Trade & FA 2024-25:

[mvossman]

Call it an overreaction if you want, there might be some validity to that. But, it is undeniable that something has to change for the Mavs, offensively. That's plain as day. Once you realize Grant isn't an option, due to his salary, the fact that he plays PJ's position and the trade cost (I just listened to a podcast that suggested Dallas has been calling Portland nonstop, and that Portland just doesn't like what Dallas has to offer), then I really don't see any attractive options out there to add offensive pop to the roster, other than just getting a third heliocentric guard to play behind Luka and Kyrie at the sacrifice of Hardy's last rookie contract year. I feel like that's just more of the same and highly unlikely to yield different results.  

Again, I'm only on board with this IF Jones is retained AND Klay understands that he's going to sit during crucial stretches when needed. Past that, you're still retaining DJJ and adding Grimes (whose POA defense you like, right?). I assume if Jones is back it will be with the understanding that he's coming back for a big role, minutes wise, and I think Grimes will get a huge chance to earn a role. I believe he'll prove more up to it than Green was, but time will tell. 

For all we know, this is "starting" but really just a suped up version of the Hardaway role (only from a forward spot, which will make rotations easier) and for all we know, Klay is cool with that. I'll worry about minutes/lineup combos if/when this is all official, but I think there's a way to make this work. 

As far as it being a Cuban move, I'd agree if this was instead of Jones, or more accurately, if they had paid a toll to dump Hardaway, not done anything else (like Grimes) and were planning to show up on Klay's doorstep as the clock made free agency legal to roll the dice, but this feels, to me, like borderline tampering, which as we all know is how the winning teams have been operating for years. It's important to remember that he (Klay) seems to be trying to find a way here. It's definitely not as sexy as it would be if he was 28-29, but it's still kind of a big deal, and he's got to understand that he's jumping onto a bus already moving pretty fast here. That's very likely why he's interested. I'm hopeful he understands that both the role and (hopefully) the salary amount will have to involve some sacrifice from him to be here, rather than in Orlando, but we'll see. 

What I can't believe people aren't seeing, is that this is EXTRA. You're already comparing it to things they could've done with the money, but they don't even have to spend the money. 48 hours ago we would've been happy just to know they found a way to dump THJ and re-sign DJJ, and now that they're going above and beyond that, we're pissed? The alternative might very well have been Grimes, DJJ, a vet minimum guy and then call it a summer. 

They're turning Josh Green and Kleber (a guy you, yourself have called a negative asset - I don't even agree with that) into Klay Thompson. I assume they're doing it because they think he helps shore up what they consider to be their biggest weakness, and I also assume Kyrie and Luka have both signed off on it. As long as they're not giving away their POA guy in Jones (and in fact, it seems as though they've added another one in Grimes) I don't get the angst. Yes, there's a chance he steals money for three years, but there's also a chance he makes a difference. They NEEDED more offense.

Calling this extra ignores opportunity cost. I would match rather go after someone like brogdon, who is much less risk, better fit (both team and Kyrie timeline). If that contract goes bad it hampers for years