MAVS NEWS:

[Winter]

I'm watching a Kevin O'Connor pod from a couple of days ago.  One prediction for every NBA team.  One cool data point he brought up...Flagg is third in the NBA in points per shot allowed in isolation at .70 ppa.  Only Gobert and Sarr.  WOW!


His Mav's prediction was that Kidd moves to the GM spot after the season with Sweeny returning as head coach.

Atlanta prediction was trade for AD, but he doesn't think they do KP/Risacher as is often reported.  Instead, his prediction for the Kings is they trade for Trae with LaVine going to Dallas.  He didn't specify the exact deal, so I'm proposing something along the lines of:

Dallas sends AD, Martin, DLo to Atlanta 

Atlanta sends Trae to Sacramento and Okongwu, Newell and a pick to Dallas (Atlanta avoids the LT)

Sac sends LaVine and a pick to Dallas (Kings also avoid the tax)

So, Dallas gets off of Martin and DLo contracts and adds a 25 year old Center, a 30 year old SG with a year left after this one and Cooper's old HS running buddy at PF.  I've never been a LaVine guy and I don't like the fit with Kyrie or moving Max out of the starting lineup.  But, he's probably better than Trae here and we could really use some offensive creation.  He'd also be an expiring scorer in the summer that you might talk someone into.  LaVine is also a tank commander in that his On Court  numbers are always just awful.  But, if you get the premium Atlanta pick in 2026, then you might have to eat a turd.

I don't love this unless the picks are premium.  The question is how much would SAC really have to give up to move from LaVine to Trae?  I don't need the pick to necessarily be 2026.  Any future Kings pick has the chance of being premium and we don't have a pick in 2027 right now.  That is probably where I'd go with them.  If it is say Top-4 protected, what are the conversion rights if not conveyed?  Or, is it a swap in 28 or 30 when we'd be giving up the OKC and SA picks in exchange for the King's pick.  I'd be fine with that

I like Okongwu... better than almost everything else I've seen offered. Newell needs some work, but I like him too. 

I also would prefer Sac's 2027 pick, but I'm less concerned about that if the offer includes Okongwu. He can score and rebound and has range facing the basket. He complements a guy like Cisse who is clearly a rim protector at present.