Trade & FA 2024-25:

[KillerLeft]

Basically only SnT's left if he wants to get to a team of his choosing.

Right, but I mean, do even any of the bad teams have cap space left?

[KillerLeft]

This whole situation where the Mavs successfully accomplish their goals during the first 48 hours of free agency is weird. I'm not used to it. I'm watching people speculate about what the Lakers and Warriors might do, nationally, when it's fairly obvious from the outside looking in that only distasteful options truly remain and think "that's usually the Mavs."

[BigDirk41]

@Ralph_MasonJr
Haynes: Bron is giving FO a week. Lakers have had exploratory talks with Portland  on Grant. I project they will make a significant move

With what assets? It doesn't seem like the rest of the NBA is interested in giving them their good pieces for the Lakers trash like they did in the past. Nobody wants D Russell.

[Smitty]

@wojespn
Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota.

Golden State is sending Minnesota a future second-round pick swap and cash in the sign-and-trade, sources tell ESPN.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

With what assets? It doesn't seem like the rest of the NBA is interested in giving them their good pieces for the Lakers trash like they did in the past. Nobody wants D Russell.

I think they have up to 3 first-round picks available to trade.

[F Gump]

@wojespn
Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota.

Golden State is sending Minnesota a future second-round pick swap and cash in the sign-and-trade, sources tell ESPN.

This is almost certainly piggybacking on the DAL-GS-CHA trade involving Klay and Green. The second is likely to be the one they were going to get from CHA.

[KillerLeft]

@wojespn
Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota.

Golden State is sending Minnesota a future second-round pick swap and cash in the sign-and-trade, sources tell ESPN.

The Wolves are really dug in on this KAT/Gobert pairing and are attempting to put off the inevitable as long as possible. This is them getting worse, like Denver has been, and it's financially motivated. This degradation might/might not overtly appear on the court right away, but this certainly hurts them in some matchups (like against Dallas, for example) and I bet it doesn't stop here.

[KillerLeft]

I think they have up to 3 first-round picks available to trade.

But if you listen to Lakers people and close followers (including Pelinka's words during the Redick introductory press conference, which I watched), their messaging has been consistently focused on developing young players and trying to operate as a smart team the right way. No idea if they're actually capable of that, but the point is that if they were willing to empty the draft capital bank on this team, they would've done so by now, and Grant isn't the first target they've been linked to who seems tempting. 

This Haynes stuff is just LeBron trying to pressure them into "doing something" the way he has at pretty much every juncture since he has been there.

[RGP1981]

The Nuggets haven't made a single trade or signing yet. I'm worried for them... although, they seem to have quite a few good young options at SG, SF and PF (Braun, Pickett, Watson, Strawther, Hunter) who could step up this season.

The MPJ contract has tied their hands real bad. They also overpaid that Zeke Nnaji guy, or paid him too soon. I think it might behoove the Nuggets to explore trading MPJ for Cam Johnson + 2 cheap contracts. That would give them more wiggle room.

#wigglewiggle

[KillerLeft]

The Nuggets haven't made a single trade or signing yet. I'm worried for them... although, they seem to have quite a few good young options at SG, SF and PF (Braun, Pickett, Watson, Strawther, Hunter) who could step up this season.

The MPJ contract has tied their hands real bad. They also overpaid that Zeke Nnaji guy, or paid him too soon. I think it might behoove the Nuggets to explore trading MPJ for Cam Johnson + 2 cheap contracts. That would give them more wiggle room.

#wigglewiggle

The MPJ deal was a bad choice, given their obvious budgetary priorities, but that $9 million salary to Zeke Nnaji, who they don’t even play, is KILLING them.

[KillerLeft]

Btw, if I’m Ainge, I’m looking at those unprotected GS picks and swaps the way a lioness looks at an injured, hobbling gazelle. If GS coughs up what Markkanen is going to cost just so they can pretend to contend for a couple more years, Dunleavy is insane.

[Dirknows]

Btw, if I’m Ainge, I’m looking at those unprotected GS picks and swaps the way a lioness looks at an injured, hobbling gazelle. If GS coughs up what Markkanen is going to cost just so they can pretend to contend for a couple more years, Dunleavy is insane.

Would be great if he ended up in GS cuz they're not going anywhere. I really wouldn't like it if he went to the Spurs.

[audiosway]

The Nuggets haven't made a single trade or signing yet. I'm worried for them... although, they seem to have quite a few good young options at SG, SF and PF (Braun, Pickett, Watson, Strawther, Hunter) who could step up this season.

