MAVS NEWS:

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

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?

[Chicagojk]

Nuggets hire Barea as assistant coach

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/07/nugg...coach.html

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.

[FireNicoHarrison]

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?

Grimes seeks a 25M contract...

[Winter]

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.

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

[DallasMaverick]

The problem was never Harrison , Lakers&NBA need Luka to LA.

Harrison made a lot of good moves.

I guess I’m confused.

[Chicagojk]

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

I have been digging my head in a hole with non basketball stuff.  Probably not wise.  You have the Nico thing and I am already not a fan of the owners.  They make it so easy to leave being a fan....if they only didn't hit the lottery.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

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. 

Why not? N.O. is giving away such great gifts, and making such prudent decisions... They're building a winner down there.  

[FireNicoHarrison]

I guess I’m confused.

Harrison was just a puppet in that deal, he is not so stupid to trade Doncic for street clothes+a prospect+FRP.
Come on.

But he has to go anyway.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The problem was never Harrison , Lakers&NBA need Luka to LA.

Harrison made a lot of good moves.

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.

[FireNicoHarrison]

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.

Irving trade was fantastic too...

[FireNicoHarrison]

He built a perennial contender. Don't forget it.

Someone had another plan for us and the league.

[myconsumerclub]

So the league is jealous of our size. Makes me want to search for an old Jethro Tull song called Thick as a brick. They should play it at games now as an inside joke.

[DanSchwartzgan]

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).

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.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Irving trade was fantastic too...

It turned out to be. Nobody knew what to expect before Kyrie got here.

[mvossman]

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.

We need to at least wait and see what happens with Grimes.  Worst case they lose him for nothing, but I think they end up with something out of it.  The thing is, Grimes was an asset.  He was playing well above his contract value and was restricted the following year.  If the goal was to get 10 mil in trade fodder, I have no idea why Nico would need to send an asset and then attach another asset in a high second round pick.  Even if they manage to send Martin in a trade without adding an asset, the Grimes trade is still a fail.

[DanSchwartzgan]

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.

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?

[FireNicoHarrison]

It turned out to be. Nobody knew what to expect before Kyrie got here.

It was an home run, i was excited when Harrison made that trade.

We gave up basically nothing special... 2 role players and and high FRP for a superstar. 
Low risk high reward.

[mvossman]

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?

I would be worried about spacing with that starting lineup.  Herb has shot over 34% once in his career.  Couple that with two non shooting bigs and you could have a problem.  That's why I liked your Derrick White trade better, although Jones is 4 years younger.

[Chicagojk]

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....

That is terrible.  I can find away to explain away why PHX failed.   He is not blameless, but I can explain it.  To see he went to Portland (who was a non contender) and did not ball out tells me a lot about him.   That guy has near all star potential if he is just engaged and tries.   His next step is going to be really important for him.

[BigDirk41]

I quit posting for a long time because I was so fed up with the Luka trade and everything out of my mouth was negative so I just sat back and read messages. I absolutely hate Nico and I truly hope he gets fired. He's a F'n moron. That being said, by the grace of God, a miracle or a rigged NBA (not trying to debate this one), how anyone could be disappointed with the current team is beyond crazy. This team is loaded beyond belief. Once Kyrie returns and DLo returns to the bench, we have to have the best 10 deep team in the league. Does that mean we are the best team in the league, no absolutely not. It just means the talent is there if they can figure out how to use it. Whatever happens, we have the best American prospect since LeBron. I'm not trying to tell anyone how to be a fan, but by some miracle this team is set up better than when Luka was here and I give ZERO credit to Nico for that. Maybe we have to move some pieces for better fits, but the talent is undeniable on this team.