Trade & FA 2024-25:

[F Gump]

Those are all valid concerns, but Bogi when healthy is a great combo guard off the bench. Further Bogi has a 17mil team option for next year so it’s a potential get out of jail free card and frees up some space. His contract number is a good one to pair with other guys to get a bigger name as well. Lots of avenues.

" Bogi when healthy is a great combo guard off the bench " -- Those days seem to be completely in the past. He's very meh now.
" Bogi has a 17mil team option for next year so it’s a potential get out of jail free card " - No. Bogi has another year of guaranteed salary, and the team option is not until 2026-27. Somebody will be stuck with him when the music stops, and I don't want to be the one.
" His contract number is a good one to pair with other guys to get a bigger name as well. " -- Junk making 17M is not a good trade chip - no one is hoping for that guy. More than that, with the hard cap world, you really don't need a way to get those higher priced players in the 20s and 30s, because you don't really have room for them clogging your limited payroll. There hasn't really been a player that has been available, that we wished we had a higher priced contract to put in a package to get them. We want the useful guys with smaller salaries.

One idle note. I think when it comes to roster building and trades, the magic number for a roster is going to be MLE. Those guys, if they can play, will be easy to trade match and easy to move in a trade. Teams can even use an MLE to trade for them. That's going to be the sweet spot, MLE or below, and where you want your salaries to land.

[DallasMaverick]

" Bogi when healthy is a great combo guard off the bench " -- Those days seem to be completely in the past. He's very meh now.
" Bogi has a 17mil team option for next year so it’s a potential get out of jail free card " - No. Bogi has another year of guaranteed salary, and the team option is not until 2026-27. Somebody will be stuck with him when the music stops, and I don't want to be the one.
" His contract number is a good one to pair with other guys to get a bigger name as well. " -- Junk making 17M is not a good trade chip - no one is hoping for that guy. More than that, with the hard cap world, you really don't need a way to get those higher priced players in the 20s and 30s, because you don't really have room for them clogging your limited payroll. There hasn't really been a player that has been available, that we wished we had a higher priced contract to put in a package to get them. We want the useful guys with smaller salaries.

One idle note. I think when it comes to roster building and trades, the magic number for a roster is going to be MLE. Those guys, if they can play, will be easy to trade match and easy to move in a trade. Teams can even use an MLE to trade for them. That's going to be the sweet spot, MLE or below, and where you want your salaries to land.

Under the current CBA, there’s just no room for bad payroll.

[mvossman]

I am sort of a fan.   I am no expert on his game though.   My main concern is can he play some backup PF.   I think he is a guy who is probably better on a good team.   He is pretty skilled, smart and good size.   I just wound't have interest if he was strickly a Center in our defense.    I would also need to think if I would do the deal as discussed.

Not too many highlight of him.  Here is some from last year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCMNEG-Xk4Y&t=169s

I think at this point in his career (he is almost 34) he is much more of a center than PF.  He doesn't really move the needle and that is a big contract for what he provides at this point.

[mvossman]

I think Gafford's play in 2025 has moved him into the "don't trade" category, at least for the rest of this season.

Unless it's for Wemby or Holmgren. But I worry about a "Ralph Sampson" career for both, initial league impact, then All Star level good for a few years, then breaking down physically.

A little concern about that for our boy DLive, as well. TBH.

I think Lively injury concern is maybe the biggest reason Gafford goes into the "don't trade" category.

[mvossman]

Turner only makes 20M. That´s an easy match for Gafford/Kleber. Carlisle might value Kleber more than the rest of the league. Turner turns 29 in two months. Gafford 26. Problem is how much Turner wants in future money and whether his different playing style would suit the Mavs lob offense. Since Turner is expiring it might not even cost us much.

Does that really make sense though?  Myles is a starting center and getting paid like one.  He is not going to want to stay here to back up Lively.  Not sure he is even an upgrade over Gafford.  He is not the defender he used to be and he is a terrible rebounder.  The only possibly reason to send out Gafford is for somebody at the same price that can play both 4 and 5, and that's not Turner.