The MPJ contract has tied their hands real bad. They also overpaid that Zeke Nnaji guy, or paid him too soon. I think it might behoove the Nuggets to explore trading MPJ for Cam Johnson + 2 cheap contracts. That would give them more wiggle room.

#wigglewiggle

I'm not at all worried about the Nuggets. I'm excited to see them take a step back and Dallas get better.

[RGP1981]

I'm reading that the LA Clippers want to trade a package revolving around Norman Powell and Terance Mann for Miles Bridges? I'd be very interested in Terance Mann. Perhaps, swap Kleber for him in a 3-team deal. Mann only makes $424K more than Kleber. 

Mann gives the Mavs another good defensive option to use against guys like Antman, Shai, Jalen Brown... one who has been more healthy than Grimes and Exum, and is who more proven than Naji, Grimes and Exum. Having Mann will also properly open the door for Luka to play some minutes at PF, since Kleber cannot be relied upon. Kleber is a depreciating asset too. The Mavs FO can only expect lower and lower returns for him after this summer. Yet the Hornets might be interested in him to replace Bridges at PF there, so I'd strike if there's a chance.

1) Main lineup: Kyrie, Grimes (POA), Luka, PJW, Lifford
2) One of Luka or Kyrie: Luka/Kyrie, Grimes/Mann (POA), Klay, PJW, Lifford
3) Luka at PF lineup: Kyrie, Mann (POA), Klay, Luka, Lifford

Of course, this relegates Naji to more of a backup... but the reason I consider it is I don't know if Naji can be an effective POA defender in the 2nd and 3rd lineups above. It also removes a PITA Luka-defender from potentially going to another rival.

If the Mavs FO can get Mann for Kleber, then the Mavs would become joint favorites along with the Celtics and Thunder, which they are not right now IMO.

[SleepingHero]

@JWeinbachNBA
The Bucks and free agent guard Gary Trent Jr. could have mutual interest.

The 25-year-old wing, a former teammate of Damian Lillard, would have the chance to compete for a title in a starting role with Milwaukee. Although, Trent Jr. would also have to take a substantial pay cut.

[SkenfromLMF]

The Nuggets haven't made a single trade or signing yet. I'm worried for them... although, they seem to have quite a few good young options at SG, SF and PF (Braun, Pickett, Watson, Strawther, Hunter) who could step up this season.

The MPJ contract has tied their hands real bad. They also overpaid that Zeke Nnaji guy, or paid him too soon. I think it might behoove the Nuggets to explore trading MPJ for Cam Johnson + 2 cheap contracts. That would give them more wiggle room.

#wigglewiggle

I am so glad We don't have to worry about being one these teams anymore:
https://youtu.be/0v4-eAefurY?si=JqP4_3WVuJ6Y5vjC

[RGP1981]

I am so glad We don't have to worry about being one these teams anymore:
https://youtu.be/0v4-eAefurY?si=JqP4_3WVuJ6Y5vjC

I agree, it is really nice to see the Mavs FO being proactive for a change... and I like the moves that have been made (Klay, Grimes and Naji are better on offense than those they replaced)... but at the same time it still feels like there is something missing with the departures of DJJ and Green (i.e., a versatile, athletic POA defender who can be relied upon to be available). Grimes and Exum may be too small to handle guys like Antman, Shai, Jalen Brown, etc... and they've had injury troubles. Naji is not proven enough for me to be confident. If the Mavs have a 2-year window with Kyrie and Klay, I would not want to jeopardize this window but would go all in, especially since the Thunder and Celtics have gone all in too.

On the previous page, I wrote about how trading Kleber for Terance Mann would make me feel more confident about the Mavs chances of winning it all. I think Mann could be that missing piece, as he would add another dimension to the depth of this team on defense (while also being a good all around player on offense). The ability to use him as an option in different lineups will give other teams a headache, similar to how it has been a headache trying to match up with the Celtics. So I'm hoping the Mavs FO are at least asking about Mann, to see if it's possible.

Luka, Kyrie, PJW, Lively, Gafford, Grimes, Klay, Mann - now that is a formidable playoff-8 rotation.

[SleepingHero]

@LegionHoops
REPORT: The Lakers have tried to hire Terry Stotts three times, per
@AnthonyIrwinLA.

Stotts turned LA down all three times. (h/t
@Klutch_23
)

[KillerLeft]

@LegionHoops
REPORT: The Lakers have tried to hire Terry Stotts three times, per
@AnthonyIrwinLA.

Stotts turned LA down all three times. (h/t
@Klutch_23
)

I LOVE THIS! Good for you, Coach Stotts!

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/esidery/status/1808352017666211993


Warriors in talks to acquire Buddy Hield via S&T