Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SamStetz]

https://sports.yahoo.com/how-paul-george...52629.html

From Fischer: "And it’s shaping to be a fascinating mid-level market, especially with word circulating among league personnel that Thompson could be willing to take that amount in order to join the Lakers or Clippers. That would be a steep drop from the two-year, roughly $50 million offer Thompson declined at the start of this past season. He remains on the list of secondary wing options for Philly should George spurn the Sixers, sources said. Dallas appears to be the one of, if not the strongest suitors for Thompson, sources said."

“Dallas appears to be the one of, if not the strongest suitors for Thompson, sources said.

Dallas has plenty of work it's trying to do on the perimeter. The Mavericks already offloaded Tim Hardaway Jr. 's expiring $16.1 million contract to Detroit with three second-round picks, bringing back 24-year-old swingman Quentin Grimes, who’s entering the final year and $4.3 million of his rookie deal. Adding Grimes, through one lens, could also allow Dallas to part with Josh Green in order to upgrade the Mavericks’ contending roster with more championship-proven talent. A sign-and-trade scenario with Green serving as the outgoing salary could allow Dallas to furnish Thompson with a nice contract.

The Mavericks have been thinking pretty creatively about how to improve the roster surrounding Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving that reached the NBA Finals — while still retaining standout wing defender Derrick Jones Jr. The first step was moving Hardaway. If Caldwell-Pope had opted into his $15.4 million for 2024-25, the Mavericks were waiting at the front of the line to try to swing a trade with Denver to land his services, sources said. Thompson now appears to be the veteran wing most likely to join Dallas at this juncture.

All this tinkering originally had that backdrop of trying to reward Jones off his minimum-salary contract of 2023-24, but that will now feature some complications after the bouncy wing terminated his previous representation on June 26. By letter of the players’ union, Jones technically cannot sign with a new agent until 15 days after filing the paperwork to make a change in agency — which won’t be until after the NBA’s moratorium period is long over. It’s a developing situation worth monitoring.”

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
The Warriors could shift their focus to Zach LaVine or Brandon Ingram, per
@JakeLFischer


“The options range across a spectrum of upside, from sending out picks for Brandon Ingram to potentially acquiring one with Zach LaVine, sources said. But if no deal emerges, and the Warriors indeed lose Klay Thompson as Golden State and league personnel currently believe will occur, the Warriors are considering their best option.”

[KillerLeft]

I 100% think Thompson would be the starter, if he came here. But, it's not black-and-white. Starting doesn't necessarily mean finishing, as all Mavs fans know. There is certainly a point at which treating Thompson with too much reverence could be a negative, but I have to think they'll be upfront with him about their plans, and I have to think the team that put DJJ into the starting lineup and stopped playing Hardaway altogether has an understanding of what will work next to Luka/Kyrie that at least equals our own. This part doesn't worry me.

The lowering of DJJ on the priority list worries me, as does the nonchalant attitude about him popping up in this community. Yes, he's obviously a flawed player. I was one of the few saying that a year ago. But, his defense was not something the Mavs will be able to replicate with Naji Marshall (who I like, actually) or anyone else they can get this summer. We are forgetting the impact this man just made here. He fit with Luka/Kyrie the same way Tyson Chandler fit with Dirk, at least on one end of the floor, and he's only 27. I really believe his shooting can improve. I'm gong to be disappointed if the Mavs lose him - a lesser role, sure, but they need him, imho.

The wide range of what to expect in any Thompson deal worries me. The optimistic views seem to have that $16 million(ish) range to start, with only Green outgoing and maybe a 2nd or two. That is a good deal, imo, and that's before we even get into how much of years 2 and 3 of Thompson's contract are guaranteed. You can't complain about that. But, I'm also seeing people thinking it's going to be $20 million per...$23 million per...$25 million per...MORE? That starts to get scary, and that also makes it harder to envision that he'd be coming in with the mindset of platooning with other forwards, as needed (whether starting or not). Also, I really, really hope giving Josh Green to GS (if that's the way this is done) for a player they're losing anyway doesn't require paying them a first round pick for their "trouble." Now THAT would be a Cuban move.

Jason Timpf is saying that Klay is a much better fit for LAL than he would be in Dallas, due to the differences in their offensive systems. As long as this isn't the sign of some new system change, I agree with him. Klay will basically be used here the way Hardaway was, and I wonder if he might not look a little more Hardaway-like than we think, but that's not my point here. If Klay, himself, believes the LAL offense is the best fit, it seems to me he has three choices:

1) Lakers - stay in Cali, his Dad calls games for the radio, play with LeBron, everything that comes (good and bad) with being a Laker, probably the lowest number, contractually

2) Dallas - current best team available to him, probably a little more money than LAL

3) Orlandon - most money, by FAR, and biggest need for him in terms of giving him a meaty role, I'd assume.

Where Dallas can really get in trouble here, I think, is becoming desperate enough to stray from that middle lane. If they try to compete with LAL by nudging their offer towards that "Orlando-style" offer, this could get ugly. I'm comfortable with the idea of figuring out what the Lakers can (realistically) accomplish to get him and beating that by a little. Then, you let him decide and live with the results. That approach should give them a good shot at him and allow for a Jones re-signing. But, some of this Stein stuff is reading to me like this is going to turn into a bidding war. I'm not liking that.

