Trade & FA 2024-25:

[ballsrchr]

1. OMax hasn't really had a chance. When he has had some chances, he's looked so-so. Defensively great, offensively not great. DFS looked like that for years with heavy minutes before breaking out. OMax has the unfortunate (well, fortunate for us) problem of being on a finals capable team. Minutes are tight. So I'm not ready to write him off yet. But, yes he can still play in the G-League as much as the Mavs want him to play there.

2. I'm actually with you here. Hardy is a fantastic scorer. But after 3 years I just don't think he has it in him to be a valuable contributor on a finals team. He's still too one-dimensional. I think he'd go for more than a 2nd round pick though. 

3. Maxi looks done offensively, sure. But like I said above, he's having one of his better defensive seasons. Still think it's silly to trade him.

I agree with this--except for Jaden Hardy.  It's too early!...and he's on a team friendly contract.  He needs a coach that can help him with his shortcomings--dribbling into traffic, not passing out, floor management, and the big one that's hard to teach, VISION.  I've seen dribs and drabs of all these--which leaves me with hope.  I would almost say that there was initial mismanagement of Hardy's training.  I AM hard on coaches...

2 more years (I think) and then it's a team option.  I also don't think he can be traded until 4/22/25--according to spotrac.  I could be wrong about everything--a significant aspect of my life up to this point...

[Chicagojk]

I agree with this--except for Jaden Hardy.  It's too early!...and he's on a team friendly contract.  He needs a coach that can help him with his shortcomings--dribbling into traffic, not passing out, floor management, and the big one that's hard to teach, VISION.  I've seen dribs and drabs of all these--which leaves me with hope.  I would almost say that there was initial mismanagement of Hardy's training.  I AM hard on coaches...

2 more years (I think) and then it's a team option.  I also don't think he can be traded until 4/22/25--according to spotrac.  I could be wrong about everything--a significant aspect of my life up to this point...

I wished by now he would iron this out a little, but Hardy is always a player who looks much better when he is shooting well.  It impacts the rest of his game.   That is pretty common for younger players, but especially for a player like Jaden.   You typically now early in a game if he has it.    Last year he started out the year slow as well and by playoff time was playing some important minutes.   Those minutes will be harder to get this year.

I thought initially that he would looked good paired with Kyrie...and he has at times.  I now think that pairing him with Luka really helps.   Similar to Maxi.   Luka can make his weaknesses not stand out and put him in his best spots...just like Maxi.

Speaking of Maxi.   I think he is a relatively low minute player now.   I was thinking that pairing him with Lively and Luka is the lineup that he may work best in.  Fill the roster with the other two spots.   Lively and Maxi can protect the rim and switch as needed.   Luka can dissect the defense with lobs to Lively or open threes for Maxi.   Getting this matchup can be a little tricky though if Lively is starting and Luka is playing most of the first quarter though.  Can you get this lineup for 4-5 minutes a half?

[gomavs]

1) yes, he can still play in G-league.  I wouldn't call him a bust.  The game is just moving too fast for him right now.   He should be further along being a three year college player and being in his second year in the NBA.   I am just trying to figure it if he just lacks the basketball IQ or because the game moves to fast for him that he just appears a step slow.   When you see a rebound or a lose ball, he is just a tick slow reacting.    The highlights from college were awesome.   I think there is a pretty good player in there and I think he is a kid who will work his butt off, but we just haven't seen it yet.  Sometimes it clicks...sometimes it doesn't.

2) I think Hardy is a prime trade candidate.  That skill set doesn't bring much back though.  He will clearly be outside the main rotation when everyone is healthy.   It is probably smart to be patient with him too though, but willing to move him if you get a better fitting part.  I have little doubt he could do similar stats as the Utah second year guard (even though the Utah guard is better handling the ball).   

3) I think this is the prime opportunity to give Maxi minutes.  He offers a unique skill set even though he is a zero on offense right now.    We should be looking at eventual replacements (hopefully Omax), but if he can't stay healthy than we have our answer.   Ideally, he isn't going to be a heavy minute player.   Can he play 10 minutes a night in a playoff game...where every now and then gets 20 plus depending on good play and matchups?   There really isn't a lot of room for minutes in that role imo if PJ and our centers are healthy.   Maxi can provide a unique skill set.    It just is really painful to watch him try to score or pass right now.

1)  I am sticking with my original view here: Omax looks like a bust.  We were all excited to see what he would do his first year here, but it was Lively who surprised (in a good way) and Omax who disappointed.  I have seen enough to make this move: Omax in the G-league all season long - don't call him up at all.

2) Man, was I excited about Hardy that first year.  He looked like he could develop into the next Kyrie Irving!  But, he just does not have the instincts and smarts for it.  I would have traded him last year.  So, at this point, I just trade him and take whatever I can get.  Yes, I know that now we would be "selling low", but sometimes that is all you can do.  Also, I would like to re-stock our draft cupboard.

