Trade & FA 2024-25:

[LukaMVP]

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.

I think Klay will player better than he did last season, being a legit third option, or the second option with either of Kyrie and luka sitting. I agree that playing luka, Klay and Kyrie simultaneously on court would be challenging defensively. Klay will start for us but I guess Kyrie will be subbed out earlier in the first quarter and will get back earlier, then luka and Klay sit resting. so the overall playing time for luka/Kyrie will be reduced to a more sustainable level which will help them maintain good health and form through the long season and playoffs. kidd can find a way to start Klay without playing them three together for too long on court imho.

[RGP1981]

I think Klay will player better than he did last season, being a legit third option, or the second option with either of Kyrie and luka sitting. I agree that playing luka, Klay and Kyrie simultaneously on court would be challenging defensively. Klay will start for us but I guess Kyrie will be subbed out earlier in the first quarter and will get back earlier, then luka and Klay sit resting. so the overall playing time for luka/Kyrie will be reduced to a more sustainable level which will help them maintain good health and form through the long season and playoffs. kidd can find a way to start Klay without playing them three together for too long on court imho.

You and I are on the same page, and I hope for this too... i.e., Kidd can find a way to start Klay without playing them three for too long, and that having Klay should reduce Luka/Kyrie minutes to a more sustainable level and help them maintain good health.

I'm also hoping that being able to practice alongside Klay will improve everyone's shooting form. This last one may be an overly optimistic hope though, lol.

[LukaMVP]

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.

agree. Klay may be a worse defender than what he used to be after losing lateral quickness due to injuries, but his defensive awareness and good hands remain there. at least he wouldn't make those dumb fouls we often saw Josh green making, which imho enables Klay to contribute just as much defensively as Josh green, if not more, in a different style though. Klay will be a starter as he was promised, Kyrie will also start but he's most likely going to play considerable minutes in the sixth man role, leading the 2 unit and keeping the boat afloat while luka and Klay are resting, assuming we can't find a better option for that role this summer. if we are trailing in the fourth maybe we'll see all three of them playing on court, while if we're leading in the fourth, by a comfortable margin especially, then we will see a more defensive lineup with one or even two of them sitting.

[LukaMVP]

I understand people downplaying klay's current ability, when he was not yet signed as a mav, with multiple teams also showing strong interests in him, and when his expected salary could possibly be high enough to hamper our team's flexibility financially, not to say the potential cost in assets. with all those in mind, it wouldn't be too much of a disappointment even if he ended up elsewhere. but as he is already signed by mavs, at such a reasonable price, I don't think there's any reason to dislike this deal tbh.

[KillerLeft]

Thompson is making (basically) THJ money. Yes, I'm sure they promised him a starting role, but he/they also understand winning is the goal. If it doesn't work, they can reduce his minutes, have him come off the bench or even trade him. None of that would be as traumatic as what he went through these past couple of years in GS, because he didn't help lead this franchise to four championships. I'm sure he has a realistic view of what he's up against with his aging these next few years. It's not like he's written in as a 30 minute-starter in blood. I'm sure they have a plan to make it work, and I'm sure they'll try like heck to keep his role as big as possible in order to reap the benefits of playing him on offense. But, push come to shove, they're gong to care about winning more than they care about whether Thompson is happy.

Further, both Marshall AND Grimes seem to be not only good defenders, but TWO-WAY players, meaning the choice to play them isn't a tough one between offense and defense. I think there's a chance, depending on how the rotation works and how well those guys fit in, that the team improves, defensively. I feel almost certain that the offense has improved quite a bit, and it seems like maybe they're not done yet.

It's true that they might not currently have a perimeter defender as impactful as DJJ was last season, but it's ALSO true that playing him made life pretty tough in the half-court, offensively. At this point, we just need to trust that they have a vision for how this fits together, and they've given us very little reason (recently) to doubt them.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Klay looks to be a good add, but I'm concerned the Mavs D will go down a notch without DJJ. I think he's going to be missed big time. Not only was he their best POA defender, he was a additional lob threat at the rim. Sure, Klay is the better scorer obviously, but they gave up defense for offense in this move. And Marshall had a breakout year but does he revert back to the mean? Grimes has been hurt with knee issues as well. Not being a Debbie Downer, but I have concerns about Klay's defense. Audiosway says he's still good, but in the 4th qtr, Kerr started benching him for younger players. That's one of the reasons he wanted out, along with not getting the contract he felt he deserved.

[WildArkieBoy]

Klay looks to be a good add, but I'm concerned the Mavs D will go down a notch without DJJ. I think he's going to be missed big time. Not only was he their best POA defender, he was a additional lob threat at the rim. Sure, Klay is the better scorer obviously, but they gave up defense for offense in this move. And Marshall had a breakout year but does he revert back to the mean? Grimes has been hurt with knee issues as well.  Not being a Debbie Downer, but I have concerns about Klay's defense. Audiosway says he's still good, but in the 4th qtr, Kerr started benching him for younger players. That's one of the reasons he wanted out, along with not getting the contract he felt he deserved.

Think about great Luka passes followed by "bricked" shots.  Klay is more than a "nice" add and Nazi Marshall is something beyond "catch and shoot."  My primary concern is the loss of skilled assistant coaches. . . . . One intriguing thing; the odd summer announcement that DLive will be starting.  We all knew Lively was the more talented despite Gafford's starting, but a summer announcement? Does anyone else find that strange?

[F Gump]

One intriguing thing; the odd summer announcement that DLive will be starting.  We all knew Lively was the more talented despite Gafford's starting, but a summer announcement? Does anyone else find that strange?

