Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

Trade Machine is happy with

White 12M for Kleber 11M
Kleber + Exum + Powell 18M for White + Smith 20.5M

Simons + Reath 27.8M for Gafford + Kleber + Powell 28.3M

but I still doubt those are legal.

Only the Simons+Reath trade is legal.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

What about Coby White? He’s only making $12 million this year and $13 million next year.

I keep coming back to not trusting Dinwiddie, Hardy, Exum, or Naji to be the third offensive creator.

[Chicagojk]

I will be surprised if the Mavs make a move unless there is an injury. Although, the Mavs are in a tricky spot. They feel like they have a contender, but may be a notch below 2-3 teams in the league. Maybe.

If not injuries, I would be surprised if any of the top 7 are moved. Who is the 8th? Grimes probably, but I just wonder what his role is long term. I think he has played well. It just seems like Kidd is not sure he is a lockdown defender yet. Or is it Dinwiddie?

If #8 is Dinwiddie, I wonder if they would move Grimes or Maxi for a guy like Thybulle. Someone who they know could guard elite scorers? I think I would prefer to keep Grimes at this stage. Maxi? That is tricky (I also think you would need to attach something with Maxi), but I may hold on to him right now as well. He does not look good right now. He is so timid with anything related to the ball. Almost allergic to it. But at his best, he provides real value. So it may be best to hold on to him as a wild card.

[BigDirk41]

I will be surprised if the Mavs make a move unless there is an injury.  Although, the Mavs are in a tricky spot.  They feel like they have a contender, but may be a notch below 2-3 teams in the league.  Maybe. 

If not injuries, I would be surprised if any of the top 7 are moved.    Who is the 8th?  Grimes probably, but I just wonder what his role is long term.  I think he has played well.  It just seems like Kidd is not sure he is a lockdown defender yet.  Or is it Dinwiddie?

If #8 is Dinwiddie, I wonder if they would move Grimes or Maxi for a guy like Thybulle.  Someone who they know could guard elite scorers?  I think I would prefer to keep Grimes at this stage.  Maxi?  That is tricky (I also think you would need to attach something with Maxi), but I may hold on to him right now as well.  He does not look good right now.  He is so timid with anything related to the ball.  Almost allergic to it.  But at his best, he provides real value.  So it may be best to hold on to him as a wild card.

I'm not saying that I am right, but I would be surprised if they don't make a move. I feel like this is an all in team and if they can improve the team, they will. That's if the right trade presents itself. They won't just throw the 25 #1 away, but if they can add a rotation piece, I can see a move being made. I would throw everything we can at Herbert Jones because I think he could make the difference in a championship or not. He can make life miserable for SGA. I don't know the math for the trade, but I'd do Maxi, Omax, Hardy, our 25 #1 and whatever #2s we can include for him. Start him at the 3 and make Klay our super 6th man whether he likes it or not.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

What about Coby White? He’s only making $12 million this year and $13 million next year.

I keep coming back to not trusting Dinwiddie, Hardy, Exum, or Naji to be the third offensive creator.

I share this concern. I can see Naji in a playoff environment being a good enough 3rd creator. Dinwiddie is streaky but has been clutch for us in a playoff setting. And maybe Hardy and Exum in smaller doses?

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

I'm not saying that I am right, but I would be surprised if they don't make a move. I feel like this is an all in team and if they can improve the team, they will. That's if the right trade presents itself. They won't just throw the 25 #1 away, but if they can add a rotation piece, I can see a move being made. I would throw everything we can at Herbert Jones because I think he could make the difference in a championship or not. He can make life miserable for SGA. I don't know that math for the trade, but I'd do Maxi, Omax, Hardy, our 25 #1 and whatever #2s we can include for him. Start him at the 3 and make Klay our super 6th man whether he likes it or not.

I’m with you on that one. Herb Jones is the dream. I feel like we are having to gear everything to matching up with OKC in this window. With SA and Houston in the mix. The other great thing about Herb is he’s a “mix and match” guy who can guard up or down. 

Quick aside: as long as we stay under the first apron, and as far as I know we are 1mil. under, we can be players on the buyout market right? Any possible names on the buyout market that might make moving Gafford potentially more palatable?

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Only the Simons+Reath trade is legal.

Simons would be the most overqualified “flamethrower” off the bench, like, ever. Not a great defender but I wonder if he could level up in games that really matter. Starting him next to Luka and Kai would leave us defensively challenged. Is he potentially good enough to groom to be the Kyrie replacement? It would be tough finding enough minutes for Kai, Grimes, Simons, klay, Luka, Naji. Would think that Grimes would be in his way out in that scenario. 

