Trade & FA 2024-25:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs agree to 3 yr, 150.3 extension that includes a PO for 27-28

About Exum, would we rather have the injury prone but bigger Exum, or the smaller older but more accomplished Lowry? The fact that they could combine leftovers plus Exum salary into a slot paying about 4.6M (or less, of course) and they have leftover MLE at 4.2 or so could be a fit.

And doesn't take a trade for any of those guys already mentioned, like Lowry, though you do need a team somewhere who wants Exum.

Like DET?

I guess Detroit has become the NBA's landfill...

[F Gump]

I guess Detroit has become the NBA's landfill...

No, I mentioned DET for Exum because he's Lindsey's guy.

[Jason Terry]

Hardys role was going to be the THJ role. It was a good thing because he can shoot well and actually dribble and attack unlike THJ. Once we signed Klay he no longer had a role. Hardy has never been a point guard or else there would possibly be more for him. The defense and low IQ plays are what he would need to eliminate to play real minutes. It’s possible he makes a big jump this summer, but even if he does, then his next contract will be a bad deal we can’t afford. He’s a Klutch client so after the DJJ debacle I’m cool with moving Hardy. We already met our quota of 1 Klutch client only with Lively.

Hardy for 1-2 SRP’s to replenish our stash and bring in DSJ who’s a much better fit

Lindsey may be trying to trade one of those 2nds we gave them for Exum as well. Exum is a good fit with this roster but if he wants to play more then peace out

Having 2nds to get things done is necessary

[F Gump]

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.

"At the apron" is a relative term for GS, just like it is for DAL. Same issue, same approach. Per Spotrac numbers, the W's sit at about $176.6M (incl UTBE incentives and adjusted contracts).

[BigDirk41]

We are just speculating, but if the Mavs want to move Hardy, could Hardy and Maxi combined get us a Maxi replacement? A Maxi replacement is a real need at some point.

[RGP1981]

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.

This. Agreed. I'm having trouble seeing the Mavs go all the way with this roster, even though I really like the addition of Grimes and see the benefit of having Klay on the squad too... because it's lacking something on defense (and the level of competition offered by the Celtics and Thunder).

Winning a ring needs to be done quick, before Kyrie falls off the map. There's work to be done, Nico, quit mucking around with Lowry or Dinwiddie... and yet another Morris twin who is past his sell-by date... those signings aren't going to change anything.

Now if Nico were to get Terance Mann, I'd be singing a different tune (and Nico's praises too) as the balance would be just right, like baby bear's porridge.

The only thing that would then be needed, is for Luka to lose weight and take his conditioning seriously, so that he can be fully healthy in the playoffs this time around and also not be targeted on defense so much.

[SleepingHero]

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.

I will definitely remember.

But its not a big deal. If you want the bragging rights you can have them. If Klay is better than expected I'll believe you were the biggest Klay homer hyping his defense. 

If Klay sucks you can rub it in all you want.

Its the internet; where everything is made up and the points don't matter.

[SleepingHero]

@BrettSiegelNBA
Best NBA free agents remaining:

PG: Kyle Lowry, Tyus Jones, Markelle Fultz, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Smith Jr.

SG: Gary Trent Jr., Malik Beasley, Luke Kennard, Isaac Okoro, Lonnie Walker IV

SF: DeMar DeRozan, Miles Bridges, Caleb Martin, Gordon Hayward, Saddiq Bey

PF: Precious Achiuwa, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Markieff Morris, Chuma Okeke

C: Daniel Theis, Cody Zeller, JaVale McGee, Tristan Thompson, Bismack Biyombo

[Smitty]

@BrettSiegelNBA
Best NBA free agents remaining:

PG: Kyle Lowry, Tyus Jones, Markelle Fultz, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Smith Jr.

SG: Gary Trent Jr., Malik Beasley, Luke Kennard, Isaac Okoro, Lonnie Walker IV

SF: DeMar DeRozan, Miles Bridges, Caleb Martin, Gordon Hayward, Saddiq Bey

PF: Precious Achiuwa, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Markieff Morris, Chuma Okeke

C: Daniel Theis, Cody Zeller, JaVale McGee, Tristan Thompson, Bismack Biyombo

Markieff over Marcus. Maybe we have the best twin afterall.

[Smitty]

"At the apron" is a relative term for GS, just like it is for DAL. Same issue, same approach. Per Spotrac numbers, the W's sit at about $176.6M (incl UTBE incentives and adjusted contracts).

You’re invaluable to this board! Thanks for answering my dumb questions!