[DanSchwartzgan]

https://sports.yahoo.com/how-paul-george...52629.html


From Jake Fischer:


“Dallas appears to be the one of, if not the strongest suitors for Thompson, sources said.

It feels more and more likely all the time.  To me, structure of the deal is the most fascinating thing.

Is it the $16.2mm/$10.5mm split I've mentioned where we use some of the NT MLE for DJJ/Marshall with Green gone?

Is it the trade matching version where Thompson is part of a 3-way making about $14mm and we either keep Green or move him to keep the NT MLE for DJJ/Marshall.

Is it a version where we don't keep Green or the ability to use the big MLE and make the deal THJ/Green outgoing matching Grimes/Thompson incoming with Thompson starting at about $24.5mm

Is it like the one above except Powell is outgoing instead of Green and Thompson is back in the $16mm range. (but no NT MLE player unless you send out Green to create that).

Lots of ways to move the chess pieces around.  One thing though, we can't keep Priority 1A and 1B AND players 7 (Green) and 8 (Maxi) AND get Thompson.  I haven't figured a path to that one yet.  At least one of those four players will not be here.

[audiosway]

I 100% think Thompson would be the starter, if he came here. But, it's not black-and-white. Starting doesn't necessarily mean finishing, as all Mavs fans know. There is certainly a point at which treating Thompson with too much reverence could be a negative, but I have to think they'll be upfront with him about their plans, and I have to think the team that put DJJ into the starting lineup and stopped playing Hardaway altogether has an understanding of what will work next to Luka/Kyrie that at least equals our own. This part doesn't worry me.

The lowering of DJJ on the priority list worries me, as does the nonchalant attitude about him popping up in this community. Yes, he's obviously a flawed player. I was one of the few saying that a year ago. But, his defense was not something the Mavs will be able to replicate with Naji Marshall (who I like, actually) or anyone else they can get this summer. We are forgetting the impact this man just made here. He fit with Luka/Kyrie the same way Tyson Chandler fit with Dirk, at least on one end of the floor, and he's only 27. I really believe his shooting can improve. I'm gong to be disappointed if the Mavs lose him - a lesser role, sure, but they need him, imho.

The wide range of what to expect in any Thompson deal worries me. The optimistic views seem to have that $16 million(ish) range to start, with only Green outgoing and maybe a 2nd or two. That is a good deal, imo, and that's before we even get into how much of years 2 and 3 of Thompson's contract are guaranteed. You can't complain about that. But, I'm also seeing people thinking it's going to be $20 million per...$23 million per...$25 million per...MORE? That starts to get scary, and that also makes it harder to envision that he'd be coming in with the mindset of platooning with other forwards, as needed (whether starting or not). Also, I really, really hope giving Josh Green to GS (if that's the way this is done) for a player they're losing anyway doesn't require paying them a first round pick for their "trouble." Now THAT would be a Cuban move.

Jason Timpf is saying that Klay is a much better fit for LAL than he would be in Dallas, due to the differences in their offensive systems. As long as this isn't the sign of some new system change, I agree with him. Klay will basically be used here the way Hardaway was, and I wonder if he might not look a little more Hardaway-like than we think, but that's not my point here. If Klay, himself, believes the LAL offense is the best fit, it seems to me he has three choices:

1) Lakers - stay in Cali, his Dad calls games for the radio, play with LeBron, everything that comes (good and bad) with being a Laker, probably the lowest number, contractually

2) Dallas - current best team available to him, probably a little more money than LAL

3) Orlandon - most money, by FAR, and biggest need for him in terms of giving him a meaty role, I'd assume.

Where Dallas can really get in trouble here, I think, is becoming desperate enough to stray from that middle lane. If they try to compete with LAL by nudging their offer towards that "Orlando-style" offer, this could get ugly. I'm comfortable with the idea of figuring out what the Lakers can (realistically) accomplish to get him and beating that by a little. Then, you let him decide and live with the results. That approach should give them a good shot at him and allow for a Jones re-signing. But, some of this Stein stuff is reading to me like this is going to turn into a bidding war. I'm not liking that.

Nailed it. DJJ has to be back. No way around it. I also like Naji Marshall but you are spot on that it would be a downgrade defensively. He is one I've been interested in since the Finals ended. But, DJJ is part of the core of this team. I'm fine with Klay in the $16m-$18m range. But, when it gets up over $20m count me out. I'm also fine with Josh going out in a S&T. But, to start including an asset that hasn't been replaced (1st round pick) is where you lose me. Green has already been replaced with Grimes.

[Tyler]

Josh Mazur
@MazurFocus
Multiple people within the organization have told me that they believe DJJ is a done deal so they don’t feel obligated to start free agency with him anymore. There is a mutual sense of loyalty between camps after this season’s success. Jones has made it known he wants to stay.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I was one of the Klay deniers but I'm in for around 15 mil a year.
Was thinking it'd be more around 22 mil a year.

