Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

It was misinterpreted, I think, relative to his meaning. But, the fault was his, not a lack of context, because his meaning was difficult to glean, due to the clumsiness and confusing nature of his analogy. It was a quote that probably wouldn't exist if he had thought about it more before speaking. There were far better ways, less open to interpretation ways, of expressing what I think he was trying to express.

I still really don't understand what Dinwiddie was trying to say.

It really made no sense.

[F Gump]

Lawsons guarantee is on 1st of October, so I think he is dropped to resign Morris.

While I suspect that Lawson will be dropped to sign Morris, he has no "guarantee date" in his contract at all.

Until he is waived, it is a "pay as you go" deal, prorated daily from the opening day of the season. If he is not waived before the season starts, he gets paid for however long he is on the roster.

The league eventually has a date (in January) when all non-guaranteed contracts become guaranteed for the rest of the year.

Once SD is signed the Mavs appear to have 15 on NBA contracts, although they can actually carry up to 20 in the offseason and do have one or more others that are already on NBA deals (non guaranteed)..

[F Gump]

I still really don't understand what Dinwiddie was trying to say.

It really made no sense.

It made perfect sense to me. Follow the money, it's just that simple.

As players tend to do, he wanted more - so he equated "how much did each team offer me" with a willingness to win (or try to win) (or ability to win), and he also was trying to blow smoke to praise the team that offered him more.

He may have also seen himself as the added piece that would take LAL to another level. Was he? Um no.

[From Dirk to SCREW YOU Nico]

Current Mavs roster situation and how close they are to the 1st apron:


Player                         Salary          Notes
1 Doncic                     43,031,940
2 Irving                     42,000,000   
3 PJ Washington         16,000,000   
4 Klay Thompson         15,873,016
5 Gafford                   13,394,160
6 Maxi                       11,000,000
7 Marshall                   8,571,429
8 Lively                       5,014,560
9 Grimes                     4,296,682
10 Powell                     4,000,000
11 Exum                     3,150,000   
12 Omax                     2,870,400
13 Lawson                    2,120,683    NG
14 Hardy                     2,019,699   
15 Dinwiddie                2,093,637
~ Morris-
Dead                           2,208,856    McGee

Total Salary                 177,645,062

                                              Space Under/(Over)
First Apron          178,655,000      1,009,938
Second Apron      189,486,000    11,840,938

The stupidity of JaVale keeps on giving...

[F Gump]

Current Mavs roster situation and how close they are to the 1st apron:


Player                         Salary          Notes
1 Doncic                     43,031,940
2 Irving                     42,000,000   
3 PJ Washington         16,000,000   
4 Klay Thompson         15,873,016
5 Gafford                   13,394,160
6 Maxi                       11,000,000
7 Marshall                   8,571,429
8 Lively                       5,014,560
9 Grimes                     4,296,682
10 Powell                     4,000,000
11 Exum                     3,150,000   
12 Omax                     2,870,400
13 Lawson                    2,120,683    NG
14 Hardy                     2,019,699   
15 Dinwiddie                2,093,637
~ Morris-
Dead                           2,208,856    McGee

Total Salary                 177,645,062

                                              Space Under/(Over)
First Apron          178,655,000      1,009,938
Second Apron      189,486,000    11,840,938

Mavs space under apron is considerably less. Mavs are about 0.5M from the apron.

You seem to be operating on outdated NBA numbers. Your apron numbers are quite a bit higher than the real numbers. Dinwiddie's number will be slightly lower.

Apron 1 is 178.132M.

[Knutsen]

It made perfect sense to me. Follow the money, it's just that simple.

As players tend to do, he wanted more - so he equated "how much did each team offer me" with a willingness to win (or try to win) (or ability to win), and he also was trying to blow smoke to praise the team that offered him more.

He may have also seen himself as the added piece that would take LAL to another level. Was he? Um no.

Are you referring to the quote of him saying the Mavs are the protecting mother opposed to the Lakers as the pushing father? 

I interpreted that the Lakers were the far more challenging option for him because he already knew how comfortable he is within the Mavs organization - maybe combined with the chance for a much bigger role. But now since he‘s back with his mum it‘ll be interesting to see what he has to say about it…

[Chicagojk]

It seems like we may be seeing more veterans where money dries up and decide to go to a good team at the minimum. Thais has always happened but I feel like it may happen more moving forward. Most won’t matter in the end but a few could. These are players who are just miscast on bad teams but if they can swallow their pride and play a reduced role they could really help good teams.