3)  I am not looking to trade Maxi.  I actually agree with others on this board, who think that any trade would hurt us more than help.  I would modify that to "any player-for-player" trade would hurt us.  I am OK with trading end-of-bench players for future draft picks.  So, instead of trading Maxi, I want him to play this season out at low minutes, and then be bought out to retire a Mav.

[KillerLeft]

I'm getting worried about O-Max, just like everyone else, but I'm still buying your unwanted acres of land on O-Max island. All of the shops in town have closed, so there isn't much to do there, but I've got enough supplies to hold out for a couple more years and will happily continue to buy and develop.

[michaeltex]

I think the biggest asset Hardy brings is speed, and with Kidd wanting an increased space he will fit that bill. Just need to level up in decision making with the ball and watching Luka/Kyrie, and even Marshall/Grimes, should help him better understand how to stay in control. Even if you trade him, I don't think you are getting a reasonable contributor back.

Someone previously said Maxi isn't an every day player. I disagree. He is an everyday player, he's just not an everyday starter. If he can stay healthy long enough to regain confidence in his 3pt shot in a game setting, then he will make a difference come playoff time. He was an important contributor in the last playoffs until he hurt his shoulder trying to emulate Air Jordan.

It has to be a special frustration to the coaching staff that the physical specimen that is OMax can't seem to find a way to break in to the rotation.

[F Gump]

IF Hardy can be traded this year, which I don't believe he can due to rookie extension rules, then I'd be all for seeing what we could get for him. Although his modest deal means we aren't getting much back.

Hardy is trade eligible already. He did NOT sign a "rookie extension" contract, as those only pertain to 1st rounders.

[F Gump]

Oh my...

I missed this in my CBA class (read- me sitting in my room trying to understand the CBA). I thought due to the timing of Hardy's extension coming after training camp, it prevents him from being able to be traded this year? Does Hardy's contract come with a poison pill calculation as well then? 

If so, then the math for the Mavs to get a guy like Cam Johnson gets a little bit easier this year (although still practically impossible).

There is no unusual salary-match math on his contract afaik. It is about $2M. 

Cam Johnson is not an answer - Mavs already have a 4 they like, at a smaller salary.

[KillerLeft]

Cam Johnson is not an answer - Mavs already have a 4 they like, at a smaller salary.

I agree, and in a more general sense, I'm not sure they really need to think about trading anyone for anything at the moment. I might feel differently by the trade deadline, but for now, this roster feels pretty complete to me. There are obviously upgrades out there, but maybe not names that are available, and I'd be hesitant to sacrifice the salary structure and depth they have set up right now for only a marginal upgrade in one area.

[Smitty]

I agree, and in a more general sense, I'm not sure they really need to think about trading anyone for anything at the moment. I might feel differently by the trade deadline, but for now, this roster feels pretty complete to me. There are obviously upgrades out there, but maybe not names that are available, and I'd be hesitant to sacrifice the salary structure and depth they have set up right now for only a marginal upgrade in one area.

I agree that I don't think they should trade for anyone and that the roster is in a good spot. I think they WILL trade for someone though. They've made a trade at the deadline every year that I can remember. 

Thier options are limited this year however, with likely only having 6 players being "tradable" in their view: Maxi, Hardy, Exum, Omax, Powell and Dinwiddie. Only one of those players has a salary higher than 4M. Maxi and his 11M are what fantasy traders will have to use for all their fake trades.

[SleepingHero]

There is no unusual salary-match math on his contract afaik. It is about $2M. 

Cam Johnson is not an answer - Mavs already have a 4 they like, at a smaller salary.

Thanks for the clarification. 

I actually agree that Cam Johnson isn’t the answer right now. I don’t really think there is a trade that makes sense both from a talent upgrade perspective and the relative cost of the trade via contract matching. 


But I am interested perhaps in maybe one of the Indiana forwards currently buried behind Siakam. Obi Toppin matches a lot of what the Mavs like from that position. He can’t really shoot but his athleticism is enough to overcome that. Jarace Walker has been a big disappointment, but his contract fits pretty cleanly with Hardy’s upcoming one. His defensive versatility and size still interests me.

[SleepingHero]

@nationmffl

"Within league circles, there’s been quiet discourse about whether the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks will eventually land Butler, a Texas native, should he and Miami decide to part ways."

- Michael Scotto on Jimmy Butler's future

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Thanks for the clarification. 

I actually agree that Cam Johnson isn’t the answer right now. I don’t really think there is a trade that makes sense both from a talent upgrade perspective and the relative cost of the trade via contract matching. 


But I am interested perhaps in maybe one of the Indiana forwards currently buried behind Siakam. Obi Toppin matches a lot of what the Mavs like from that position. He can’t really shoot but his athleticism is enough to overcome that. Jarace Walker has been a big disappointment, but his contract fits pretty cleanly with Hardy’s upcoming one. His defensive versatility and size still interests me.

