Trade & FA 2024-25:

[surfpuckmd]

https://x.com/dalton_trigg/status/1803958920538657209

Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg)
Paul George in Dallas doing the ESPN pregame / halftime stuff during the finals

Paul George saying he wants to go somewhere where they play basketball the right way

Windy saying there’s a player out there who could see himself fitting in nicely with this current Mavs group

reports today that Sixers are losing interest in pursuing George & Clippers being weird about giving him an extension

This would be amazing.

I want to believe you very badly.  I cannot imagine a better fit to this roster.  

I'll contribute to the GoFundMe to bring Paul George to Dallas.

[Chicagojk]

Probably can’t play any longer. Too bad. I thought he was finally finding a footing before he got injured

https://x.com/all_things_mavs/status/180...77678?s=46

[Luka77]

I want nothing to with Geriatric George. Much less trading away the rest of the Mavs assets for a player 34 y.o that has had one healthy season in the past 5.

[Jason Terry]

And for my last spam post:

Keep em coming

I keep thinking about Lavine. Not for us, but that it’s a massive contract that’s likely to change hands and it’s often 3 or more teams are involved in those

[F Gump]

Perhaps there is an Opt-in, trade, and extend scenario for the Clippers and Dallas.

Mavs have to send out Maxi, THJ, Green, and Hardy.

That's not nearly enough salary to satisfy the rules. Mavs are already close to the Apron, so it's probably a 100% trade so that you aren't hard-capped when refilling all the empty roster slots.
 
In round numbers
PG 49

Maxi 11
THJ 16.2
Green 12.6
Hardy 2
TOT 41.8  ....Add Powell and Exum and you're there.

You only have minimums to re-fill the roster. No room to spend the MLE or any TPEs, because even if you DON'T spend the MLE, you're probably right at or over Apron 2.

I just don't see it.

[KillerLeft]

If a splash is what people are wanting, and retaining DJJ isn't enough to satiate our blood lust, I still land on the three options I listed yesterday, plus an old standard, all representing varying degrees of realistic:

Jerami Grant
Klay Thompson
DeAndrea Hunter
DFS

All of those guys are possible solutions to various problems, and all three are getable, for SOME team. I don't understand the new cap well enough to know if there are significant, impassible road blocks preventing Dallas from acquiring big salaries like Grant's, but if we're talking about LeBron and George like they're possible, then I'm sure Grant, who very likely actually WANTS to be traded, is possible. Thompson might not be possible at all due to GSW not being able to sign and trade or whatever (I hope someone weighs in on that, rules wise - I'm too lazy to research for myself). Hunter is a guy I like, but probably wouldn't be happy if he's INSTEAD of DJJ (though not bad as a fall back if they're going to lose him no matter what). DFS would make such a bigger impact here the second time than people are realizing, I think, and part of me really thinks that might be where this is heading.

Above the break 3's, in a long-limbed package that enjoys playing defense. That's what's needed here. No more, no less. Grant is my favorite, because I think he opens up the most options on both ends and is the best defender (when that's his role) of the bunch.

[Luka77]

There is some talk that if Obi Toppin resigns with the Pacers, they will put Jarace Walker on the block. That is something I would like the Mavs to do. I would trade our '25 first to do so.

Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype-In other Pacers news, rival executives are monitoring whether the Pacers will keep forward Obi Toppin in restricted free agency. If the Pacers re-sign Toppin, several rival executives believe Jarace Walker could become a trade candidate and are monitoring the former No. 8 overall pick’s availability.

[KillerLeft]

That's not nearly enough salary to satisfy the rules. Mavs are already close to the Apron, so it's probably a 100% trade so that you aren't hard-capped when refilling all the empty roster slots.
 
In round numbers
PG 49

Maxi 11
THJ 16.2
Green 12.6
Hardy 2
TOT 41.8  ....Add Powell and Exum and you're there.

You only have minimums to re-fill the roster. No room to spend the MLE or any TPEs, because even if you DON'T spend the MLE, you're probably right at or over Apron 2.

I just don't see it.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there some new rules meant to discourage LAC from accepting aggregated salary on that level? Even if not, that's a LOT of bodies to make room for to make the trade legal. 

In other words, nope.

[F Gump]

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there some new rules meant to discourage LAC from accepting aggregated salary on that level? Even if not, that's a LOT of bodies to make room for to make the trade legal. 

In other words, nope.

" aren't there some new rules meant to discourage LAC from accepting aggregated salary on that level? "   No, they can accept multiple players aggregated. 

The rule is -- Assuming they are over Apron 2 (which would be the case if they re-sign Harden to an expected amount), they can't aggregate to get a bigger salary player back.

[KillerLeft]

" aren't there some new rules meant to discourage LAC from accepting aggregated salary on that level? "   No, they can accept multiple players aggregated. 

