn't mean this can't work.

I like the graphic (1st team, 2nd team) that Smitty posted.  Every player on the second unit has or can start for a playoff team.  That is strong.

I looked ahead to 2nd apron for 26/27.  We are over by $4mm.  Assumptions are Powell is replaced by a pick, OMax is replaced by a Vet Min (he is TO and would make $5.2mm if he's not traded).  I have DLo staying on a non-Bird 20% raise.

The real apron issue is Martin at $10mm plus a $1.3m LTBA Bonus.  He's the only player with a bonus next year at this point.  He's basically the 11th/12th man at this point, though he would have been in the second unit had we not landed Flagg.  His contract is a nice size for trades as it pairs well with others to increase outgoing salary.  I guess he could move up the pecking order if PJ doesn't extend, but I think his best value is as outgoing trade matching.  That wasn't something you were going to get with Grimes.

(07-01-2025, 09:36 AM)mvossman Wrote: I think it's unlikely Dlo stays.  His 120% is roughly 7 mil.  It will be disappointing if he is not worth more than that after this season.  

I'm afraid Caleb is a negative asset right now, and I don't know how that is going to change with him buried on our depth chart.  I would have greatly preferred air and the second (and possibly more).