Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Warriors lost out on Paul George, plus they’re preparing to move on from Klay Thompson.

Chris Paul could soon be waived to clear $30 million in cap space.

Andrew Wiggins is being aggressively shopped on the trade market.

A massive offseason is unfolding for Golden State.

[SleepingHero]

Philly Sixers Galaxy (@sixers_galaxy)
“If [Paul George] comes to Philly, sources believe George will help recruit solid role players for the #Sixers’ pursuit of an NBA championship-caliber roster.“

Previewing Sixers’ free agency
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-n...ource=t.co&utm_campaign=edit_social_share_twitter_traffic&utm_medium=social&utm_content=&utm_term=&int_promo= via @phillyinquirer

[LukaMVP]

jet was a terrific combo guard and he could handle the ball well, but I doubt Klay would be the right guy to do that. we still need to find a backup ball handler (hardy maybe?).

[SleepingHero]

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)
The San Antonio Spurs did not tender a qualifying offer to Dominick Barlow, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN. Barlow - a 6-foot-9 forward — played 61 games in two seasons. Spurs, others will have interest in talking in free agency.

[SleepingHero]

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)
The San Antonio Spurs did not tender a qualifying offer to Dominick Barlow, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN. Barlow - a 6-foot-9 forward — played 61 games in two seasons. Spurs, others will have interest in talking in free agency.

Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie)
Honestly, I think the most stunning one of these decisions that I've seen so far today?

Barlow is good. As a 20 year old in the G League this year, averaged 24/8.

He should have a serious market. If he was a 2024 NBA Draft prospect, would have been a top-30 guy, IMO.

[KillerLeft]

jet was a terrific combo guard and he could handle the ball well, but I doubt Klay would be the right to do that. we still need to find a backup ball handler (hardy maybe?).

Agree, but not every sixth man has to be a microwave scorer. I think Gump's point is that Thompson could be the first off the bench and a significant, consistent source of offensive production in the second unit, and I agree. I also understand his point about how much easier it is to accept a lesser role on a new team, rather than a demotion on the team you helped build. That’s real.

But, I don’t think that is what is going to happen here.

[omahen]

2 " I doubt GSW would entertain any salary back in a SnT. "... It depends on what they decide with CP3 (whose presence keeps them from having a big MLE and lands them over Apron 1). I suspect CP3 is waived, with teams who want him willing to wait and then try to sign him.

If that's correct, then their approach does a 180. They then have freedom to add some talent - such as add a full MLE, and accept Green in sign-and-trade - and still be under the Apron. And I bet they see a need for talent, if they can get it, rather than just do without. That's assumes they would see Green as worth having and developing further, which I think they would.

Also notice that reports re GS say they WILL take back salary to facilitate a SNT.

Which report said that GS will take back salary to facilitate a SNT? I only read Stein, so perhaps there is some other report. But, Stein didn't say they are willing to take back salary. He just said they are willing to help facilitate a SnT. Only reports regarding Lakers mention the MLE option and reports about Mavs mention that option is unclear (MLE or SnT). How I read it - Mavs can offer more than MLE without salary going to GSW. GSW would still need to play along. 

The way I see GSW is they want to add a prime player to help Curry remain competitive. Contracts like Green, Maxi, D'Lo basically block that due to their cap space limitations. Counting CP3 contract as zero, they have only 36 mil under the second apron. Add any salary from players mentioned above, and their path for a top player becomes much more difficult even if using Wiggins. 

As for Green - they have Moody and Podziemski on his position. I doubt they would see Green as better talent as those two guys they already have. Of course from Mavs perspective - I have zero problem if they want Green. He si most likely gone in any case.

[SleepingHero]

Mavs(New)CBA (@CBAMavs)

If we use the TPE to acquire Klay... then there are a couple things to think through

• Is GS trying to be a below-the-apron team? Cutting CP3 completely. Then I'm not sure why we are using a TPE. They can take some salary back or use the generous below the apron trade math
  

• If they are above the apron... then the TPE makes sense... BUT it would imply they are getting a non-salaries asset back for facilitating the deal. Which would mean we are probably sending our 2025 1st.
  

• IF we are acquiring Klay via a TPE... we need to reduce salary another way. Both Maxi and Green fit cleanly into a team's Full MLE. This is the first season you can use the Full MLE as a TPE. We could try and recoop draft assets from a hypothetical Green into a TPE trade.
  

[omahen]

You’re speaking defensively, but in a way that’s the same thing I’m saying, only from a different angle.

Still, if they aren’t sending Green and or Kleber out in this Thompson deal, and it doesn’t seem like you think they will, I suppose there could potentially be some other moves made we haven’t discussed yet, and I assume another 4 would be pretty high on that list.