[F Gump]

I think Lively injury concern is maybe the biggest reason Gafford goes into the "don't trade" category.

I do think Gafford's contribution has increased lately, making him more valuable. He's been a beast, and a team leader, when they've needed players to step up. It's gotten way too easy to downgrade him because "he's not Lively" and overlook all he is doing.

But I'm not convinced Gafford has ever been considered expendable by the Mavs. The Lively "injury concern" has always been an issue, even though some haven't wanted to recognize it. DL has always been slender, breakable, and getting dinged from time to time. He needs a bully to battle with the bangers and lessen the physical beating, as well as lower the minutes he needs to play. Gafford really fills a need, if you want to have Lively be a key player, because he makes Lively possible. imo

[Mavs2021]

Does that really make sense though?  Myles is a starting center and getting paid like one.  He is not going to want to stay here to back up Lively.  Not sure he is even an upgrade over Gafford.  He is not the defender he used to be and he is a terrible rebounder.  The only possibly reason to send out Gafford is for somebody at the same price that can play both 4 and 5, and that's not Turner.

I´m just saying why the odds are what they are. Turner is also from Dallas and there might even be ways to acquire him with Kleber + Powell + X. 

Certainly works with Marshall as X, but I´m not going to make a Bachelor in CBA to solve X for Hardy´s salary, Turner´s incentives, Exum/Omax and the empty roster spots with the teams current cap situations.

Doncic/Dinwiddie
Irving/Hardy/Exum
Washington/Grimes
Turner/Omax
Gafford/Lively

Is that a better team? I´d say yes, especially when you shorten the play-off rotation, but it´s probably more volatile in terms of play-off match-ups.

[KillerLeft]

No problem. I didn't know it was against policy to post articles from other sources, yet I see copy/paste articles on here all the time, like from Hoopshype and other publications. It's all good, though.

Our wires are still crossed, not sure how. I'll try again. 

Posting links to articles is something we do all the time. People click on the links and go read the articles. Then, we discuss. 

YOU are an ESPN+ customer. You PAY to read this articles. We don't. I was commending you for not copying the text that someone is trying to sell on a different site and pasting it here, to circumvent their pay wall - that's the right choice. Good job!

BUT, I was also pointing out that nobody here (or at least not many) can actually click the links you're posting and READ the articles. So, if you're REALLY interested in sharing something from ESPN+ (it's up to you whether or not you want to do that), you might consider giving us a 2-3 sentence summary of what you read that you found interesting. Otherwise, nobody knows why you wanted to post it, because, again, we cannot see those articles when we click the link. 

I never once said you were doing anything wrong. Quite the opposite, actually. Sorry if it came across that way.

[mvossman]

I´m just saying why the odds are what they are. Turner is also from Dallas and there might even be ways to acquire him with Kleber + Powell + X. 

Certainly works with Marshall as X, but I´m not going to make a Bachelor in CBA to solve X for Hardy´s salary, Turner´s incentives, Exum/Omax and the empty roster spots with the teams current cap situations.

Doncic/Dinwiddie
Irving/Hardy/Exum
Washington/Grimes
Turner/Omax
Gafford/Lively

Is that a better team? I´d say yes, especially when you shorten the play-off rotation, but it´s probably more volatile in terms of play-off match-ups.

Don't think you can play Turner at the 4.

[SleepingHero]

Just to double down and further clarify, we used to post entire articles but almost got DMCA’d by Google and the entire site nearly got shut down.


Posting links is totally fine. Heck even a paragraph is ok. But any more and you’re risking bots picking up and flagging this site. So please share whatever you want, but just do it in your own words if you can

[Mavs2021]

Don't think you can play Turner at the 4.

That´s why I said it´s more volatile in the play-offs. I think you can get away with it, might even help in certain match-ups, but will hurt in others. 

