Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
The Lakers are discussing trades with the Blazers, Nets and Jazz, per @jovanbuha

“It’s too early to write the Lakers off, of course. There’s always a chance they pull a rabbit out of a hat with a trade or signing. They have been active in recent days, discussing potential deals with Portland, Brooklyn and Utah, among other teams, according to league and team sources.”

(Via http://nyti.ms/3XNgakR)

[Halfnir]

NOTE: imo they really don't have under-apron money to fill slot 15 with anyone until the back half of the season and 10-day contracts.

Just to see if understand it correctly: 

- you have $3,701,258 Apron1 room, but also using a $1M apron cushion. I assume the later is safety measure for roster legality, but it could be reduced if transactions are settled or you are 100% sure that all numbers add up correctly as a team, right?

- As we are hard-capped at apron 1, no exceptions can be used to bypass this number (no Bird rights, TPE, BAE, remaining MLE, Minimum Excpetion etc.)

- Minimum salary is between $1,157,153 (0 years experience) and $3,303,771 (10+ years). So could fit 2 minimum salaries into spot 14 and 15, but only guys with limited experience. A 5 year guy ($2,425,403) and a rookie would fit. A 10+ year veteran and a rookie would fit, but reduce the apron cushion significantly (to ~$250k). 2x 5+ year guys would not fit at all.

[BigDirk41]

DSJ is a really good defender now, can score one on one, super athletic and can catch lobs. We all love the lobs from Luka and Kyrie. If Luka requested DSJ, it has to happen. I don't ever hear about him doing anything like that.

[Mavs2021]

Lowry definitely has the experience factor over DSJ. And one could argue he has a better 3pt shot.

But today as a defender I think DSJ has beaten him out. Plus you gotta consider if Luka is requesting a guy, something he rarely (if ever) does, then that should bump him to the top of the list.

Last three years on three different teams; his defensive OB/OFF numbers as a back-up were excellent on all of them. He actually brings exactly what we need. A smaller guard that can run the 2nd unit offense and play some possessional pitbull defense on the smaller quicker guards in the league. He actually became the player I saw on draft night, good passer and defender, but bad shooter. If he had learned how to shoot, his ceiling would have been like a Sexton or Garland.

He´s probably still friends with Luka. Maybe time Luka puts his weight down. DSJ would be an excellent signing imho.

[Mavs2021]

DSJ is a really good defender now, can score one on one, super athletic and can catch lobs. We all love the lobs from Luka and Kyrie. If Luka requested DSJ, it has to happen. I don't ever hear about him doing anything like that.

Question is can he throw lobs now? Hardy has gotten a bit better at it, as we saw in the play-offs. DSJ had/has the same fifth row bullets calibration on his lob passes.

[BigDirk41]

Question is can he throw lobs now? Hardy has gotten a bit better at it, as we saw in the play-offs. DSJ had/has the same fifth row bullets calibration on his lob passes.

Haha that's a good question and one I have no answer on.  Maybe someone that has followed him closer will know. I've seen him play here and there and noticed the things I pointed out, but I really can't recall him throwing a lob in the games I watched. 5th row lobs are only funny when it's the opponent.

[SkenfromLMF]

Just to see if understand it correctly: 

- you have $3,701,258 Apron1 room, but also using a $1M apron cushion. I assume the later is safety measure for roster legality, but it could be reduced if transactions are settled or you are 100% sure that all numbers add up correctly as a team, right?

- As we are hard-capped at apron 1, no exceptions can be used to bypass this number (no Bird rights, TPE, BAE, remaining MLE, Minimum Excpetion etc.)

- Minimum salary is between $1,157,153 (0 years experience) and $3,303,771 (10+ years). So could fit 2 minimum salaries into spot 14 and 15, but only guys with limited experience. A 5 year guy ($2,425,403) and a rookie would fit. A 10+ year veteran and a rookie would fit, but reduce the apron cushion significantly (to ~$250k). 2x 5+ year guys would not fit at all.

Minimum salaries are all calculated at the 2 yr veteran slot for Apron purposes (EXCEPT DRAFT PICKS). So Advija (2nd rd pick) would count at his actual salary if he were signed, but any FA will basically count 2.1 million for a minimum salary slot.

[michaeltex]

Lowry definitely has the experience factor over DSJ. And one could argue he has a better 3pt shot.

But today as a defender I think DSJ has beaten him out. Plus you gotta consider if Luka is requesting a guy, something he rarely (if ever) does, then that should bump him to the top of the list.

I get that Luka suggested DSJ, so he'll at least be considered. I do wonder if there is any lingering DSJ resentment about getting displaced by Luka as the DAL star has resolved.

[BigDirk41]

I get that Luka suggested DSJ, so he'll at least be considered. I do wonder if there is any lingering DSJ resentment about getting displaced by Luka as the DAL star has resolved.

From my research this morning, there wasn't real animosity between Luka and DSJ. It was more Rick driving a wedge between them, Luka not liking how Rick treated the other players and Rick even telling DSJ that he was jealous of Luka in front of the entire team. I think Luka and DSJ still like each other. I don't think Luka would have requested him if there was a beef there.

Also, if Luka actually requested DSJ and this isn't some made up rumor, Nico will sign him assuming DSJ is interested also. There won't be a consideration. You don't consider stuff for your generational talent that never asks for specific players. Especially when said player is affordable.