The rule is -- Assuming they are over Apron 2 (which would be the case if they re-sign Harden to an expected amount), they can't aggregate to get a bigger salary player back.

Thanks! I still think it would be practically difficult to make roster space for a legal trade like the one you laid out. I'm with you, and won't spend even a minute dreaming about George in Dallas. 

I get the allure, though. He's got the skillset to connect all the dots.

[Luka77]

https://x.com/wojespn/status/1803997111853207557

Monk staying with Kings

[mvossman]

What do you all think of a Vuc for Gafford deal? I do like Gaff a lot. But I can’t look completely past his inability to shoot the 3 and struggle to defend it. Of course, Vuc isn’t gonna defend it either. But he sure as heck can shoot that sucker. Also, Maxi and Vuc would be quite the versatile pair of centers to flex next to Lively for the next couple of years.

Further, wondering if this is a June trade and we could mooch some of that Jazz cap space by joining the LaVine discussions as facilitators. Wouldn’t a tanking Bulls team prefer Hardaway’s expiring to the longer contracts Utah would have to send? Could Gaff and Tim net you Vuc and Dosunmu? Is that an upgrade?

Neither Gafford or Vuc can guard the perimeter, but Vuc can't guard at the rim either.  Vuc will be 34 next season and has been on the decline for a while.  Not sure it makes sense to trade a 26 year old defensive P&R center for an aging declining offense only center.

[Luka77]

ESPN story on guard Malik Monk returning to the Sacramento Kings on a four-year, $78 million deal https://t.co/22O5Tpdg4v

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2024

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[mvossman]

Defensively he's not at the top of the pyramid, but he's no slouch either. 

He had 1.7 deflections per game last year which was the 33rd percentile, but he ranked in the 89th percentile of defending without fouling. Further he ranked in the top percentiles of rim defense, rim contests, and blocks for a wing. 

He consistently guarded for the Bulls the opposing teams 2nd best player behind Caruso. 

He is supremely underrated offensively on this board. Offensively he's one of the most efficient shot creators for himself inside of the 3pt line. He created about 7 open shots per game for other players, which would put him in the 85th percentile for his position. And of course he's in the 99th percentile in mid range shots.

He can't hit a 3 consistently at all. Which may make him a non-starter. Still, he was a 20ppg efficient bucket and the Mavs have showed they don't really rely on the 3pt ball anyways.

DeRozan has an elite midrange game and he can create for others as well.  He is going to be 35 next season, and I have never heard of him considered a plus defender.  He certainly won't be guarding the point of attack.  I feel like having DeRozan, Luka and Kyrie on the floor together is going to put too much pressure on PJ and the center defensively.  As you mentioned, the fact that he doesn't space the floor is another concern.  

I'm not sure why there is so much talk about guys in their mid 30s.  We have a young team with a long horizon.  We made a concerted effort to go youth instead of aging vets recently, and it paid off way sooner than expected with a finals appearance.  I hope we continue to focus on the youth movement and continuity (which I think is underrated some times).

[DanSchwartzgan]

Amazing stuff today, Dan, thanks!

Just for my edification, could you lay out how/what would make a Grant trade, specifically, possible?

I’m traveling and don’t have my spreadsheet.  So, I can’t get too specific.  Also, there are too many variables to your question to answer easily.  Do you want to retain a shot at keeping DJJ?  Are you going to do something that hard caps you?  How many outgoing players will be required to match.  Each one over one has to be replaced with at least a minimum, so the trade may be technically legal, but might leave you with no way to get the roster legal.  Will there be any other salary reducing moves?

FG has laid out a pretty good framework for all of this as we are pretty close to the apron as we stand. So unless we do a separate salary reducing move, we almost have to trade in a way that we bring back less salary than we send.  THJ and Green don’t get you there for Grant.  So, you have to add salary or do something else to reduce salary to get further away from the apron.  Doing something else to reduce salary might allow you to trade match with less outgoing.  But then you’ve hard-capped yourself and have to start figuring how to finish the roster and stay under the first apron.

With Grant in particular, you have the further problem that Portland is also fairly tight to the apron (not to mention guard heavy).  A good rule of thumb is going to be that the salary you bring back has to be less than what you send out.  If you want to keep DJJ, it has to be WAY less than what you send out or you have to clear cap in a second deal.

[audiosway]

Hard pass on Paul George. Not sure why he has been mentioned as a constant superstar. I would go with DJJ and the players I mentioned earlier.

[JamesConway912]

Defensively he's not at the top of the pyramid, but he's no slouch either. 

He had 1.7 deflections per game last year which was the 33rd percentile, but he ranked in the 89th percentile of defending without fouling. Further he ranked in the top percentiles of rim defense, rim contests, and blocks for a wing. 

He consistently guarded for the Bulls the opposing teams 2nd best player behind Caruso. 

