Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Smitty]

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 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.

We agree! I'm going to bookmark this one. 

[KillerLeft]

2) I keep seeing 5 out center.  Mavs don't view him as a big piece there.   

Hard, hard disagree. I think if you look at how he has been used, it's pretty easy to reach the opposite of this conclusion. He's significantly more effective at the 5, and that's where they used him the most, by FAR, when he was healthy. Remember that Kleber/Washington combo that was so effective down the stretch? It was one of the best things they had, and they were leaning on it a ton in important moments. It's how they closed a ton of games (most, maybe).

The place he is ineffective is the 4. They did that a little in the Finals (it didn't go well), but really not much down that stretch when they were winning games at the end of the season. 

I don't think this is a matter of opinion, I think the emboldened statement is factually untrue. No idea if that means they do/don't trade him, I only know what it does for my answer to the hypothetical you posed.

[KillerLeft]

There's a lot of smoke out there about DFS to Philly, and they could really use him. He'd start there, pretty clearly. I don't think even THEY will give up a first, but maybe they'll cave.

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
The Lakers are showing interest in Kyle Kuzma, per
@AnthonyIrwinLA


“Sources say the Lakers have held trade talks with the Portland Trail Blazers about Jerami Grant, the Brooklyn Nets about Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Toronto Raptors about Bruce Brown and the Wasington Wizards about Kyle Kuzma — as well as other teams and other trade targets. To this point, though, those are the names most closely linked to the Lakers, according to league and team sources.”

[KillerLeft]

@TheDunkCentral
The Lakers are showing interest in Kyle Kuzma, per
@AnthonyIrwinLA


“Sources say the Lakers have held trade talks with the Portland Trail Blazers about Jerami Grant, the Brooklyn Nets about Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Toronto Raptors about Bruce Brown and the Wasington Wizards about Kyle Kuzma — as well as other teams and other trade targets. To this point, though, those are the names most closely linked to the Lakers, according to league and team sources.”

OMG, please, please, PLEASE get Kyle Kuzma to the Lakers! The wheels are about to shoot off of that whole scene!

[Winter]

Hard, hard disagree. I think if you look at how he has been used, it's pretty easy to reach the opposite of this conclusion. He's significantly more effective at the 5, and that's where they used him the most, by FAR, when he was healthy. Remember that Kleber/Washington combo that was so effective down the stretch? It was one of the best things they had, and they were leaning on it a ton in important moments. It's how they closed a ton of games (most, maybe).

The place he is ineffective is the 4. They did that a little in the Finals (it didn't go well), but really not much down that stretch when they were winning games at the end of the season. 

I don't think this is a matter of opinion, I think the emboldened statement is factually untrue. No idea if that means they do/don't trade him, I only know what it does for my answer to the hypothetical you posed.

While I think this is generally true, I agree with Chicago that Maxi is not here much longer. The best bet to replace him I think is Omax, but he's a work in progress and the strengths of the two players are not identical.

I think the best bet is to keep Maxi this season. Maybe you see things differently in mid-season when you have a better read on the players, but there's no rush here.

BTW, it may just be me but every time I see Omax play on the court he looks like someone who is about 6'10". Most of the time, he looks a few inches bigger than everyone he's playing with. Maybe I'm just imagining this.

[KillerLeft]

While I think this is generally true, I agree with Chicago that Maxi is not here much longer. The best bet to replace him I think is Omax, but he's a work in progress and the strengths of the two players are not identical.

I think the best bet is to keep Maxi this season. Maybe you see things differently in mid-season when you have a better read on the players, but there's no rush here.

BTW, it may just be me but every time I see Omax play on the court he looks like someone who is about 6'10". Most of the time, he looks bigger than everyone he's playing with. Maybe I'm just imagining this.

I can get behind all of this, especially the O-Max hope. 

It just drives me bonkers that people won't acknowledge what's right in front of them about how Kleber is viewed, both by the Mavs and by the sport. 

They were literally closing games with him at the 5, right up until he got injured. The Kleber at 5, PJ at 4 lineup was a revelation during that stretch of wins to end the season, and a key factor in the team's strong play. Frankly, at that time, there is every indication that Kidd considered that lineup his best, at least in a great many matchups. That wasn't two years ago, it was this past season.

No argument from me, whatsoever, that it's time (maybe past time) to think hard about getting a younger, more durable version, but as df98 said, easier said than done.

[rocky164]

I can get behind all of this, especially the O-Max hope. 

It just drives me bonkers that people won't acknowledge what's right in front of them about how Kleber is viewed, both by the Mavs and by the sport. 

They were literally closing games with him at the 5, right until he got injured. The Kleber at 5, PJ at 4 lineup was a revelation during that stretch of wins to end the season, and a key factor in the team's strong play. Frankly, at that time, there is every indication that Kidd considered that lineup his best, at least in a great many matchups. That wasn't two years ago, it was this past season.

