08-11-2021, 05:34 AM
Brian and Mark comment on the latest developments.
Luka Signing. This is the big news of the week. Puts the Mavs on the clock for building a contending team for Luka. Realistic deadline probably four years.
Press conference
Cuban said they wanted to surround Luka with shooting. What they actually badly need is a secondary playmaker, and that never came up. Probably just not the time and place. Doesn’t mean they’re not still looking for one. They should be.
Luka made a couple of remarks that could have been interpreted as an implied criticism of the level of chemistry on/off the court at the Mavs. English is his third language, and Dameris doesn’t think he really intended to take a shot at his teammates through the media. But they were interesting comments, nevertheless, and Nico/Kidd should take note.
Need for Secondary Playmaker
Probably Dragic or bust at this point. Mavs did not participate in a three-way with MIA/TOR. Mavs balked at giving up a FRP/promising player for a rental of a 35-year-old oft-injured guy who might be available for free before too long. He hasn’t played more than 50 games in any of the last three seasons, so health is a concern.
Dragic may get bought out at the TDL, at which time he may come here. Or, if he is not bought out, at least the price may come down at that point, and they can reconsider the trade. They don’t really need him until the playoffs, so the TDL might not be the worst outcome. At any rate, nothing is likely to happen in the short term on the Dragic front. If it does happen, the Mavs will have to create a roster spot for him.
Hardaway. Decreasing contract is a very team-friendly arrangement. Good negotiating by the Mavs, and good on Tim for being amenable to it. If he continues at his current level, the fourth year will be a steal.
Bullock. Third year only 50% guaranteed, which was a bit of team-friendly news.
Boban. Was initially reported as a minimum contract, but he got a little more. Might be a bit of an overpay, but it doesn’t affect their ability to make further moves.
Summer league. Not much worth focusing on there. May get another two-way out of it.
Markkanen
The Mavs have some interest, but it’s complicated to get there. Their trade exception is probably too small, and the Bulls don’t want to take salary back. The Bulls want at least one, and preferably two, first round picks for Lauri. Mavs probably aren’t going to give up two FRPs for Markkanen.
The Mavs don’t really have a need for an additional big, so not totally clear why they are interested. Maybe trying to accumulate assets, while they still can. Maybe they were considering Markkanen as a replacement for Maxi (whose contract expires after this season), before they knew Bulls weren’t interested in taking salary back. Anyway, not likely that this potential acquisition is going anywhere.
Tampering. Investigations ongoing over the Kyle Lowry and Lonzo Ball S&Ts. Chances the deals will be undone are close to zero. Unlikely to have an effect on the Mavs. If anything, the MIA tampering was probably good for the Mavs, as they were able to move on quickly from Kyle Lowry.
COVID. Mavs plan to play a pre-season game in Madrid and maybe a scrimmage in Slovenia, depending in both cases on the COVID situation. Luka should like that. Most of the restrictions stateside have expired. Uncertain whether the resurgence of the Delta variant will change anything.
New rule on cheap fouls. The new rule is designed to limit the James Harden tactic of an offensive player making a non-basketball move to draw a foul. Those plays will now be a no-call or an offensive foul, depending on the degree of contact. Luka is not the most egregious offender in this respect, but he does do some of that, and he will have to adjust to the new rule. He has a temper with the refs, and he may find it frustrating as he realizes that he isn't getting calls like that any more. Uncertain how rigorously the rule will be enforced. Free throws are already at or near an all-time low in the NBA, so this one may or not be enforced much after the first couple of weeks.
Cuban evaluates the offseason. Brian and Mark did not bring up Cuban’s curious statement at Luka’s press conference that the Mavs "have improved the team considerably."
Well, I don’t know about that. Nick and Isaac mentioned it on the Locked On podcast, and allowed that they could get down with that statement if “considerably” means somewhere around 10%.
Luka Signing. This is the big news of the week. Puts the Mavs on the clock for building a contending team for Luka. Realistic deadline probably four years.
Press conference
Cuban said they wanted to surround Luka with shooting. What they actually badly need is a secondary playmaker, and that never came up. Probably just not the time and place. Doesn’t mean they’re not still looking for one. They should be.
Luka made a couple of remarks that could have been interpreted as an implied criticism of the level of chemistry on/off the court at the Mavs. English is his third language, and Dameris doesn’t think he really intended to take a shot at his teammates through the media. But they were interesting comments, nevertheless, and Nico/Kidd should take note.
Need for Secondary Playmaker
Probably Dragic or bust at this point. Mavs did not participate in a three-way with MIA/TOR. Mavs balked at giving up a FRP/promising player for a rental of a 35-year-old oft-injured guy who might be available for free before too long. He hasn’t played more than 50 games in any of the last three seasons, so health is a concern.
Dragic may get bought out at the TDL, at which time he may come here. Or, if he is not bought out, at least the price may come down at that point, and they can reconsider the trade. They don’t really need him until the playoffs, so the TDL might not be the worst outcome. At any rate, nothing is likely to happen in the short term on the Dragic front. If it does happen, the Mavs will have to create a roster spot for him.
Hardaway. Decreasing contract is a very team-friendly arrangement. Good negotiating by the Mavs, and good on Tim for being amenable to it. If he continues at his current level, the fourth year will be a steal.
Bullock. Third year only 50% guaranteed, which was a bit of team-friendly news.
Boban. Was initially reported as a minimum contract, but he got a little more. Might be a bit of an overpay, but it doesn’t affect their ability to make further moves.
Summer league. Not much worth focusing on there. May get another two-way out of it.
Markkanen
The Mavs have some interest, but it’s complicated to get there. Their trade exception is probably too small, and the Bulls don’t want to take salary back. The Bulls want at least one, and preferably two, first round picks for Lauri. Mavs probably aren’t going to give up two FRPs for Markkanen.
The Mavs don’t really have a need for an additional big, so not totally clear why they are interested. Maybe trying to accumulate assets, while they still can. Maybe they were considering Markkanen as a replacement for Maxi (whose contract expires after this season), before they knew Bulls weren’t interested in taking salary back. Anyway, not likely that this potential acquisition is going anywhere.
Tampering. Investigations ongoing over the Kyle Lowry and Lonzo Ball S&Ts. Chances the deals will be undone are close to zero. Unlikely to have an effect on the Mavs. If anything, the MIA tampering was probably good for the Mavs, as they were able to move on quickly from Kyle Lowry.
COVID. Mavs plan to play a pre-season game in Madrid and maybe a scrimmage in Slovenia, depending in both cases on the COVID situation. Luka should like that. Most of the restrictions stateside have expired. Uncertain whether the resurgence of the Delta variant will change anything.
New rule on cheap fouls. The new rule is designed to limit the James Harden tactic of an offensive player making a non-basketball move to draw a foul. Those plays will now be a no-call or an offensive foul, depending on the degree of contact. Luka is not the most egregious offender in this respect, but he does do some of that, and he will have to adjust to the new rule. He has a temper with the refs, and he may find it frustrating as he realizes that he isn't getting calls like that any more. Uncertain how rigorously the rule will be enforced. Free throws are already at or near an all-time low in the NBA, so this one may or not be enforced much after the first couple of weeks.
Cuban evaluates the offseason. Brian and Mark did not bring up Cuban’s curious statement at Luka’s press conference that the Mavs "have improved the team considerably."
Well, I don’t know about that. Nick and Isaac mentioned it on the Locked On podcast, and allowed that they could get down with that statement if “considerably” means somewhere around 10%.
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