It is one of the reasons why Denver’s offseason has been so puzzling. I still think they will be good…. Maybe real good because that dude is just that great. But Russell Westbrook???! I would rather have Dinwiddie over him or several other guys. What about a guy like Hayward and Fultz? I think that can be smart signings. I just don’t get the appeal with Westbrook…especially how Dallas guarded him in the playoffs.

[SkenfromLMF]

Mavs space under apron is considerably less. Mavs are about 0.5M from the apron.

You seem to be operating on outdated NBA numbers. Your apron numbers are quite a bit higher than the real numbers. Dinwiddie's number will be slightly lower.

Apron 1 is 178.132M.

Not that I have the greatest of faith in my numbers BUT I show the Mavs as being $228k OVER the apron with Lawson as the 15th. My guess is that some of the difference is in interpreting bonuses and which ones count toward the Apron.
That being said, my gut says the fix is waiving Lawson and replacing him with Ajinca. Ajinca (being a draft pick) is exempt from the 2 year veteran for ALL minimum salaries, when projecting Apron.

My heart HOPES we can trade Hardy (who -as a pick himself- actually makes it worse by 80k) or Exum with Powell for 2 players whose salaries are equivalent to 3 minimum salaried veterans (~$ 6.3 million).

[F Gump]

Not that I have the greatest of faith in my numbers BUT I show the Mavs as being $228k OVER the apron with Lawson as the 15th. My guess is that some of the difference is in interpreting bonuses and which ones count toward the Apron.

That being said, my gut says the fix is waiving Lawson and replacing him with Ajinca. Ajinca (being a draft pick) is exempt from the 2 year veteran for ALL minimum salaries, when projecting Apron.

My heart HOPES we can trade Hardy (who -as a pick himself- actually makes it worse by 80k) or Exum with Powell for 2 players whose salaries are equivalent to 3 minimum salaried veterans (~$ 6.3 million).

I think the raw salary numbers at Spotrac are accurate. (Their totals are unclear as to how they are derived, and often include irrelevant items, so I ignore them. But the individual salaries tend to be reliable.)

I currently show them as being 493,056 below apron 1.

For apron purposes, (1) all incentive bonuses count (trade kickers do not) and (2) all one-year minimum contracts are the same, at 2-yr-experience level, except for 2nd rounders in year 1 or 2.

Mavs supposedly have 15, but there is still room for some noodling around at the bottom of the roster.

We've been told Morris will be added. If Lawson will be replaced by Morris, they gain about 33K in room.

There is no value in carrying a player (Ajinca) who has no real purpose and who is not useful to develop. If/when they waive Lawson, they can just leave the space empty, and you have lots of room (and a space to add a player when needed, such as a buyout).

I tend to think they will carry 14. I understand the Mavs rationale for having Morris on the roster, but it sure seems like there should be a more efficient solution, financially, if you want a cheerleader-chemistry person to hang out with the team. 

Waiving Lawson is one part of how they might get to 14 (or 15), but will there be something else? Your thoughts (moving players like Hardy or Exum for draft capital) make sense if they pursue more.

[F Gump]

How about a trade of Grimes and Hardy for Ty Jones (starting salary $6M)?

[RGP1981]

How about a trade of Grimes and Hardy for Ty Jones (starting salary $6M)?

No. But you can trade Powell and Hardy.

[mvossman]

How about a trade of Grimes and Hardy for Ty Jones (starting salary $6M)?

That is too much value to give up in a S&T for a 6M player.  Plus, it does not make sense from a fit perspective.  We have already swung hard (possibly too hard) towards offense this offseason.  I think you are sleeping on Grimes.  I don't think we have ever had a player quite like him.  A plus POA defender and high volume shooter.  That volume is a big deal.  It means he is taking more difficult shots than guys with lower volume.  In a down year this season he still shot 39% on wide open shots (which is the only shot most of our guys take).  In the previous two seasons (including his rookie year) he shot 44% on wide open.  He is the best floor spacer on the team outside of the top 3 guys and its not close.  Combine that with the usual Luka bump, and his plus defense and he is a perfect fit next to Luka.  I think by the TDL he will be top 5 or 6 in minutes and he has an outside shot to crack the starting rotation if its determined we need more defense with that group.