[Smitty]

The Dunker Spot had a really good breakdown of the Mavs moves. Worth a listen if you haven’t already. Starts around the 23:00 mark.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/th...0660946340

[Chicagojk]

I keep thinking about Dinwiddie. I don't think it happens and I think Exum is fine in his role. His health is the one concern.

Just thinking though...what is our offense? It is to have two guys who are elite guys who can get their shots and get into the lane. Surround them with an elite rim runner and spread the rest of the floor with good shooters. So at all times you have two guys who can stress a defense. Maybe Dallas thinks Exum just can't make defenses pay. So he turns limited in some of these matchups.

Again, I am an Exum fan and I think the most likely outcome is he is the backup and maybe a minimum guy is brought in behind him . I just can't get out of my head that his hook was pretty tight in some of these playoff games. I remember one when he got into the lane and forced a pass that lead to a turnover and was pulled shortly after. I am just thinking if Kidd wants someone who can put more stress on a defense.

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
Brandon Ingram's name has been heating up in trade talks recently, and it looks like his days in New Orleans are coming to an end, per
@TheSteinLine


“Attempts in New Orleans to trade Brandon Ingram have intensified in recent days, league sources say. Sources tell The Stein Line that on Ingram's side, with the reality that the contract extension terms his camp had hoped for are not forthcoming from the Pelicans, there has likewise been exploration of trade options.”

[Smitty]

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.

How do you see the rotation working?

[RGP1981]

The Dunker Spot had a really good breakdown of the Mavs moves. Worth a listen if you haven’t already. Starts around the 23:00 mark.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/th...0660946340

If the Mavs goal is to play Kyrie, Klay and Luka together for the majority of minutes, then I think the Mavs could get Grant Williams'd again. It has been acknowledged by most GSW fans for 62 pages over a year and a half that Klay is not starter quality any longer, and should be coming off the bench. This was on a team which had more defense than a lineup of Kyrie, Klay, Luka, PJW and Lively.

I think the best role for Klay here is to accompany one of Luka/Kyrie as the 2nd scoring option when the other is sitting... while having one of *Grimes/Exum/Naji alongside them (along with PJW and Lifford)... and for Klay to provide a much better scoring impact in that role than THJ or Hardy. He can take a huge load off Luka and Kyrie and help reduce their minutes played, and will offer better defense than THJ or Hardy did too. It will also be valuable to have Klay's experience and knowledge about things like playing off screens for others to learn from and be included in the coaching staff's schemes.

*The asterisk or question for me here is: is Grimes/Exum/Naji good enough, and can Grimes and Exum stay healthy enough. As an aside, I think Hardy may be relegated to playing mainly when Kyrie is not on listed on the team sheet.

Also, I'm sorry but thinking about PJW as the POA defender, which the guys on this podcast brought up... is just dangerous and asking for trouble, because it will inevitably lead to PJW being injured. Maybe it's just me, but I'm quite fearful about losing PJW to injury and the impact it could have.

Edit: Added a link to GSW fans talking about Klay.

[Smitty]

Also, I'm sorry but thinking about PJW as the POA defender, which the guys on this podcast brought up... is just lazy and it's dangerous thinking too, because it will inevitably lead to PJW being injured. 

I found myself almost agreeing with some of your points, until this. Whaaattt?? They brought up that Game 1 he came in and guarded SGA, proving that he was going to be an excellent defender for this team. They blew out the best team in the West that day. Of course there will be smaller/quicker guards that initiate the offense that PJ wouldn’t be as effective guarding but to say their analysis is lazy or dangerous is just ignorant. No offense intended.

[audiosway]

If the Mavs goal is to play Kyrie, Klay and Luka together for the majority of minutes, then I think the Mavs are going to get Grant Williams'd again. It has been universally acknowledged by GSW fans for a year and a half that Klay is not starter quality any longer, and should be coming off the bench. This was on a team which had more defense than a lineup of Kyrie, Klay, Luka, PJW and Lively.

I think the best role for Klay here is to accompany one of Luka/Kyrie when the other is sitting... while having one of Grimes, Exum or Naji alongside them (along with PJW and Lifford)... and for Klay to provide a much better scoring impact in that role than THJ, Hardy or Green did before. It will also be valuable to have Klay's experience and knowledge about things like playing off screens for others to learn from. The big question for me here is: is Grimes, Exum and Naji good enough, and can Grimes and Exum stay healthy enough.