I discounted that as a real announcement. To me, it was worded like an assumption, not something from the Mavs necessarily.

[ThisIStheYear]

Adding a point guard makes sense. Luka isn’t right and will miss games next year. The Mavs need some insurance. I’d go with DSJ.

[DL2RimRocker]

Not a big DSJ fan but would be okay with him in this situation.
I'd definitely be okay with Dinwiddie.

[SleepingHero]

Not a big DSJ fan but would be okay with him in this situation.
I'd definitely be okay with Dinwiddie.

What makes you more into Dinwiddie? Do you think he can have another career revival here? More into the scoring aspect?

DSJ has quietly remade himself into a lockdown defender. Not much of a scorer, but he still attacks the rim like we all remember. 

Between the two I think I'm going with DSJ just due to age and where they're at in their careers. If I can't have him I think Lowry is a better choice than Dinwiddie.

[Halfnir]

Kidd can find a way to start Klay without playing them three for too long, and that having Klay should reduce Luka/Kyrie minutes to a more sustainable level and help them maintain good health.

I hope this will happen. If they want to start Luka/Kyrie/Klay/PJW/Center for prestige reasons, i guess that after ~4mins Kyrie will come out to be replaced by a defender in Grimes to come back later for Luka. Then in Q2+Q3 try to always have 2 out of Luka/Klay/Kyrie + 2 Defenders out of PJW/Grimes/Marshall/Exum/Omax + 1 Center out of Lively/Gafford/Kleber. Close the game in Q4 with either garbage time unit or whatever it takes to win the game.

I think Klay is still a plus defender in a good defensive system. Not a 1-1 stopper or POA defender, but also not a liability. What would be game changer is when Luka would also be able to bring consistent defensive effort and focus, but i have my doubts about that. Maybe he manages to do so in the "Big3" minutes at least.

[jon.neal52]

My vote is for DSJ. Would love him off the bench with this young group.

[Winter]

My vote is for DSJ. Would love him off the bench with this young group.

The fact that the Mavs have done nothing yet makes me think they believe they can afford to wait.... on something or somebody.

[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.

Rotations tighten up in the playoffs (BTW this is one of my concerns with our current team...but that is a ways off).   I think the most likely outcome is Exum is the main PG backup this year.   Although, looking at the stats in the playoffs, Exum scored 1 game of more than 10 points (Game 4 blowout).  Scoring wasn't really his task, and he really wasn't given many minutes.  In fact, only in 6 games did he play more than 10 minutes in the playoffs.   What is weird is he played around 20 minutes a night leading up to he playoffs.   Does Kidd want a backup PG who he can trust 20-25 minutes a night?   Did he lose trust in Exum?   I didn't think Hardy had the reps or was ready for this stage.  He succeeded my expectations in the playoffs but I still think he needs a lot of reps to be ready for that stage.   Hardaway was done.   Did Kidd think Hardy was ready or did he just feel Hardy was the last option he had because he didn't think Exum would deliver.   

Just spitballing here...again I expect Exum back, but just wondering if Kidd wants something more for that spot.  We are a deeper team this year, but still need another ball handler.  Either as an emergency guy or do they think they need to upgrade Exum too?

[Kidnova]

Rotations tighten up in the playoffs (BTW this is one of my concerns with our current team...but that is a ways off).   I think the most likely outcome is Exum is the main PG backup this year.   Although, looking at the stats in the playoffs, Exum scored 1 game of more than 10 points (Game 4 blowout).  Scoring wasn't really his task, and he really wasn't given many minutes.  In fact, only in 6 games did he play more than 10 minutes in the playoffs.   What is weird is he played around 20 minutes a night leading up to he playoffs.   Does Kidd want a backup PG who he can trust 20-25 minutes a night?   Did he lose trust in Exum?   I didn't think Hardy had the reps or was ready for this stage.  He succeeded my expectations in the playoffs but I still think he needs a lot of reps to be ready for that stage.   Hardaway was done.   Did Kidd think Hardy was ready or did he just feel Hardy was the last option he had because he didn't think Exum would deliver.   

Just spitballing here...again I expect Exum back, but just wondering if Kidd wants something more for that spot.  We are a deeper team this year, but still need another ball handler.  Either as an emergency guy or do they think they need to upgrade Exum too?

Luka and Kyrie were each averaging around 40 mins per game in the playoffs.  Not a lot of minutes available for a backup PG in that scenario, so you'd expect Exum's minutes to drop compared to the regular season where those two were playing 35-37 minutes.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Highkin] Anfernee Simons is a name to watch on the trade market
On draft night, Cronin said the Blazers are ‘committed’ to building around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, and didn’t mention Simons’ name. Simons also appears open to a move—at his end-of-season exit interview in April, he said he wants ‘the opportunity to win,’ which is very plainly not where the Blazers are right now or will be in the next few years.”

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Lot of people talking about Klay's defense like they talked about Dandre Jordan when we got him (unwilling to confront reality). They're in for a rude awakening.

Gonna be interesting how Kidd makes it work/does the rotation. Will be a fun/interesting regular season.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Kyle Anderson signed with GSW at exact Naji money. I think I'd rather Naji, but SlowMo is an amazing defender.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Lot of people talking about Klay's defense like they talked about Dandre Jordan when we got him.  They're in for a rude awakening.  Gonna be interesting how Kidd makes it work/does the rotation.

Ya, irrational exuberance hits once he's your player.  Klay has lost more than a step on D.  He's 34 after all.  His defensive rating is pedestrian at best (similar to THJ).