He is supremely underrated offensively on this board. Offensively he's one of the most efficient shot creators for himself inside of the 3pt line. He created about 7 open shots per game for other players, which would put him in the 85th percentile for his position. And of course he's in the 99th percentile in mid range shots.

He can't hit a 3 consistently at all. Which may make him a non-starter. Still, he was a 20ppg efficient bucket and the Mavs have showed they don't really rely on the 3pt ball anyways.

Im with you on DeRozan. He has been very durable even as he got up there in age lately. I’d add the FT drawing to your list, he’s still very very good at that. And while his days as a big dunker are mostly behind him he has plenty other weapons in his arsenal.

Going from the THjr / Green / Hardy / Exum third guard / creator experience to him would be a massive upgrade Imo.

[SleepingHero]

ESPN story on guard Malik Monk returning to the Sacramento Kings on a four-year, $78 million deal https://t.co/22O5Tpdg4v

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2024

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What!

How did you do this??

Did the widget I installed in the site actually finally work??????

[SleepingHero]

That's not nearly enough salary to satisfy the rules. Mavs are already close to the Apron, so it's probably a 100% trade so that you aren't hard-capped when refilling all the empty roster slots.
 
In round numbers
PG 49

Maxi 11
THJ 16.2
Green 12.6
Hardy 2
TOT 41.8  ....Add Powell and Exum and you're there.

You only have minimums to re-fill the roster. No room to spend the MLE or any TPEs, because even if you DON'T spend the MLE, you're probably right at or over Apron 2.

I just don't see it.

With the fake trade I posted using fanspo and only giving up THJ+Green+Hardy+Maxi (and waiving Lawson because there's no reason why he's on the roster as a NG deal). The numbers worked, but that website might not have the updated rules yet, so correct me if I'm wrong. 

Player                  Salary           Notes
1 Doncic              43,031,940
2 Irving               41,000,000     ULTBE $1,000,000
3 Paul George      48,787,676
4 PJ Washington   15,500,000     ULTBE $500,000
5 Gafford             13,394,160                   
6 Lively                 5,014,560
7 Powell                4,000,000
8 Exum                 3,150,000     Team Option 6/28
9 Omax               2,870,400
10 Morris               2,093,637




Dead                     2,208,856    McGee

Total Salary         181,051,299 

                                               Space Under/(Over)
First Apron          178,655,000      (2,404,299)
Second Apron      189,486,000     8,426,701

Mavs have around 8 mil to fill out 4 roster spots and stay under the 2nd apron. 

If it's just Powell included the Mavs salary is down to 177,051,299. The empty roster spots I assume will be filled with vet mins of ring chasing vets and the Mavs should be under the 2nd apron by about 50k after filling in the final 4 spots. If DJJ does decide to take the 1+1 TP-MLE then we're over the 2nd apron by a hair. 

Truthfully the Mavs are giving up in the aggregate pretty much nothing of note and should make this deal even if it empties out the roster a bit. THJ was as negative of a player in the playoffs as possible. Every minute with him on the court was bad. Maxi was out/played injured for 3/4 of the playoffs. KL highlighted all the positives of Maxi that I agree with, but its hard to get past the fact he's getting up there in age and he will give you maybe 5 points a game when healthy. Green+Hardy, while they had their moments, aren't guys we're going to lose sleep over. Powell doesn't play anymore and if he does something has gone wrong. Exum doesn't have to be added and should be kept due to his fit.

Mavs would be adding a top 25 player right now that basically covers all weakness the top 6 rotation faced during the run, while adding more than all the other players in this deal contributed combined. Absolute no brainer to make such a deal even if it puts them in the 2nd apron for 1-2 years before the cap spikes. They essentially keep the core that made the run and replace DJJ with an all-star. And in order to do so they cut off the last 5 guys of their bench. Seems like a no brainer to me at least.

[Branduil]

The Ringer agrees on Jerami Grant being the perfect fit for the Mavs:

Grant has the biggest contract of any player on this list, and at 30 years old, he’s also the oldest. The last time Grant was in the playoffs was the 2019-20 season, when he made the West finals with the Nuggets. He was a totally different player then, almost exclusively defending, cutting, and shooting spot-up 3s. But he did very little off the dribble like he does now. That’s why he left Denver. Grant wanted to prove himself, and he went on to average 20.8 points in his four seasons since. But his teams have won an average of 24 games per year. Isn’t it time to go back to winning? Grant is still a versatile defender who can fit into any switching defense, and he’s still a knockdown shooter who can cut and score at the rim. But he’s also capable of doing work off the dribble. Much like Porzingis for Boston, perhaps now he’s at a stage of his career where he’d prefer a little more balance.
Dream fit: Dallas. Just imagine a guy with Grant’s scoring talent receiving kickout passes from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, instead of Maxi Kleber. Grant would feast on more open looks than he ever has. And because of his handling ability, he could help alleviate some of Luka and Kyrie’s burden.

If we have to match more than his salary, THJ+Green+Powell works.