(07-01-2025, 08:56 AM)Winter Wrote: Nuggets hire Barea as assistant coach

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/07/nuggets-to-hire-j-j-barea-as-assistant-coach.html

(07-01-2025, 09:44 AM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: How did NIco et al not see that those chose Hardy over Grimes?  Of course Grimes would be more expensive, but do we know the offer Grimes turned down?

(07-01-2025, 09:45 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: And Dudley is still in the running for one of their other spots.  I have no idea what we are doing with the coaching staff.  Sometimes change (even with a good staff) can be good.   I don't know if we are not offering $ or extensions.   Or if there is some doubt internally of future leadership.   Or just Kidd letting his assistants spread their wings and experience another organization.    Regardless, I will be very disappointed if they don't have a strong staff starting a new era.   I would especially like really strong first assistant.

(07-01-2025, 09:20 AM)FireNicoHarrison Wrote: The problem was never Harrison , Lakers&NBA need Luka to LA.

Harrison made a lot of good moves.

(07-01-2025, 09:59 AM)Winter Wrote: What I read was that new ownership did not initially renew or extend coaches contracts. In other industries, this is not particularly uncommon. It usually means new ownership wants to evaluate what they have before giving extensions - seeing if salaries line up with other teams.

I'm not sure if that's actually the norm when NBA ownserships change hands. Maybe, but I kind of suspect it's not. What I do know from the Marshall interview posted a few days ago, is that much of the Mavericks staff were left "adrift" after the sale. No one was sure what was going on. When the Doncic trade occurred, it was general chaos for the Mavericks media people and the assistant coaches.

My guess is that they are just now climbing out of a deep management hole. It may not have trickled down to players, but staff members were still pretty bruised up until the draft (according to the Marshall interview on youtube).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Co-rYRQ6o&t=553s

(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, 10:07 AM)DallasMaverick Wrote: I guess I’m confused.

(07-01-2025, 09:20 AM)FireNicoHarrison Wrote: The problem was never Harrison , Lakers&NBA need Luka to LA.

Harrison made a lot of good moves.

(07-01-2025, 10:49 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: The best moves he made were trading for PJ and Gafford and signing Marshall.   The NBA took pity on him after the Luka trade, and he lucked into Flagg.  All other details will be determined at a later date.

(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).

(07-01-2025, 10:51 AM)FireNicoHarrison Wrote: Irving trade was fantastic too...

(07-01-2025, 11:47 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: A year ago we would have thought it crazy DLo would sign here for $5mm.

I'm going to wait until at least the TDL to determine the wisdom of the Grimes/Martin deal.  I think he's a neutral asset, but that could certainly depreciate if he never plays.  I've always thought he was brought here to maintain an ability to trade for something that Grimes didn't provide given how difficult S&T's are now.  The current window (that isn't even 24 hours old yet) isn't the only timeframe to benefit from having his salary available to make a deal.

(07-01-2025, 09:07 AM)Smitty Wrote: I think I can be talked into including Max in the deal for Herb. To me, he's the perfect guy to pair with Kyrie in the starting group.

Kyrie - DLo
Herb - Klay
Flagg - Naji
AD - PJW
Lively - Gafford

In the starting group I see two offensive creators in Kai and Flagg. Plenty of offense when you combine AD. Then 4 very good/elite defenders surrounding Kyrie. Herb being the "POA" guy.
Off the bench you have another playmaker in DLo & secondary ball handler in Naji. PJ provides scoring off the bench. Klay being the knockdown shooter. It’s just really well balanced.
AD playing a lot more 5, with less Gafford minutes in the playoffs. I like it.

If I was running an 8-man playoff rotation, I'd drop Gafford and Naji. I'd start PJ at the 4 and AD at the 5, to add more shooting in the starting lineup. DLo, Klay, & Lively off the bench.

(07-01-2025, 11:56 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: It turned out to be. Nobody knew what to expect before Kyrie got here.

(07-01-2025, 12:08 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I think that is a championship team with a healthy Kyrie.  I really do.  All that really happened there was we gained the spread between Jones and Christie and move Klay to the bench.  I think that spread is substantial, but not crazy.  It shows me that I must also think the team with an improved Christie isn't that bad.

This plays to something I've been pondering.  It makes sense to hold onto Christie and the pick for the next iteration of the team once AD/Kyrie/Klay move on.  But, I can also see the argument for using assets like that to give you the best shot you can get to win a championship during this window.  The question to me is what realistic trade target is out there who is logical from a positional standpoint and give you enough spread over the outgoing that it is worth moving some of our future assets?

(07-01-2025, 12:20 PM)Winter Wrote: The Athletic came out with short article by Jason Quick on Ayton leaving Portland

"As Quick details, the former No. 1 overall pick was reportedly late to team flights and practices, skipped injury rehab appointments, and threw “tantrums” in the locker room when he was benched for poor effort. He also had little self-awareness about his role, says Quick, having envisioned himself as the team’s “cornerstone” when he joined the Blazers ahead of the 2023/24 season."

I'm sure Lakers fans are going to love this....