I think Green is gone, if Mavs sign Klay. I am just not sure it will be GSW taking him.

[SleepingHero]

So this is a pretty fantastic article regarding the Klay Thompson Saga.

From TheAthletic Warriors beat reporter.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5604503...ed_article

Some excerpts:

Klay Thompson is set for free agency and — barring a dramatic mood shift — the Warriors and Thompson are more than prepared for his fairly imminent departure from the Bay Area. So prepared, an NBA source indicated this weekend, that some cordial goodbyes have been shared between Klay and high-ranking members of the Warriors’ organization.
The Warriors had agreed to give George a max, four-year extension upon arrival. They believed they had proposed several variations of a trade that the Clippers could and would accept. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were 100 percent on board. George gave strong indications he wanted to join the Warriors. But the Clippers never agreed to any version of a trade, and now George is a free agent and essentially beyond the Warriors’ reach

Any possible PG13 trade between the Warriors and Clippers was always going to be complicated, but Warriors executives thought they’d solved the puzzle. From what I’ve heard, some combination (but definitely not all) of Wiggins, CP3, Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody plus one future first-round pick were put into discussions with the Clippers.

There were versions that would’ve limited the Clippers’ long-term money liability; there were versions that would’ve increased the future benefits. I’m told the Warriors likely would not have put Wiggins and Kuminga together into any offer, but also that it never got that far, anyway. If that’s what would’ve closed the deal … who knows.

Thompson didn’t love his experience last season and said so. Many times. He didn’t love getting moved to the bench for a few games behind Podziemski. He didn’t love the questions we asked about his future. He didn’t love the national attention on his occasional struggles, obviously including his 0-for-10 shooting night in the Play-In loss to the Sacramento Kings. He really didn’t love that the Warriors put a higher priority on figuring out how to upgrade the roster than on bringing him back this offseason.

Largely, I think Thompson didn’t love being compared with himself from another era, before his two major leg injuries, when he could guard anybody and turn any game into a personal piece of NBA shooting history. He wanted a fresh start. He’s going to get one. He’s also going to come to Chase Center with his new team and want to beat the Warriors; maybe not bitterly, maybe a bit bitterly, but it will be fun to watch.

Thompson likely wasn’t going to be a starter if he remained with the Warriors this season. It was going to be Podziemski. Or Moody. Or somebody else. I’m not sure Thompson wanted to go through that again, and I’m guessing the Warriors wouldn’t have loved it, either. It seems like a cold conclusion to this unbelievable tenure, but it was inevitable.

The Warriors will not be better without Thompson. They will miss his shooting, his personality, his wry humor and everything.

[SleepingHero]

During my cat nap, Marc Stein has posted some "new" news given everything we've learned:

Mavs Film Room (@MavsFilmRoom)
Lot of Mavs’ related info in this latest post from @TheSteinLine, where he maintains that the Mavericks are still the favorites to sign Klay Thompson, and even some within the Lakers believe that too.

Klay is the Mavs’ top priority, above Derrick Jones.

https://open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/...ncy?r=yv8j&utm_medium=ios







The most interesting bits? 
Mavs want Klay on a 3 year deal. 
Mavs Plan A is to get Klay AND keep DJJ. 
If they can't keep DJJ, then Naji Marshall is a candidate.
And I know it's not in those screenshots but Stein maintains that the Mavs are the team to beat when it comes to Klay, at least that's what some guys in the Lakers FO think.

[omahen]

Just to stir conversation

I could see Mavs pivot to Wiggins again, if GSW can't get into any serious star conversations.

Lets say in that case GSW decides, fuck it, lets just give those champs 2 more seasons together and pay Klay whatever he wants. They will not be good, so they will be getting draft capital with decent picks and they can start to prepare for a smooth transition after those three guys retire together in 3 years.

Mavs trade Maxi for Wiggins straight up, expanding the Detroit THJ deal (I think numbers are really close, a mil will not be a problem to make it work). Than Mavs can decide to ship Green out to retain DJJ or just keep Green.

[F Gump]

My impression is that GS has been willing (and perhaps eager) to give Wiggins away to anyone who will take him, but I have no interest in Wiggins to DAL. I think that's a bad bad add, even if he's free. Giving up assets, and opportunity, to end up with Wiggins? I would consider that a monumental disaster.

If that's the choice, keep Green and Maxi and call it a day once THJ is traded and DJJ is signed.

[mvossman]

Just to stir conversation

I could see Mavs pivot to Wiggins again, if GSW can't get into any serious star conversations.

Lets say in that case GSW decides, fuck it, lets just give those champs 2 more seasons together and pay Klay whatever he wants. They will not be good, so they will be getting draft capital with decent picks and they can start to prepare for a smooth transition after those three guys retire together in 3 years.