Also, I'm sorry but thinking about PJW as the POA defender, which the guys on this podcast brought up... is just lazy and it's dangerous thinking too, because it will inevitably lead to PJW being injured.

Seriously? GSW fans have no idea what they are talking about. I see you added a link to real gm. The level of actual knowledge of the game is nonexistent on realgm. Just saying... The reason for benching Klay is because Curry is 37, Green and Klay are both 34. The Warriors currently have about 5 guys on the roster that are about to come off of their rookie deals and they need to know what they have before paying them or letting them walk.

Lacob is also up against the 2nd apron and about to become a repeater of that. They were $30 million OVER the 2nd Apron last season. Last season was I believe the 4th season straight with them being over the 2nd Apron.

If they would have kept Klay they would have had a combined salary and tax this coming season of 500 million dollars. Combine that with it limiting what they can do with draft picks in trades, the ability to make trades, and more.

They have spent and spent and spent and the piper has come to collect. That's what is going on with GS right now. That's actually common knowledge. It has nothing to do with Klay declining as a player. Anyone who thinks Klay can't defend or shoot anymore is about to be in for a huge surprise. The 34 year old version of Klay is the same player as the 32 year old version. This last season he didn't want to be there because they weren't really trying to keep him.

The previous season Klay had a season high of 50 points, he shot 88% from the free throw line, played in and started 69 games, shot 41% from 3 on nearly 11 attempts per game. He averaged 22 points per game. That is the Klay Thompson we are getting.

[WildArkieBoy]

Seriously? GSW fans have no idea what they are talking about. I see you added a link to real gm. The level of actual knowledge of the game is nonexistent on realgm. Just saying... The reason for benching Klay is because Curry is 37, Green and Klay are both 34. The Warriors currently have about 5 guys on the roster that are about to come off of their rookie deals and they need to know what they have before paying them or letting them walk.

Lacob is also up against the 2nd apron and about to become a repeater of that. They were $30 million OVER the 2nd Apron last season. Last season was I believe the 4th season straight with them being over the 2nd Apron.

If they would have kept Klay they would have had a combined salary and tax this coming season of 500 million dollars. Combine that with it limiting what they can do with draft picks in trades, the ability to make trades, and more.

They have spent and spent and spent and the piper has come to collect. That's what is going on with GS right now. That's actually common knowledge. It has nothing to do with Klay declining as a player. Anyone who thinks Klay can't defend or shoot anymore is about to be in for a huge surprise. The 34 year old version of Klay is the same player as the 32 year old version. This last season he didn't want to be there because they weren't really trying to keep him.

The previous season Klay had a season high of 50 points, he shot 88% from the free throw line, played in and started 69 games, shot 41% from 3 on nearly 11 attempts per game. He averaged 22 points per game. That is the Klay Thompson we are getting.

I will sleep well tonight!

[RGP1981]

I found myself almost agreeing with some of your points, until this. Whaaattt?? They brought up that Game 1 he came in and guarded SGA, proving that he was going to be an excellent defender for this team. They blew out the best team in the West that day. Of course there will be smaller/quicker guards that initiate the offense that PJ wouldn’t be as effective guarding but to say their analysis is lazy or dangerous is just ignorant. No offense intended.

No offense taken, Smitty.

Well, when they were discussing it, it didn't seem like they were talking about doing it for 1 game... but for the whole season. Can PJW serve as a POA defender for the majority of minutes in a game or two, or even for quite a few? I have no doubt that he can. For a whole season though? That's just asking for trouble because PJW may be slightly under-sized for his position but he's still a big guy. Something will break sooner or later if that becomes an extended role for him, like with Jonathan Isaac.

Btw, when I used the word "dangerous", I meant dangerous to the Mavs chances and hopes for the season. No PJW = no party.

[Smitty]

Well, when they were discussing it, it didn't seem like they weren't talking about doing it for 1 game... but for the whole season. Can PJW serve as a POA defender for a game or two, or even for quite a few? I have no doubt that he can. For a whole season though? That's just asking for trouble because PJW may be slightly under-sized for his position but he's still a big guy.

I don’t think PJ will be the primary POA defender all year, but he absolutely will be at times. I think that role will be a combination of Grimes, Naji and Exum. This idea that that all 30+ minutes the big 3 play will all be at the same time is crazy to me. Also, Klay is not “washed” he’s not what he once was which was arguably one of the best defenders in the NBA but he’s still above average or average at worst. Defense is a TEAM stat and it’s up to the coach to stagger minutes and find the best lineup combinations against each individual matchup.