[michaeltex]

From my research this morning, there wasn't real animosity between Luka and DSJ. It was more Rick driving a wedge between them, Luka not liking how Rick treated the other players and Rick even telling DSJ that he was jealous of Luka in front of the entire team. I think Luka and DSJ still like each other. I don't think Luka would have requested him if there was a beef there.

Thanks for sharing!

[BigDirk41]

Thanks for sharing!

Rick sounds like he was a real asshole to play for.

[Dirknows]

From my research this morning, there wasn't real animosity between Luka and DSJ. It was more Rick driving a wedge between them, Luka not liking how Rick treated the other players and Rick even telling DSJ that he was jealous of Luka in front of the entire team. I think Luka and DSJ still like each other. I don't think Luka would have requested him if there was a beef there.

Also, if Luka actually requested DSJ and this isn't some made up rumor, Nico will sign him assuming DSJ is interested also. There won't be a consideration. You don't consider stuff for your generational talent that never asks for specific players. Especially when said player is affordable.

Also, if there was ever any jealousy on DSJ's side, that probably has subsided considering Luka is a top-3 player in the league. DSJ may have thought he could have been the guy, but it probably took about 2 minutes of being in practice with him to realize how good Luka was.

[Arioch]

Does anyone have the exact wording on the Luka-DSJ report? Because as others have said, I don't remember Luka ever publicly saying anything about personnel decisions. Seems very happy (and even determined) to keep his distance from that whole potential landmine field.

[SleepingHero]

Just to see if understand it correctly: 

- you have $3,701,258 Apron1 room, but also using a $1M apron cushion. I assume the later is safety measure for roster legality, but it could be reduced if transactions are settled or you are 100% sure that all numbers add up correctly as a team, right?

- As we are hard-capped at apron 1, no exceptions can be used to bypass this number (no Bird rights, TPE, BAE, remaining MLE, Minimum Excpetion etc.)

- Minimum salary is between $1,157,153 (0 years experience) and $3,303,771 (10+ years). So could fit 2 minimum salaries into spot 14 and 15, but only guys with limited experience. A 5 year guy ($2,425,403) and a rookie would fit. A 10+ year veteran and a rookie would fit, but reduce the apron cushion significantly (to ~$250k). 2x 5+ year guys would not fit at all.

Vet mins cap out at 2,087,519. Yes a 10 year vet will get 3.3 mil, but the NBA office pays the difference, and thus the increased salary does not affect the cap.

[SleepingHero]

Does anyone have the exact wording on the Luka-DSJ report? Because as others have said, I don't remember Luka ever publicly saying anything about personnel decisions. Seems very happy (and even determined) to keep his distance from that whole potential landmine field.

All Things Mavs (@All_Things_Mavs)
MacMahon says his understanding is that Luka Doncic is “pretty ecstatic” about the Klay Thompson addition

He also says he threw out Dennis Smith Jr.‘s name as an addition to the roster to “someone in the organization and it didn’t get shot down.”


Stems from this tweet, which is quoting MacMahon on his podcast. I haven't listened to the podcast so I don't know exactly what MacMahon said.

[Mavs2021]

I get that Luka suggested DSJ, so he'll at least be considered. I do wonder if there is any lingering DSJ resentment about getting displaced by Luka as the DAL star has resolved.

Luka and DSJ are friends. There were even rumours that Luka (like with Mejri) was pissed at how Carlisle handled that situation and how that whole trade unfolded. There was never any problem between them afaik; on the contrary.

God this franchise was such a mess. Who can forget the pre-FA thrift store purchase of VAJ that Cuban celebrated like he just signed 2002 Shaq, while Julius Randle and Brook Lopez signed contracts for half the money combined a few days later.

[SleepingHero]

NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
The Houston Rockets are unlikely to extend max contracts to Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, per @KellyIko

“At this stage, it’s unlikely either Şengün or Green receive max rookie extensions — both are eligible for a five-year deal worth up to $224.2 million, per The Athletic’s salary cap expert Danny LeRoux. Houston has had conversations with both camps concerning an extension and will continue dialogue during the offseason, but the chances of either player inking an agreement in the realm of fellow 2021 draftees Cade Cunningham ($236 million) or Scottie Barnes (potentially up to $270 million) are slim.”

(Via http://nyti.ms/4eKC7XQ)

[SleepingHero]

NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
PJ Tucker has most likely played his last game as a Clipper, per @LawMurrayTheNU

“While Tucker opted into the final year of a deal that will pay him $11 million in a season when he will turn 40, the Clippers are expected to part ways with him this offseason, either via a trade or the stretch provision, according to a team source.”

(Via http://nyti.ms/3zAcJ6R)

[BPo001]

Does anyone have a source where Luka said he wants DSJ back? I’ve never seen that report. For the record I’d love DSJ back.

[MaxiThreeba]

All Things Mavs (@All_Things_Mavs)
MacMahon says his understanding is that Luka Doncic is “pretty ecstatic” about the Klay Thompson addition

He also says he threw out Dennis Smith Jr.‘s name as an addition to the roster to “someone in the organization and it didn’t get shot down.”


Stems from this tweet, which is quoting MacMahon on his podcast. I haven't listened to the podcast so I don't know exactly what MacMahon said.

This reads like MacMahon is the one who threw out DSJ to someone, not Luka.

I’m not digging through podcast audio but I’m sure someone who listens to Tim’s stuff can quickly confirm that.