Trade & FA 2024-25:

[KillerLeft]

Yeah, I sort of see him as an emergency option.   The regular season is long and I don't want to go into the season wearing down Luka and Kyrie after a long playoff run.   In this scenario he starts behind Exum.   No guarantee of playing time.    But he will get some chances and maybe he surpasses Exum.

Right, but there's talk of him (DSJ) starting in Philadelphia. I saw someone the other day suggest he might get the TPMLE, ffs. There are teams who need him, good teams, where he might actually PLAY as an off-ball player on offense and on-ball defender on defense. 

The only way I think DSJ makes sense here is if they think Grimes' knee is toast.

[Scott41theMavs]

If the Mavs "move on" from Exum - one of the biggest bargains in the NBA and a huge part of the (at least regular season) success last year, I will break things. No no no. You move on from Powell, or even Hardy. You do not mortgage the benefits of one of Nico's gold star 2023 moves for mediocrity.

[Smitty]

I posted this on discord a couple hours ago:

“We need to be thinking about how they view Exum next year. That was a brutal playoff run. I think moving him to emergency PG might be their thinking.”

I’ll double down here and say that’s what I think they think!

[Winter]

I think the FO likely sees both of those players differently.

I suspect they are uncertain of Hardy's actual role here. It's not well defined in my opinion. If they feel they would struggle again to find him minutes, then I think he's better as trade material.

Exum doesn't have that problem. He may have an injury issue (tendinitis) that will likely be a recurring issue, but I think his role is more clearly defined with the Mavs. If it were one of them, I'd probably trade Hardy now rather than Exum.

It might be neither of course, but that's how I see these two players.

[BigDirk41]

I have a feeling Exum might have worn out his welcome after his disappearing act in the playoffs. When you're a team that winning a title is all that's left, keeping players that can't cut it in the playoffs is tough. This could also be as simple as they want him to be the 3rd string pg so he's not relied upon. I'll say this much. Nico doesn't fuck around and if he thinks someone needs to be replaced, good bye..lol

[dirkfansince1998]

I just don't see the issue. Exum is on a minimum deal. He gave the Mavs 50 solid regular season games. For one month he basically replaced Kyrie and averaged 15ppg. In december he had already done more than we could have reasonably expected from a vet min signing.
And it's not like he is a different player now. Just going through his never ending ups and downs after injuries. But for a vet min that is all you can ask for.

[Smitty]

To double back on the first apron. GS is now right at the apron.

“It sounds like the Klay Thompson sign and trade featuring Dallas and Charlotte will now expand to include Philadelphia and Minnesota.

The Warriors can acquire both Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson at $9 million starting salaries for Thompson's outgoing amount.

They're now right at the $178.1 million first apron with 14 players.“

It seems to me that the Mavs don’t have to trade or move anyone other than waive Lawson and they can sign Markieff and name your PG, while being~$500k below the apron.

[SleepingHero]

I just don't see the issue. Exum is on a minimum deal. He gave the Mavs 50 solid regular season games. For one month he basically replaced Kyrie and averaged 15ppg. In december he had already done more than we could have reasonably expected from a vet min signing.
And it's not like he is a different player now. Just going through his never ending ups and downs after injuries. But for a vet min that is all you can ask for.

This

There's no reason to move off of Exum just to move off him. He's serviceable enough and does what we want already.

But if we can add another vet PG to cover for his eventual injuries, then I don't see the harm. But to replace Exum just adds a new set of issues.

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
Caleb Martin reportedly declined an extension from the Heat earlier in the offseason and was said to be seeking $15 million annually, per
@flasportsbuzz


Miami is no longer able to offer that contract, and Martin has yet to find an offer similar to Miami's previous offer.

(Via http://bit.ly/3Lbrpw4)

[Chicagojk]

They did court Dinwiddie hard after he was bought out with similar number of guards we have now.

I wasn't a fan of Dinwiddie before he came to Dallas. I really liked him as a third guard here. He even shot well. I wasn't a fan the next year when he was the second guard. I much prefer the attacking Dinwiddie over the one who likes to launch threes. He last year or year and a half play is concerning. Last year with the Nets he pretty much went back to the Washington Din before the trade to Dallas. There were even questions he wasn't giving 100%. His play was not really strong when he joined LAL. Good sized guard who can get into the lane though. I wonder what teams have interest in him?

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
.
@wojespn
with the latest on Miles Bridges:

- The Hornets want Bridges to return, but allowing him to explore potential sign-and-trade options as they hold firm on their current offer.

- GM Jeff Peterson and head coach Charles Lee have spent time with Bridges this offseason as they hope to retain him.

- The length of contract is currently the biggest difference in negotiations between Charlotte and Bridges.