Don’t think it’s at all likely and not exactly what we are looking for but interesting to ponder nonetheless.

[KillerLeft]

Since we're entertaining this (tepidly), I would like to restate my total lack of reluctance to the thought of building a trade around a Herb Jones for Daniel Gafford swap. I think that makes this team sooooooooooo much better (as long as Lively doesn't get hurt).

[Chicagojk]

I'm not saying that I am right, but I would be surprised if they don't make a move. I feel like this is an all in team and if they can improve the team, they will. That's if the right trade presents itself. They won't just throw the 25 #1 away, but if they can add a rotation piece, I can see a move being made. I would throw everything we can at Herbert Jones because I think he could make the difference in a championship or not. He can make life miserable for SGA. I don't know the math for the trade, but I'd do Maxi, Omax, Hardy, our 25 #1 and whatever #2s we can include for him. Start him at the 3 and make Klay our super 6th man whether he likes it or not.

Herb would be really interesting.   The thing is though, I don't think the Pelicans are looking to trade him.  If they did, I think the bidding STARTS at 3 first round picks.   That is how valuable his skillset is to teams.   

I think you are right about SGA though.   Hopefully it is Grimes.  But I do wonder if that is a consideration.   Do we have a guy who can give a good 20 minutes and really make life challenging for the elite scorers?

[F Gump]

Since we're entertaining this (tepidly), I would like to restate my total lack of reluctance to the thought of building a trade around a Herb Jones for Daniel Gafford swap. I think that makes this team sooooooooooo much better (as long as Lively doesn't get hurt).

You might as well have said "as long as the sun doesn't come up in the morning." The reality is that Lively is fragile, which means you need a brute to bang with big centers and wear them down AND you need someone reliable when Lively gets hurt anyway AND you need to be very limited in the minutes you play Lively.

A plan based on playing Lively as your primary center for long minutes and expecting him to be available almost every game is suicide, doomed to fail.

Trading Gafford would be a major mistake, and it's not a mistake I think they'll make (or even consider) because they realize all those things.

Gafford has flaws, but I think "not having Gafford" has infinitely more flaws.

Jones does have appeal, but not that it really matters, as reports say he really isn't on the market at all. Of course, those mindsets could change.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Since we're entertaining this (tepidly), I would like to restate my total lack of reluctance to the thought of building a trade around a Herb Jones for Daniel Gafford swap. I think that makes this team sooooooooooo much better (as long as Lively doesn't get hurt).

No backup C.
No thanks.

The reason both Lively and Gafford are aggressive in rim protection is because they have each other. Take away one and the only C would be a lot more conservative in contesting shots.

I can almost guarantee, if Gafford is traded, Mavs would be back to the team that's getting bullied in the paint constantly.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Since we're entertaining this (tepidly), I would like to restate my total lack of reluctance to the thought of building a trade around a Herb Jones for Daniel Gafford swap. I think that makes this team sooooooooooo much better (as long as Lively doesn't get hurt).

Herb is The Dream! Do you give them Gafford, Omax, 2025 1st AND 2nd? Where do we draw the line? I draw it at Naji, personally(thinking of 3 team scenarios wherein NO gets another 1st from another team) Guess it depends on how N.O. And Dallas value Omax.

I think picks in this draft are valued highly and would not toss them around lightly.Though I can see hedgng our bets with Maxi and going for another “stretch4/5” type like DFS, Olynyk, Harrison Barnes. Just don’t think any of those guys are quite worth giving up our first and our second plus contracts is likely not enough.

[KillerLeft]

You might as well have said "as long as the sun doesn't come up in the morning." The reality is that Lively is fragile, which means you need a brute to bang with big centers and wear them down AND you need someone reliable when Lively gets hurt anyway AND you need to be very limited in the minutes you play Lively.

A plan based on playing Lively as your primary center for long minutes and expecting him to be available almost every game is suicide, doomed to fail.

Trading Gafford would be a major mistake, and it's not a mistake I think they'll make (or even consider) because they realize all those things.

Gafford has flaws, but I think "not having Gafford" has infinitely more flaws.

Jones does have appeal, but not that it really matters, as reports say he really isn't on the market at all. Of course, those mindsets could change.

Yeah, I mean it's fine if we disagree. It's not an anti-Gafford sentiment, it's just that I think Jones would help more, and significantly so. 

Someone right after me suggested that he might go for 3 firsts, for comparison. I'm just saying that if such a trade were available, Daniel Gafford, who is not even the best player at his position on my team, would NOT be a hold up for me, personally. I have no idea what's real or made up out there, but the Vegas odds from a week or two back did get my attention.

