Game 49: Dallas Mavericks (26-22) vs. Detroit Pistons (23-24)

[DanSchwartzgan]

I just don’t get it.  Although with Marshall not playing the 4, the news Mavs were looking for a very good wing defender told me one of those two are not here long.  I have really liked Grimes, even when his play is not great.  I think he fits this team as a high minute bench player.  In fact, if I had to pick between him and Marshall, I think I would pick Grimes.  I don’t think the team feels the same way and Kidd has been mostly right on what he wants to see.

The Maxi plus minimum guy (Hardy or OMax) type trade doesn’t get you to some of the players we’ve been linked to.  So, both the talk of needing a wing defender (as you point out) and the trade numbers seem to support the idea that either Grimes or Naji would need to be outgoing with Maxi.  I think the other clue is Grimes isn’t cost controlled going forward and some of the players we’ve been linked to are cost controlled.

So, if it is Grimes/Maxi, the shopping cart is limited to $15.2mm give or take a few dollars.  Does the Murray injury make it more likely NO trades Herb Jones?  He fits very nicely into the financial requirements and leaves you room to add a 15th guy.  I suspect their priority is figuring out the BI thing.   

It is easy enough to go to Spotrac and sort for player salaries and see who fits in this general area.  If people haven’t noticed yet, the Fanspo Trade Machine is much improved.  They now list ULI bonuses on the front page of the trade machine.  They also calculate apron impact before you even hit the Try Trade button.  It isn’t foolproof, but it does take away a couple of stumbling blocks to designing workable trades under the new rules.