Trade & FA 2024-25:

[RGP1981]

Whoa...I lost track of him since he left the Jazz. How much has he fallen off? If he can still play, I like this for them a LOT.

This isn't the first time I have seen someone say in here that they've lost track of someone still playing in the league. Y'all need to watch other teams and other players moar!

FYI, Joe Ingles is WASHED! He has no business being on a contending team any more.

[Chicagojk]

Just curious, how many here would trade Kleber and a lottery 2025 protected first for DFS? May need some other pieces to make it work. Would you do that?

[RGP1981]

Just curious, how many here would trade Kleber and a lottery 2025 protected first for DFS?    May need some other pieces to make it work.  Would you do that?

I wouldn't.

I might do that same deal for either Terance Mann or Coby White though, even with the lottery protection reduced.

[dirkfansince1998]

Just curious, how many here would trade Kleber and a lottery 2025 protected first for DFS?    May need some other pieces to make it work.  Would you do that?

As long as the Mavs don't have a 5-out/small ball/perimeter defense replacement for Kleber he is more valuable than a wing. And after DFS's last season I certainly wouldn't give up a first for him.

[KillerLeft]

Just curious, how many here would trade Kleber and a lottery 2025 protected first for DFS?    May need some other pieces to make it work.  Would you do that?

No, I love me some DFS, but I’d rather see how this works on the floor before giving up a draft pick.

Also, while I’d like DFS here, I don’t think they’re worried about that spot as much as we are. If you think of Thompson, Luka AND Washington as players all best-served guarding 4’s, which I believe they are, it’s pretty easy to connect the dots from there to a rotation that allows for one or two of Marshall, Grimes and Exum to be on the floor a LOT.

Plus, I’m excited for O-Max to have juuuust a sliver of opportunity to break in on nights when they do have to guard a premier 4.

Finally, I think the loss of Kleber as an option at the 5 far outweighs the positives of upgrading him at the 4. He’s not untouchable for me, but DFS isn’t enticing enough.

[KillerLeft]

This isn't the first time I have seen someone say in here that they've lost track of someone still playing in the league. Honestly, I think this may be why I'm at loggerheads with a lot of the things or suggestions I see in here... i.e., most of y'all simply don't watch other teams and other players enough... and the few who do, well, those seem to generally get lost in what is immediately in front of them rather than look at the bigger and/or whole picture (not saying you're one of those btw, cause I have noticed we generally agree on quite a few things).

FYI, Joe Ingles is WASHED! He has no business being on a contending team any more.

Thanks for the info. Could do without the condescension. I watch A TON of NBA, little buddy. When I know, I say so, when I don’t, I ask. That’s what intelligent people do. We’re here to fill in gaps.

[RGP1981]

As long as the Mavs don't have a 5-out/small ball/perimeter defense replacement for Kleber he is more valuable than a wing. And after DFS last season I certainly wouldn't give up a first for him.

Agreed with you on giving up a 1st for DFS, that's no bueno.

Kleber's ability to offer a 5-out option at Center has been worthless in the last 2 seasons... i.e., there's been no results immediately gained from having this option... and he's now 32 years old. When do we reach the conclusion that his goose has been cooked?

I can only hope that other teams value Kleber as you do... cause then the Mavs FO could maybe trade him in a straight swap for Terance Mann or Coby White, who would both be more useful to the Mavs IMO.

[RGP1981]

Thanks for the info. Could do without the condescension. I watch A TON of NBA, little buddy. When I know, I say so, when I don’t, I ask. That’s what intelligent people do. We’re here to fill in gaps.

A thousand apologies. I wasn't trying to be condescending to you. Just using that as an opportunity to say that others who might vehemently disagree with some of my other suggestions might consider watching more of other teams and players. Anyway, I have now edited my post. 

Donde esta la biblioteca?

[KillerLeft]

I can only hope that other teams value Kleber as you do... cause then the Mavs FO could maybe trade him in a straight swap for Terance Mann or Coby White, who would both be more useful to the Mavs IMO.

I don’t really get the fascination with bringing up players who aren’t in the hypotheticals being discussed, aren’t really whispered to be for sale and who wouldn’t really have clear paths to roles here based on the moves/direction the team has literally just decided to go. 

We could all argue all day about our personal player rankings, but isn’t it 1,000x more interesting to try to figure out what’s actually possible, and what we actually think the plan might be?

I believe that you know those players and like them, and that’s cool. Chicago asked a realistic hypothetical. Do you honestly think this response is based on something realistic?

EDIT: I hope this didn’t come off as too harsh. I can come across that way at times, unintentionally. I just don’t think White is available, and I don’t think Terrence Mann is on the block to be sold, either. If he moves, my guess is that it will be in some sort of sign and trade for either DeMar DeRozan or Miles Bridges.

[Smitty]

This is the most glowing take on the Mavs’ off-season yet. Gotta say, like 99% of the people I’ve seen analyze what they’re doing has been effusively positive. Everyone LOVES Marshall, too. 

https://youtu.be/HUZ7KpuDrXQ?si=Ecw_iP5GjmxTCnC1

Keep posting these nuggets!

[Smitty]

The Sixers are showing interest in Marcus Morris, per @PompeyOnSixers

“The Sixers have interest in signing the power forward to a free-agency deal, according to multiple sources. The Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed some level of interest, according to a source.”

[Dirknows]

The Sixers are showing interest in Marcus Morris, per @PompeyOnSixers

“The Sixers have interest in signing the power forward to a free-agency deal, according to multiple sources. The Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed some level of interest, according to a source.”

Yeah, but the Mavs have the Kieff factor!