Mavs trade Maxi for Wiggins straight up, expanding the Detroit THJ deal (I think numbers are really close, a mil will not be a problem to make it work). Than Mavs can decide to ship Green out to retain DJJ or just keep Green.

Jesus, that might be worse than Klay. Is there any proposed scenario where we don’t get stuck with a potential albatross contract?

[Knutsen]

During my cat nap, Marc Stein has posted some "new" news given everything we've learned:

Mavs Film Room  (@MavsFilmRoom)
Lot of Mavs’ related info in this latest post from @TheSteinLine, where he maintains that the Mavericks are still the favorites to sign Klay Thompson, and even some within the Lakers believe that too.

Klay is the Mavs’ top priority, above Derrick Jones.

https://open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/...ncy?r=yv8j&utm_medium=ios







The most interesting bits? 
Mavs want Klay on a 3 year deal. 
Mavs Plan A is to get Klay AND keep DJJ. 
If they can't keep DJJ, then Naji Marshall is a candidate.
And I know it's not in those screenshots but Stein maintains that the Mavs are the team to beat when it comes to Klay, at least that's what some guys in the Lakers FO think.

I think they have something lined up as a plan A where they have a sign and trade for Klay first and then sign DJJ afterwards.

Maybe something in the form of we trade Green to a third team with cap space, trade Hardy (or a pick) as a sweetener to the Warriors, they sign-and-trade Klay to us and the third team throws in a second rounder. Then we sign DJJ to the biggest possible amount, depending on Thompson‘s numbers.

To the cap experts: could this principle be used as an extension of our Detroit-deal, with Green also going there?

[F Gump]

During my cat nap, Marc Stein has posted some "new" news given everything we've learned:

Mavs Film Room  (@MavsFilmRoom)
Lot of Mavs’ related info in this latest post from @TheSteinLine, where he maintains that the Mavericks are still the favorites to sign Klay Thompson, and even some within the Lakers believe that too.

Klay is the Mavs’ top priority, above Derrick Jones. 

The most interesting bits? 
Mavs want Klay on a 3 year deal. 
Mavs Plan A is to get Klay AND keep DJJ. 
If they can't keep DJJ, then Naji Marshall is a candidate.
And I know it's not in those screenshots but Stein maintains that the Mavs are the team to beat when it comes to Klay, at least that's what some guys in the Lakers FO think.

Here's the part about all these reports about Klay that isn't being said, and I think its answer is a difference maker - What sort of salary is in the mix for Klay?

These 'top priority' notes with the idea that they might end up not being able to sign DJJ too makes me worry it's a starting number far above 20M, which I think would be an albatross waiting to happen. As someone else noted, we might be edging towards a Wes Matthews or Harrison Barnes type of "pay them anything" pursuit. Ugh. In a Hard Cap World, please no.

[Jym]

Here's the part about all these reports about Klay that isn't being said, and I think its answer is a difference maker - What sort of salary is in the mix for Klay?

These 'top priority' notes with the idea that they might end up not being able to sign DJJ too makes me worry it's a starting number far above 20M, which I think would be an albatross waiting to happen. As someone else noted, we might be edging towards a Wes Matthews or Harrison Barnes type of "pay them anything" pursuit. Ugh. In a Hard Cap World, please no.

or maybe it's in combo with the THJ trade and we won't have the MLE unless we move someone else

[F Gump]

I think they have something lined up as a plan A where they have a sign and trade for Klay first and then sign DJJ afterwards.

Maybe something in the form of we trade Green to a third team with cap space, trade Hardy (or a pick) as a sweetener to the Warriors, they sign-and-trade Klay to us and the third team throws in a second rounder. Then we sign DJJ to the biggest possible amount, depending on Thompson‘s numbers.

To the cap experts: could this principle be used as an extension of our Detroit-deal, with Green also going there?

Sure, that could be done. All in one big deal, in fact (other than the part of signing DJJ, which would follow). It's easier and cleaner if GS wants Green, and he's their compensation, and you could send them Hardy too without causing them any financial issues, if that's what everyone wants.

[F Gump]

or maybe it's in combo with the THJ trade and we won't have the MLE unless we move someone else

If you just do the THJ trade and piggyback Klay's incoming SNT on top, you can only offer Klay 13.8M in that contract. That seems way too small to happen.

[Knutsen]

Sure, that could be done. All in one big deal, in fact (other than the part of signing DJJ, which would follow). It's easier and cleaner if GS wants Green, and he's their compensation, and you could send them Hardy too without causing them any financial issues, if that's what everyone wants.

Thanks for clarifying. Sure, that would be way easier to do that swap straight up - I was arguing under the assumption that the Warriors don‘t want to take on salary for a player that won’t be a difference maker for them like Green, but would be willing to cooperate with Klay after all these years.