[KillerLeft]

Herb is The Dream! Do you give them Gafford, Omax, 2025 1st AND 2nd? Where do we draw the line? I draw it at Naji, personally(thinking of 3 team scenarios wherein NO gets another 1st from another team) Guess it depends on how N.O. And Dallas value Omax.

IF there's any validity to those Vegas odds (huge, huge if) then my guess is that someone "knows" that Jones wants to come here. My guess is that Marshall would be part of that equation, like "hey man, the program here in Dallas is lit, come on with it." So, no, I wouldn't expect Marshall to be in that one. 

In MY opinion, the "line" would be right under PJ Washington. So, whatever it took that isn't Luka, Kyrie, Lively or PJW. I don't think the Mavs will trade Thompson or Marshall. Opinions probably vary on whether Gafford would be expendable in such a deal. FOR SURE I'd do it for Kleber, filler and draft capital.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

You might as well have said "as long as the sun doesn't come up in the morning." The reality is that Lively is fragile, which means you need a brute to bang with big centers and wear them down AND you need someone reliable when Lively gets hurt anyway AND you need to be very limited in the minutes you play Lively.

A plan based on playing Lively as your primary center for long minutes and expecting him to be available almost every game is suicide, doomed to fail.

Trading Gafford would be a major mistake, and it's not a mistake I think they'll make (or even consider) because they realize all those things.

Gafford has flaws, but I think "not having Gafford" has infinitely more flaws.

Jones does have appeal, but not that it really matters, as reports say he really isn't on the market at all. Of course, those mindsets could change.

I tend to believe that report that Herb Jones isn’t all that available. And also that he would fetch a Mikel Bridges-esque haul, due in part to being on a GREAT contract.

[KillerLeft]

And if not Jones, as some are skeptical of his availability, I don't know what's out there that can help this team. I have no interest in Butler...LaVine...etc. I like those guys fine, but not at the "shakeup" cost the roster would pay. It's working pretty well as is, when all are healthy.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Deni for Maxi+Hardy+Omax+a first works..

[KillerLeft]

No backup C.
No thanks.

The reason both Lively and Gafford are aggressive in rim protection is because they have each other. Take away one and the only C would be a lot more conservative in contesting shots.

I can almost guarantee, if Gafford is traded, Mavs would be back to the team that's getting bullied in the paint constantly.

They got bullied in the paint LAST NIGHT, when both of them played poorly. Having two is a great luxury, but not a guarantee. I'm not trying to get rid of one, and wouldn't give up Gafford for Butler, who's an infinitely better and more impactful player, but doesn't (imo) fit on THIS TEAM as well as Gafford. 

But, in a theoretical world where HERB JONES can be had???? Bananas to miss out on that because you won't give up a player who won't be here much longer, anyway, imho. Herb Jones + Powell/Kleber playing backup center (assuming they don't find another one someone in the confusion of dealing, which they very well might) is a WAY better rotation that addresses actual problems this team has, which I believe very few plausible trades would do.

[Mavs2021]

Since we're entertaining this (tepidly), I would like to restate my total lack of reluctance to the thought of building a trade around a Herb Jones for Daniel Gafford swap. I think that makes this team sooooooooooo much better (as long as Lively doesn't get hurt).

I´m 100% with you that it could really hurt us this season, but back-up C should be the most easily replaceable position on the roster. Will Capela or Adams really get more than the MLE at age 31 and 33 respectively next year? You can find a young center in the early 2nd round to build as your #3, too.

The 18th highest paid center in the NBA makes 15M/year right now. I think Gafford is the most easily replaceable piece on this roster to aggregate salary to find a true difference maker like a Simons or Sexton.

I doubt Maxi´s salary alone gets you a short term differencemaker. Trading for White + Smith without giving up Gafford would be the dream scenario, but we can´t get their with the salaries we have, although the best damn trade machine says my suggested trade is legal.

Luka/White
Kyrie/Grimes
Klay/Marshall
Washington/Smith
Lively/Gafford

That´s probably the best roster, we had since winning the title and it´s 26 and under, except for Kyrie + Klay + Dinwiddie.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Deni for Maxi+Hardy+Omax+a first works..

Man, that’d be like having two Naji’!! Deni is sort of like a super charged version. I like where your head is at, since they are seem to be prizing players that can defend, shoot AND play make at least a little.

Deni is mostly coming off the bench for them too. Presumably he would be even more comfortable doing so on a contender. One of the best contracts in the league too. 3 more years after this one on a descending deal! Under 12m in the final year, in which he will be entering his prime at around age 28.