Exactly!  Maxi was playing well and making shots in the Clipper series before the unfortunate injury that could have happened to anyone in that particular position.  He wasn’t injured because he’s brittle.  It was just an unfortunate circumstance in the heat of the game.  Then after the injury Maxi came back but without his shot.  My opinion is that he came back too soon and his injured shooting shoulder was the problem causing him to miss shots and hesitate to take them.  I’m fine with Maxi.  It would have to be a major upgrade for me to include him in a trade.

[KillerLeft]

Let me say this: people will roll their eyes, and I doubt we'll ever know for sure because the Mavs are likely to be buyers, not sellers, for the next year at least. But, Kleber is the type of useful bench vet you can get a late first for at the deadline, as long as he's healthy. You couldn't get that for him NOW (just like BRK is struggling to get one for DFS), but at the deadline, a contender who's close and needs what Kleber can bring to the table might bite the bullet.

[Jason Terry]

1. Luka 36 Kyrie 12
2. Kyrie 24 Klay 12 Hardy/Exum 12
3. Klay 24 Grimes 24
4. PJ 36 Naji 12
5. Lively 24 Gafford 16 Maxi 8

This minutes breakdown seems like what what will be most effective

[Jason Terry]

Let me say this: people will roll their eyes, and I doubt we'll ever know for sure because the Mavs are likely to be buyers, not sellers, for the next year at least. But, Kleber is the type of useful bench vet you can get a late first for at the deadline, as long as he's healthy. You couldn't get that for him NOW (just like BRK is struggling to get one for DFS), but at the deadline, a contender who's close and needs what Kleber can bring to the table might bite the bullet.

Exactly. We went years and years with Maxi and Dorian as the only non-Luka players worth a damn. Maxi is far more rare than the Dorian types. The list of true 5 out centers is short. Maybe like 10 names and Maxi is one of them

[bubbler86]

Exactly. We went years and years with Maxi and Dorian as the only non-Luka players worth a damn. Maxi is far more rare than the Dorian types. The list of true 5 out centers is short. Maybe like 10 names and Maxi is one of them

Agree with this post AND Maxi is a Mav for life up to this point.    Maxi should be a part of our plans going forward.  He gives it all, is more than sufficient on the defensive side of the floor, and can shoot the 3 ball.   He is a 3 and D player.

[Smitty]

FWIW Markieff Morris says on Twitter that he’s coming back to the Mavs and wants his brother to join.

@Keefmorris
I’m coming back. I want bro to come with me.

[Smitty]

FWIW Markieff Morris says on Twitter that he’s coming back to the Mavs and wants his brother to join.

@Keefmorris
I’m coming back. I want bro to come with me.

If that’s the case is everyone happy with the roster?

Luka | Exum
Irving | Grimes | Hardy
Klay | Naji | Omax
PJW | Marcus | Markieff
Lively | Gafford | Maxi | Powell

[Smitty]

@esidery
The Kings, Spurs and Warriors all have significant trade offers on the table to the Jazz for Lauri Markkanen, per @Tjonesonthenba on @Sactown1140.

Utah is mulling over these packages as they decide whether they will ultimately move Markkanen or not.

[KillerLeft]

If that’s the case is everyone happy with the roster?

Luka | Exum
Irving | Grimes | Hardy
Klay | Naji | Omax
PJW | Marcus | Markieff
Lively | Gafford | Maxi | Powell

Extremely, but unless we ignore everything Forrest Gump has been screaming at us, that doesn’t seem possible.

[BigDirk41]

If that’s the case is everyone happy with the roster?

Luka | Exum
Irving | Grimes | Hardy
Klay | Naji | Omax
PJW | Marcus | Markieff
Lively | Gafford | Maxi | Powell

I would rather just have Marcus and a 3rd string pg, but I'd be ok with this. Marcus is still a serviceable player that shoots a high percentage from 3. We'd have a lot of enforcers with the Morris twins and Naji. That's definitely a good thing.

[BigDirk41]

Extremely, but unless we ignore everything Forrest Gump has been screaming at us, that doesn’t seem possible.

I thought we could cut Lawson and sign 2 guys for the minimum. Is that not accurate?

[Smitty]

Extremely, but unless we ignore everything Forrest Gump has been screaming at us, that doesn’t seem possible.

Definitely need F Gump to weigh in. I’ve pointed out that it’s technically possible but only allows for a ~500K cushion below the apron. Sounds legal of course but practical is the real question.

[KillerLeft]

I thought we could cut Lawson and sign 2 guys for the minimum. Is that not accurate?

Maybe… I might be wrong, but I think that doesn’t leave the cushion we’ve been talking about.

See, this is why we need Gump’s spreadsheet somewhere easy to find!