[SleepingHero]

@wojespn
ESPN Sources: Veteran guard Reggie Jackson — who agreed on a contract buyout with the Charlotte Hornets — plans to join the Philadelphia 76ers upon clearing waivers.

[RGP1981]

I wonder if the Bucks could be convinced to trade A.J. Johnson for Exum or Dinwiddie and a future 2nd. Maybe at the trade deadline?

G: Kyrie/Exum or Dinwiddie/Hardy
G: Klay/Grimes/Johnson
F: Luka/Naji/MelvinMav
F: PJW/Maxi/O-Max
C: Lively/Gafford/Blight

Or perhaps, Hardy + future 2nd instead of Exum/Dinwiddie, if the Bucks can be convinced they need a scoring guard to backup Lillard.

I'm interested in Johnson for the future. He could be groomed as a 3&D SG, who also drives well to the rim, and who might be able to function as the POA defender. He can learn a lot from Klay for this role. Once Klay is retired, Grimes and Johnson might be able to cover the SG position by themselves.

[SleepingHero]

I wonder if the Bucks could be convinced to trade A.J. Johnson for Exum or Dinwiddie and a future 2nd. Maybe at the trade deadline?

G: Kyrie/Exum or Dinwiddie/Hardy
G: Klay/Grimes/Johnson
F: Luka/Naji/MelvinMav
F: PJW/Maxi/O-Max
C: Lively/Gafford/Blight

Or perhaps, Hardy + future 2nd instead of Exum/Dinwiddie, if the Bucks can be convinced they need a scoring guard to backup Lillard.

I'm interested in Johnson for the future. He could be groomed as a 3&D SG, who also drives well to the rim, and who might be able to function as the POA defender. He can learn a lot from Klay for this role. Once Klay is retired, Grimes and Johnson might be able to cover the SG position by themselves.

Don't the Mavs already have a 3&D SG on the roster who has already been proven (at least more so than AJ Johnson) in Grimes? 

AJ is 6'4, 167lbs. Grimes is 6'5 205lbs. I'd rather just give minutes to Grimes than take a swing on an unknown. Especially since we're giving up proven vet depth for it.

[Scott41theMavs]

Don't the Mavs already have a 3&D SG on the roster who has already been proven (at least more so than AJ Johnson) in Grimes? 

AJ is 6'4, 167lbs. Grimes is 6'5 205lbs. I'd rather just give minutes to Grimes than take a swing on an unknown. Especially since we're giving up proven vet depth for it.

If you ask some, Grimes is still a question mark. Not my position, though.

[SleepingHero]

If you ask some, Grimes is still a question mark. Not my position, though.

Totally valid to those questioning Grimes since he's still hasn't had an established role so far his career. But is he more of a question mark than AJ Johnson (#23 pick in this year's draft)? 

And is it worth paying Exum+2nd or Dinwiddie+2nd or Hardy for that?

[Scott41theMavs]

Totally valid to those questioning Grimes since he's still hasn't had an established role so far his career. But is he more of a question mark than AJ Johnson (#23 pick in this year's draft)? 

And is it worth paying Exum+2nd or Dinwiddie+2nd or Hardy for that?

As I said, not my position.

[RGP1981]

Don't the Mavs already have a 3&D SG on the roster who has already been proven (at least more so than AJ Johnson) in Grimes? 

AJ is 6'4, 167lbs. Grimes is 6'5 205lbs. I'd rather just give minutes to Grimes than take a swing on an unknown. Especially since we're giving up proven vet depth for it.

For sure, Grimes gets the minutes now. I'm looking at AJ Johnson as someone who could or might develop to be good in the role 2-3 years from now, and who would be one of two SGs in the rotation at that time (the other being Grimes, if he sticks).

[mvossman]

Totally valid to those questioning Grimes since he's still hasn't had an established role so far his career. But is he more of a question mark than AJ Johnson (#23 pick in this year's draft)? 

And is it worth paying Exum+2nd or Dinwiddie+2nd or Hardy for that?

I feel like he had an established role in his second year as a starting 3&D player on a playoff team. Thibs was upset that he didn’t play hurt enough in playoffs and his third season went to shit as a result.