Yes.  Obi would be ideal.  His 3pt shooting dramatically improved last year, but down so far this year.  We can use that length and athleticism.  He can be traded on Dec 15th.

Does Carisle want Maxi back?

OMax and Maxi for Obi works.

1 Luka, 10 Din
2 Kyrie, 7 Grimes
5 Naji, 6 Klay
4 PJ, 8 Obi
3 Lively, 9 Gafford

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

@nationmffl

"Within league circles, there’s been quiet discourse about whether the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks will eventually land Butler, a Texas native, should he and Miami decide to part ways."

- Michael Scotto on Jimmy Butler's future

Unless it's to replace Klay, I don't see Jimmy fitting in here.

[SleepingHero]

Unless it's to replace Klay, I don't see Jimmy fitting in here.

I don’t see it either and I wouldn’t even do it to replace Klay. Klay at 15 mil vs. Jimmy on a max deal is a no brainer question to me on who to pick. 

But I couldn’t resist making a funny click bait headline.

[Jym]

You'd have to trade Kyrie to make the Jimmy money work and that's a hard no for me
Couldn't have imagined saying that a couple years ago

[KillerLeft]

If you told me you were from the future and you KNEW the Mavs were going to make a trade this season, I'd guess that it was about the future cap more than the current roster. Kyrie has a player option this summer - he's going to get paid. They have the Grimes thing to deal with this summer, also. Gafford, Kleber and PJW all have contractual question marks coming in the near future, and all of this lives in the shadow of the coming Luka contract extension, which will be CRAZY.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

You'd have to trade Kyrie to make the Jimmy money work and that's a hard no for me
Couldn't have imagined saying that a couple years ago

Right????  Can you imagine 3 years ago saying you wouldn't trade Kyrie for Jimmy?!  

Really and truly, Kyrie's acceptance of his role in the franchise has turned things completely around.

[Chicagojk]

@nationmffl

"Within league circles, there’s been quiet discourse about whether the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks will eventually land Butler, a Texas native, should he and Miami decide to part ways."

- Michael Scotto on Jimmy Butler's future

Houston makes sense.   Although they have gotten off to a hot start they may want to let this play out more.   Miami clearly needs a reset.  They are stuck in no mans land with an older, expiring contract Jimmy Butler.    Houston has indicated they want to be aggressive and they have plenty of assets.  I have no idea what the asking price would be.   Or if it would be the best move for Houston long term.  They have so many assets though, that they are in good/great position regardless. 

Jalen Green and Jabari?  That seems like quite a lot but both could be redundant especially if the consider Thompson and Eason are untouchable.    Green, Whitmore and a pick?    I don't think Miami would go for a pick heavy offer imo.   

This would allow Miami to reset.  Make everyone besides Bam available and try to do a 1-2 year quick rebuild.   I would assume you could get more if Butler agreed to an extension with Houston.   Houston gets a killer but one who has shown some wear and tear the last few years.  

I saw a report teams are monitoring De'Aron Fox in Sacramento after their slow start.  That could be interesting if things don't turn around by the trade deadline.   My guess though is he will be there for at least another year.   Sacramento thought their team would be better.  So far they haven't been.

[Mavs2021]

If you told me you were from the future and you KNEW the Mavs were going to make a trade this season, I'd guess that it was about the future cap more than the current roster. Kyrie has a player option this summer - he's going to get paid. They have the Grimes thing to deal with this summer, also. Gafford, Kleber and PJW all have contractual question marks coming in the near future, and all of this lives in the shadow of the coming Luka contract extension, which will be CRAZY.

I can´t see it either. The only realistically tradeable pieces are Kleber/Klay. Unless there is a major fallout/trade demand by Klay, I don´t see the Mavs proactively shopping him due to the bad optics and Kleber by himself is not an easy trade upgrade.

The most realistic outcome for me at the moment is that we play it out with the current roster. Then it´s hard to say what our super-rich owners do in the summer. 

I´d expect a decision between Klay and Grimes. At the moment it´s an easy one, but who knows what happens in the play-offs.

[Smitty]

If you told me you were from the future and you KNEW the Mavs were going to make a trade this season, I'd guess that it was about the future cap more than the current roster. Kyrie has a player option this summer - he's going to get paid. They have the Grimes thing to deal with this summer, also. Gafford, Kleber and PJW all have contractual question marks coming in the near future, and all of this lives in the shadow of the coming Luka contract extension, which will be CRAZY.

Spot on. We argue about 9-12 and who's at what spot in the rotation - but having 17M tied up in and injured Maxi and an underperforming Hardy next year, who are in that category, I can see the Mavs needing to get their money off the books. Next year's 14M Gafford luxury might be something to keep an eye on also.