(04-06-2021, 10:59 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Deron Williams was on the Ringer's podcast and delved into that 2012 offseason. He flat out said he was coming to Dallas and it was just a matter of feeling wanted. Remember he said he never felt comfortable on the Nets and they were losing big time and he always wanted to play for the Mavs.

He actually was house shopping and already bought a house in Dallas to prepare to move, but when Cuban and Dirk didn't show up to the meeting, and Nellie came in with no real concrete plan (Deron said "Nellie said to just trust us"), he went to the team that gave him an itemized list of what they were going to do the next 3 years.

It made Donnie look like an idiot.

(04-06-2021, 11:40 AM)Jason Terry Wrote: McDermott, Caruso, Green, Mills, Dragic, Batum, OPj, Oubre, Bjelica, Holmes, Theis, Olynyk are some others

(04-06-2021, 11:55 AM)StepBackJay Wrote: That's a perfect example. I am sure JJ did want to play with Jrue. But it's also true and he even said that they offered him the most money. So ya I "have a feeling" that if Jrue wasn't there he was going to still be signing with NO and have some other excuse why NO should move him 1 year later.

Again, I will say this a million times in polite society people don't want to admit they're about the money. I have no issue with JJ or Deron or anybody getting the most money but people don't like to say it out loud because it makes them feel like people will think they are shallow.

(04-06-2021, 12:04 PM)Tyler Wrote: None of the Deron story is new. And judging by how he played once he finally made it to Dallas just a few years later, I personally don't really think it worked out so poorly in retrospect.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/deron-williams-chose-nets-over-mavs-in-part-because-mark-cuban-skipped-meeting/

(04-06-2021, 12:06 PM)HanspardShowerVoice Wrote: As frustrating as it has been to miss out on Deron, D12 and Kemba while big game hunting, it's remarkable how many of these turned out blessings in disguise.

(04-06-2021, 11:09 AM)StepBackJay Wrote: This is an interesting point that should get fleshed out. I think its debatable whether operating over the cap is a big advantage.

So operating over the cap allows you to retain THJ and JR at any number you want to which could include higher dollar, shorter years which could advantage the Mavs. You additionally get that full MLE and the BAE available. My issue with that is that if Mavs did have to spend a good chunk of money on THJ and JR then they are likely going to take it easy on the MLE and BAE exceptions. That's because their salary rolls could get really high unless they can successfully dump Powell.

Operating with cap space can give you around that 37 mil mark plus the smaller MLE. I think that is still plenty of money to improve the roster. I don't think in terms of roster construction that over-the-cap is that much of an advantage. This would be a different situation if the Mavs were barely under the cap. Like let's say the Mavs could only carve out 10 million in cap space by renouncing their FA's. Well in that case you would probably try to figure out a way to keep some of your FAs while preserving the full MLE.

It really comes down to how much the Mavs value THJ and/or JR. I think they value them some but they also value the ability to chase what they view as star players (ie Collins). I don't believe the Mavs are scared of losing THJ/JR (ie bird in the hand) while they chase whoever their top target is this year. I am confident if those guys go elsewhere the Mavs can still build a good roster and one that has some flexibility. 

We don't want any bad contracts. In my opinion DP is the only bad contract we have right now and he's a year away from being a neutral contract at worst.

(04-06-2021, 12:08 PM)omahen Wrote: Counting JRich, WCS, Bey and Hinton we already have 13 players on our roster for next season.

(04-06-2021, 12:06 PM)HanspardShowerVoice Wrote: As frustrating as it has been to miss out on Deron, D12 and Kemba while big game hunting, it's remarkable how many of these turned out blessings in disguise.

(04-06-2021, 12:08 PM)omahen Wrote: Personally I see just two options. Either roll it back with same squad or go all in for major talent upgrade. Second strategy will probably result in several more years of team building, as losing THJ and JRich (assuming we use cap space to sign new guys) will be difficult to overcome in one summer. But it might have better long term results. Even if Luka and other youngsters continue to improve, does existing squad really have enough quality to be a serious contender?

(04-06-2021, 12:25 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: With Tyler Bey I have a sneaky feeling, he agreed to sign that 2-way, so he can become an RFA immediately and get out of Dallas. It does seem an rather unusual move for a franchise to offer a 36th pick just a 2-way and have the player readily accept it.

(04-06-2021, 12:20 PM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: I will say that I struggle to see where gutting a starter and a 6th man out of the rotation and trying to find 2 better players AND an MLE with $34 million in space is even doable...

IMO the ability to keep both pieces and Melli means that Dallas gets flexibility and can try to get a better shooting starter, or a big wing, or even upgrade over Powell/WCS with the MLE (or maybe just part of it - Dallas has a habit of keeping a chunk of exception available to bid over the minimum for waived players)...

(04-06-2021, 01:15 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: This.  I see two paths.  Let THJ and WCS go and you are at $19mm in space with JRich's $16mm cap hold.  If you sign him for something less or convince him to opt-in and extend, then you can get to where you can pay two players a little more than the MLE (in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king).   

The other path is bring everyone back and use the MLE for one player and a S&T of Redick for another.  I think we have a much better shot at getting value for Redick than we do for Powell.  Any team with KP on it will need three centers for KP's (seemingly) weekly day(s) off.  Plus, the monthly splits are trending better lately.  In March he was back to a Powell-Like .684 TS% and his O/D Ratings were 143/111 (also historically Powell-like).  I have no issue keeping Powell around except, I think we really need someone like Theis who can hit a 3 AND play great D at two positions if we plan to keep Melli in the backup minutes to Maxi.

(04-06-2021, 01:48 PM)Jason Terry Wrote: Anyone have an idea if we are able to bring back Bey on a two way or do we need to give him a proper contract? 

(04-06-2021, 01:36 PM)omahen Wrote: But what if this team gets another first round exit (or less)? Where will the improvement come from? Will one MLE guy really move the needle? Will Luka and Brunson really make another level of play each season? The rest are not getting any younger as THJ, Kleber and Powell will be 30 next season.

I think unless they show they are really close, I am actually more inclined to talent infusion scenario at a cost of additional couple of years of team building. Successful talent infusion scenario, to be clear. Not one where they say they already had a deal but (insert RFA name) rather signed with (insert team name) at last minute.

(04-06-2021, 02:26 PM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: The good news is that we will know the outcome of that scenario before the decision has to be made...

(04-06-2021, 02:26 PM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: Personally, a competitive 4-2 loss to Utah, LAL, or LAC is growth enough to try and get a top 4 seed the following year with an upgrade via the MLE.

(04-06-2021, 02:26 PM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE there is a FA worthy of sacrificing 3 slots (THJ, JRich, and the FULL MLE) that are higher than the Room Exception.