[Smitty]

They did court Dinwiddie hard after he was bought out with similar number of guards we have now. 

I wasn't a fan of Dinwiddie before he came to Dallas.  I really liked him as a third guard here.  He even shot well.  I wasn't a fan the next year when he was the second guard.  I much prefer the attacking Dinwiddie over the one who likes to launch threes.  He last year or year and a half play is concerning.  Last year with the Nets he pretty much went back to the Washington Din before the trade to Dallas.  There were even questions he wasn't giving 100%.  His play was not really strong when he joined LAL.    Good sized guard who can get into the lane though.  I wonder what teams have interest in him?

A Dinwiddie reunion feels like the most likely scenario. I don’t love it but I get it if I put myself in Nico’s shoes. Exum to 3rd PG like I’ve said seems logical from his POV after the playoffs.

Luka 36 | Dinwiddie 12 |                 Exum
Kyrie 34 | Hardy 14
Klay 30 | Grimes 18
PJW 30 | Naji 18 |                          Omax | Morris
Lively 26 | Gafford 22 |                   Maxi | Powell

[dirkfansince1998]

A Dinwiddie reunion feels like the most likely scenario. I don’t love it but I get it if I put myself in Nico’s shoes. Exum to 3rd PG like I’ve said seems logical from his POV after the playoffs.

Luka 36 | Dinwiddie 12 |                 Exum
Kyrie 34 | Hardy 14
Klay 30 | Grimes 18
PJW 30 | Naji 18 |                          Omax | Morris
Lively 26 | Gafford 22 |                   Maxi | Powell

Balance shifted all the way to offense. Don't think you can get away with it on defense. 18 minutes of POA from Grimes. Who is guarding the best opposing scorer for the rest of the game. Not to even mention teams with multiple threats.

[Smitty]

Balance shifted all the way to offense. Don't think you can away with it on defense. 18 minutes of POA from Grimes. Who is guarding the best opposing scorer for the rest of the game. Not to even mention teams with multiple threats.

This is season long mpg averages really. And a way to get your perceived best players minutes. I personally would prefer Exum over Dinwiddie but I’m trying to look through the FO lense some. And with the inevitable injuries and different matchups, all of those numbers change. Of course Maxi isn’t going to be DNP all year, same with Exum. But in general I think that’s a good snapshot of a basic rotation.

Edit: I personally prefer DSJ and that helps solve some of your defensive concerns from the bench unit. But the link to Dinwiddie is real and Grimes/Naji/Gaff can hold their own defensively.

[SleepingHero]

Balance shifted all the way to offense. Don't think you can away with it on defense. 18 minutes of POA from Grimes. Who is guarding the best opposing scorer for the rest of the game. Not to even mention teams with multiple threats.

You're acting as if Klay is a sieve defensively and the Mavs will have no other plus defenders on the court.  Team defense is more important than a single player stifling another. 

Between PJ/Klay/Lively there is enough perimeter defense that will make life hard for players who like to drive into the paint. 

And now we have the added benefit of making the other team work much harder on defense, which is itself a form of defense.

[dirkfansince1998]

You're acting as if Klay is a sieve defensively and the Mavs will have no other plus defenders on the court.  Team defense is more important than a single player stifling another. 

Between PJ/Klay/Lively there is enough perimeter defense that will make life hard for players who like to drive into the paint. 

And now we have the added benefit of making the other team work much harder on defense, which is itself a form of defense.

The Klay is still a good defender narrative reminds me of the time when the majority of the board made the same claim about DAJ. Against better knowledge. Ignoring video breakdowns, boxscore numbers and +/- metrics. We will see. I hope so. And if not I am going to let you know.

Klay certainly isn't who he used to be and if he still has value on defense it is more about defense on bigger wings/forwards. If the Mavs only get 36 combined minutes from Marshall and Grimes I think the defense will suffer. In that scenario I would prefer Exum over Hardy/SD or any potential offensive only player.

I am not going to continue to hate. Won't comment on the matter. Don't want to ruin the hype for all of you.

[Smitty]

I am not going to continue to hate. Won't comment on the matter. Don't want to ruin the hype for all of you.

Never change!

[dirkfansince1998]

Never change!

It's a win win. Will be back to rub it into your face if I am proven right. And if he is better than expected no one will remember that I thought his defense would be an issue.

[Smitty]

It's a win win. Will be back to rub it into your face if I am proven right. And if he is better than expected no one will remember that I thought his defense would be an issue.

Haha. You’re right! I respect it!

[KillerLeft]

I'm good with the defensive/offensive balance as is, right now, based on how I see the rotation working.

But, there are possible scenarios running through my mind with this "looking for another guard" nugget from Stein that could deflate this confidence pretty quickly.