[Smitty]

Yeah, but the Mavs have the Kieff factor!

True. Role will be the biggest factor in trying to convince him to sign here, brotherly love or not. The Mavs can’t sign both brothers. Marcus is the better player of course but with Maxi here, the Mavs don’t have a clear path to minutes unless they plan for Maxi to strictly play at the 5 (my preference for sure).

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
The Sixers are showing interest in Marcus Morris, per
@PompeyOnSixers


“The Sixers have interest in signing the power forward to a free-agency deal, according to multiple sources. The Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed some level of interest, according to a source.”

[dirkfansince1998]

Agreed with you on giving up a 1st for DFS, that's no bueno.

Kleber's ability to offer a 5-out option at Center has been worthless in the last 2 seasons... i.e., there's been no results immediately gained from having this option... and he's now 32 years old. When do we reach the conclusion that his goose has been cooked?

I can only hope that other teams value Kleber as you do... cause then the Mavs FO could maybe trade him in a straight swap for Terance Mann or Coby White, who would both be more useful to the Mavs IMO.

When the Mavs have a replacement. Kleber being out as often as he is actually is shows why this kind of skillset is needed. Right now Kleber is the only big that provides the 5-out offense/switch all defense option. Find someone else that can do it and I would happily move on.

[SleepingHero]

Ayton or Capella. Probably Capella.

Brook Lopez+Portis for Ingram?

[Smitty]

I hate beating up on Maxi but the reality is he's missed 84 games the last two years and only getting older. He missed 9 of the 22 games in the playoffs. He can't be counted on anymore.

I don't want him traded but I do want the Mavs to have a real plan there. Maybe Naji and Omax can handle the backup 4 spot when he misses time. Maybe they look at someone like Morris and move Maxi to a specialty role as a 5-out center that doesn't play every night. I think (hope) the latest report points to the latter.

[dirkfansince1998]

I hate beating up on Maxi but the reality is he's missed 84 games the last two years and only getting older. He missed 9 of the 22 games in the playoffs. He can't be counted on anymore.

I don't want him traded but I do want the Mavs to have a real plan there. Maybe Naji and Omax can handle the backup 4 spot when he misses time. Maybe they look at someone like Morris and move Maxi to a specialty role as a 5-out center that doesn't play every night. I think the latest report points to the latter.

Finding a Maxi replacement should be a priority for all the reasons you mentioned. But as long as they don't have one you cannot give him up for another guard/wing. Mavs need to have some kind of 5-out/switch all option on the roster. Maybe PJ can do it in stretches. Maybe OMax takes the next step and the Mavs can get away with him playing some center minutes.
The playoffs showed that in certain matchups Gafford isn't playable. He actually exceeded my expectations but when Maxi was available he played less than 20 minutes per game for a reason (only 15mpg in the finals). I would assume that longterm Lively is going to play starter minutes but I don't think he is a switch all big. Just a better and more mobile version of Gafford playing drop defense.

Only issue is that every single team in the league is looking for younger and more durable versions of Maxi. All the cheap options have major flaws. There is a long list of shooting bigs that cannot defend. Even more versatile defenders that cannot shoot. But the combination of both is rare.

[Chicagojk]

No, I love me some DFS, but I’d rather see how this works on the floor before giving up a draft pick.

Also, while I’d like DFS here, I don’t think they’re worried about that spot as much as we are. If you think of Thompson, Luka AND Washington as players all best-served guarding 4’s, which I believe they are, it’s pretty easy to connect the dots from there to a rotation that allows for one or two of Marshall, Grimes and Exum to be on the floor a LOT.

Plus, I’m excited for O-Max to have juuuust a sliver of opportunity to break in on nights when they do have to guard a premier 4.

Finally, I think the loss of Kleber as an option at the 5 far outweighs the positives of upgrading him at the 4. He’s not untouchable for me, but DFS isn’t enticing enough.

I don't think I would give up a protected 25 pick either.    Although, I think there are some here who think Kleber is a player that  he really isn't.  I am not saying give him a way, but I am worried about PF if PJ goes through a rough stretch.  

Regarding Kleber:

1) He is not going to be here for a long time

2) I keep seeing 5 out center.  Mavs don't view him as a big piece there.   I think as Lively and Gafford grow, there will be limited minutes at 5 for him.   Sure it would be a nice option to have, but not something that would keep me from not adding talent.

3) I am also not sure if he is a great option at 4 either.  He has had some really strong moments at times.  Those are getting less and less regular.  I don't really judge him for the playoffs as he worked his butt off just to be able to play.   I just think a guy like DFS fits better.   He adds some more toughness, shoots it better and does some of the same things Kleber can do. My fear is PJ goes into a shooting slump and we are getting 6 points from our PF. Now DFS is not a huge scoring threat as well, but I think he is more reliable than Maxi.

Again, at this point I would hold on to the 25 pick.    I think DFS makes this team better than Kleber though.

[KillerLeft]

When the Mavs have a replacement. Kleber being out as often as he is actually is shows why this kind of skillset is needed. Right now Kleber is the only big that provides the 5-out offense/switch all defense option. Find someone else that can do it and I would happily move on.

Right. It isn't about keeping Kleber, it's about having a stretch big who plays plus defense. Kleber being in and out of the lineup with injuries messes with his shooting rhythm quite a bit, but he's been good defensively more often than not, even these past two years. 

Having a theoretical chance at Kleber staying healthy for a stretch, unlikely as that might be, is superior to punting on the whole concept, at least for me. 

Having said that, Harrison is decisive and appears unafraid of change. I could see him doing something.