MAVS NEWS:

[KillerLeft]

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...

Actually, he did. Maybe not exact exact, but he suggested Dallas getting Zach LaVine and picks. I like your idea quite a bit better than that, lol...

He also thinks Risacher is too promising of an asset to give up for Anthony Davis.

[KillerLeft]

Here's the link. It's a good watch (thanks, Dan!).

I highly recommend the Lakers segment, which will resonate with many people here. 

https://youtu.be/gwl21_KQKuQ?si=BzFoQVq8-dyN6Glu

[ACMFFL]

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

Framework looks pretty good and fair in my opinion.
I'm fine even if the Kings pick goes to ATL, as long as we get the Pels 1st.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Actually, he did. Maybe not exact exact, but he suggested Dallas getting Zach LaVine and picks. I like your idea quite a bit better than that, lol...

He also thinks Risacher is too promising of an asset to give up for Anthony Davis.

Correct.  He predicts AD to Atlanta, but rejects KP/Risacher being the package.  He pivots to Trae to SAC and LaVine/Pick to Dallas.  But, that construct, while legal, leaves ATL in the tax.  I would predict more would be moving.  D'Lo fills a hole in the ATL back court created by Trae leaving.  ATL has too much tied up in bigs and needs to move some salary.  So, I moved Okongwo to help there (which might free up a Gafford trade).  The last element was Dallas moving on from Martin, which seemed reasonable with Atlanta moving on from Trae.  The outgoing salary of Okongwu made that possible.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Kevin OConner might be the worst NBA analyst/podcaster. I was so happy The Ringer got rid of him. I would not be surprised if he believes the moon landing was fake. Bro is a little off in the head.

[KillerLeft]

Kevin OConner might be the worst NBA analyst/podcaster.  I was so happy The Ringer got rid of him.  I would not be surprised if he believes the moon landing was fake.  Bro is a little off in the head.

Well, I don't know if he's the worst, but he did have that one kid Kammrath liked as the best player in that one draft. I can't even remember his name, lol. 

So yeah, gotta take O'Conner stuff for what it is.

[Mavs2021]

Well, I don't know if he's the worst, but he did have that one kid Kammrath liked as the best player in that one draft. I can't even remember his name, lol. 

So yeah, gotta take O'Conner stuff for what it is.

Killian Hayes.

[khaled1987]

Good info on the hypothetical trade...very interesting. 

The above is concerning. That's like the 3rd or 4th place I've seen that exact idea pop up. Someone from the Mavs is putting it out there and telling people it's likely.

I don't hate it, assuming we nail the pick next year. 
Coaches turning GM are usually very good in putting on a roster that fit the coach for winning, understanding the X and O of the games. 

It is good when you are trying to win IMO, however I don't know about it when you are rebuilding.

[mvossman]

I don't hate it, assuming we nail the pick next year. 
Coaches turning GM are usually very good in putting on a roster that fit the coach for winning, understanding the X and O of the games. 

It is good when you are trying to win IMO, however I don't know about it when you are rebuilding.

I don't know.  The only player acquisition associated with Kidd was McGee, which doesn't bode well.  We just had a GM with no prior experience and it was a total disaster.  I will be wildly disappointed if this is what we end up with.

[Jmaciscool]

The Ringer's doing one of their periodic pop culture/sports brackets, and this time the topic is Traitors (including both fictional and non-fictional variety). Nico is actually one of the entries, so if you want to vote for Nico then here you go. (Obviously this is just a silly/fun bracket, but it would be pretty funny if Nico ended up advancing):

https://www.theringer.com/2026/01/05/pop...ro-round-1

[Chicagojk]

Wow 11 pm ET game tonight. Ouch. Don’t know if I can make it for this one

[OBX Maverick]

According to The Athletic, Anthony Davis is set to play tonight against the 76ers.

Wow 11 pm ET game tonight.  Ouch. Don’t know if I can make it for this one

C’mon man, you can make it! I have to get up at 0600 EST tomorrow morning! If i can do it, so can you!!  Pre-game nap and 12 minute Power Nap at half time are the key…..