Bobby Marks says Dallas can have a $16.1 million trade exception. 

The Lakers have a $12.9 million MLE if Lebron takes a pay cut. 

If he doesn’t want to come to Dallas for more money than LA, I don’t want him. A three year deal starting at $16 million will also get him more total money than the $48 million Golden State offered him.

[SleepingHero]

@MazurFocus
Multiple people within the organization have told me that they believe DJJ is a done deal so they don’t feel obligated to start free agency with him anymore. There is a mutual sense of loyalty between camps after this season’s success. Jones has made it known he wants to stay.

[audiosway]

Josh Mazur
@MazurFocus
Multiple people within the organization have told me that they believe DJJ is a done deal so they don’t feel obligated to start free agency with him anymore. There is a mutual sense of loyalty between camps after this season’s success. Jones has made it known he wants to stay.

I have that feeling too. That's why I think none of the other teams mentioned anything about him. He understands the loyalty they have with him in that they gave him his first real opportunity to be part of a core.

[KillerLeft]

Josh Mazur
@MazurFocus
Multiple people within the organization have told me that they believe DJJ is a done deal so they don’t feel obligated to start free agency with him anymore. There is a mutual sense of loyalty between camps after this season’s success. Jones has made it known he wants to stay.

[KillerLeft]

@MazurFocus
Multiple people within the organization have told me that they believe DJJ is a done deal so they don’t feel obligated to start free agency with him anymore. There is a mutual sense of loyalty between camps after this season’s success. Jones has made it known he wants to stay.

I don't care that this was already posted. I appreciate the opportunity to like it twice.

[KillerLeft]

Bobby Marks says Dallas can have a $16.1 million trade exception. 

The Lakers have a $12.9 million MLE if Lebron takes a pay cut. 

If he doesn’t want to come to Dallas for more money than LA, I don’t want him. A three year deal starting at $16 million will also get him more total money than the $48 million Golden State offered him.

This is the point I was trying to make above, only you cut right to the heart of it. 100% agree.

[Deebo]

This is the point I was trying to make above, only you cut right to the heart of it. 100% agree.

Does thank mean gotta still trade Green to Goldenstate?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

We exchange him for THj, add Grimes,  and our defense is worse ?

THJ didn’t play in either of our playoff runs.  Klay will be taking minutes from better defenders. 

We have discussed this ad nauseam. Klay is an upgrade over THJ. But if THJ is cold, he can be benched. Klay cannot be benched (at least some of us think).

Edit: I should’ve kept reading. Dirkisfan said it already.

[KillerLeft]

It feels more and more likely all the time.  To me, structure of the deal is the most fascinating thing.

Is it the $16.2mm/$10.5mm split I've mentioned where we use some of the NT MLE for DJJ/Marshall with Green gone?

Is it the trade matching version where Thompson is part of a 3-way making about $14mm and we either keep Green or move him to keep the NT MLE for DJJ/Marshall.

Is it a version where we don't keep Green or the ability to use the big MLE and make the deal THJ/Green outgoing matching Grimes/Thompson incoming with Thompson starting at about $24.5mm

Is it like the one above except Powell is outgoing instead of Green and Thompson is back in the $16mm range. (but no NT MLE player unless you send out Green to create that).

Lots of ways to move the chess pieces around.  One thing though, we can't keep Priority 1A and 1B AND players 7 (Green) and 8 (Maxi) AND get Thompson.  I haven't figured a path to that one yet.  At least one of those four players will not be here.

Read this, Deebo. Lots of options. Any of the ones at that $16.2m number are the good ways to do this (imo).

[Deebo]

So who rather lose. Maxi or Green? Green is better and more potential but we kinda need a stretch big. We know Lively /gafford will miss some time with injuries etc. green seems repetitive with Klay/jones jr and grimes.

[KillerLeft]

So who rather lose. Maxi or Green?  Green is better and more potential but we kinda need a stretch big.  We know Lively /gafford will miss some time with injuries etc.  green seems repetitive with Klay/jones jr and grimes.

Personally, I think the Mavs are done with Green and he's gone no matter what happens. We'll know a lot in a couple of hours though.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Adrian Wojnarowski] ESPN Sources: Restricted free agent F Obi Toppin intends to sign a four-year, $60 million contract to stay with the Indiana Pacers. Toppin emerged as a top bench contributor for the Eastern Conference finalists.

[Mavs2021]

So who rather lose. Maxi or Green?  Green is better and more potential but we kinda need a stretch big.  We know Lively /gafford will miss some time with injuries etc.  green seems repetitive with Klay/jones jr and grimes.

I think GS wants Green. I´d prefer Kleber, since I still feel we have a shot at somebody like Jalen Smith using Dwight Powell´s contract.

[Mavs2021]

Adrian Wojnarowski] ESPN Sources: Restricted free agent F Obi Toppin intends to sign a four-year, $60 million contract to stay with the Indiana Pacers. Toppin emerged as a top bench contributor for the Eastern Conference finalists.

Yeah Jalen Smith 100% gone.