[Chicagojk]

What is everyone's thoughts on Brandon Williams?   Would you have interesting in signing him this offseason?

He has had some really nice games lately.   He has also probably been the better guard recently.   I prefer Nembhard by a pretty good sized margin over Williams, but need to give Williams some props.

Williams speed is definitely a huge plus.  He is also really good finishing at the rim.   I will not lie, I do get frustrated with this overall playmaking.   Nembhard despite his size is also a much better defender between the two.   I also get frustrated that he really knows one way to play.  That is to get into the lane and try to score.  He will make some nice passes at times, but his #1 is always to look to score first and second.   I made the comment that he reminds me of a point guard version of Jaden Hardy.  Due to his position and this teams lack of guards, he is more valuable then Jaden though.  

Williams is a little older than you think.   He is 26.

[Winter]

I thought Williams would make a significant stride forward, but his 3-point shot is so bad now that he should be the last guard to be playing at the end of a game (despite what happened last night). His best feature is a drive to the bucket, but it's all pretty one-dimesional. Your PG version of Hardy is a good comparison.

I can't fully understand why BWill stays in the game while Nembhard gets only 12 minutes. There probably is something I'm not seeing, or maybe this is something else. I mean it feels like Nembhard is the keeper, and BWill is the guy you might trade in the summer.

[KillerLeft]

Williams is interesting. The combo of speed and inside finishing ability isn't all that common, and he plays hard. Good guy to have around. But, his court vision is pretty lacking and his shooting just isn't anywhere near what it takes for an offense to scare opponents.

I guess I'd like to find a way to keep him, if it's for an end of bench cheap role, but then again, that might need to be reserved for Nembhard.

What I feel fairly strongly about right now is that at the start of next season neither of them should be one of the top two ball-handling guards on this roster, meaning they need Kyrie and another legit player ahead of them AT LEAST. I'd probably feel better if they added TWO impact ball-handlers to Kyrie, though I'm holding out hope that one of those guys (Nembhard seems closer, to me) can earn a chance to go into next season as the 3rd PG.

[KillerLeft]

I can't fully understand why BWill stays in the game while Nembhard gets only 12 minutes. There probably is something I'm not seeing, or maybe this is something else. I mean it feels like Nembhard is the keeper, and BWill is the guy you might trade in the summer.

I'm not always sure, either, but I've noticed that Williams is significantly less likely to be isolated and attacked on defense, so that probably has at least a little to do with it.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Williams from the bench is good, cheap contract.

[Winter]

I'm not always sure, either, but I've noticed that Williams is significantly less likely to be isolated and attacked on defense, so that probably has at least a little to do with it.

I think that happens, but that's a trade-off you make to have a smoother running offense. Nembhard looks and moves all over the court looking to get others involved. Bwill takes a quick look and tries to find a crease to the bucket.

Maybe Kidd is giving BWill as much exposure as possible... simply because when Kyrie is back, BWill is sitting. It's not as necessary to play Nembhard heavy minutes as the expectation is he will be playing with this group through next year I suspect. He's cheap, and he's serviceable as a short-minute PG. I'm not sure that's true of BWill at all. If the Mavs trade for another PG like White, then it's Kyrie, Coby, Nembhard. and BWill.  Somebody will likely disappear to the back of the bench very soon.

I'm spit-balling here.

Edit: Mavericks got a little relief with DPEs on Lively and Exum (this went through today and is official), and the they will obviously keep BWill through the season and his contract will now be "guaranteed" (also official today). I'm not sure how that changes the status of BWill as trade material if at all. Maybe something FG can describe.

[Smitty]

Kyrie Irving will NOT return before the trade deadline and might NOT play at all this season, per @BannedMacMahon

[FireNicoHarrison]

Kyrie Irving will NOT return before the trade deadline and might NOT play at all this season, per @BannedMacMahon

Good choice