Also I complete forget about Dre Klay.

Luka/Dinwiddie
Kyrie/Exum/Hardy
Klay/Grimes
Washington/Turner
Gafford/Lively

That certainly solves our frontcourt issues, but Luka and Kyrie would have to play A LOT. 

I could actually seem them do it, IF they 

A) think they have a legit shot this year 
B) the owners don´t care about the tax going forward, cause you have to pay Turner/Grimes.

Regarding Bogdan Bogdanovic. I have been making Bogdan trades forever. He was just draft rights on the Suns/Kings for three years, but at this stage of his career with that contract, I´m out.

[Chicagojk]

Athletic write up on Larry nance jr

I don't totally understand what's happening in Atlanta with Nance. He started the season hurt but came back after the first week and played well in nine games. He's never been a guy whose presence pops on the stat sheet, but he's averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in about 19 minutes per night. He also got a strong run of six games around Christmas before breaking a bone in his hand that required surgery. He's been out since then but is not expected to be out for long.

Everywhere Nance goes, his team gets better when he's on the court. Every season of his career outside of last year, from 2015-16 onward, Nance's teams have both been better on offense and defense when he's been on the court. Why does this happen? It's because he's the perfect low-usage player. Nance does everything well except create his own shot. He's a semi-real shooter now, having hit 37 percent from 3 since 2019-20. He passes well and makes quick decisions. The ball never sticks in his hands. He finishes efficiently around the rim and picks his spots well. On defense, he's constantly in the right position, rotates exceptionally well and is always available for his teammates.

Nance makes about $11.2 million and is on an expiring contract. The Hawks have been telling teams that they want to keep Nance. Will that remain the case if the two sides can't agree on a contract extension before the deadline, especially if they struggle to move Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu? If so, expect a significant number of organizations to potentially get involved here because they think Nance could help in a late-season push with frontcourt depth. The top two teams that come to mind are the Cavaliers and Bucks, both of whom need an influx of smart defensive play off the bench.


Trade value
Second-rounders
Best fits
Cavaliers, Pacers, Lakers, Bucks

Age
32
Position
Forward/Center
Contract Value
11.2M

[Smitty]

Athletic write up on Larry nance jr

I don't totally understand what's happening in Atlanta with Nance. He started the season hurt but came back after the first week and played well in nine games. He's never been a guy whose presence pops on the stat sheet, but he's averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in about 19 minutes per night. He also got a strong run of six games around Christmas before breaking a bone in his hand that required surgery. He's been out since then but is not expected to be out for long.

Everywhere Nance goes, his team gets better when he's on the court. Every season of his career outside of last year, from 2015-16 onward, Nance's teams have both been better on offense and defense when he's been on the court. Why does this happen? It's because he's the perfect low-usage player. Nance does everything well except create his own shot. He's a semi-real shooter now, having hit 37 percent from 3 since 2019-20. He passes well and makes quick decisions. The ball never sticks in his hands. He finishes efficiently around the rim and picks his spots well. On defense, he's constantly in the right position, rotates exceptionally well and is always available for his teammates.

Nance makes about $11.2 million and is on an expiring contract. The Hawks have been telling teams that they want to keep Nance. Will that remain the case if the two sides can't agree on a contract extension before the deadline, especially if they struggle to move Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu? If so, expect a significant number of organizations to potentially get involved here because they think Nance could help in a late-season push with frontcourt depth. The top two teams that come to mind are the Cavaliers and Bucks, both of whom need an influx of smart defensive play off the bench.


Trade value
Second-rounders
Best fits
Cavaliers, Pacers, Lakers, Bucks

Age
32
Position
Forward/Center
Contract Value
11.2M

Good target. His name has been mentioned a lot the past week or so.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Our wires are still crossed, not sure how. I'll try again. 

Posting links to articles is something we do all the time. People click on the links and go read the articles. Then, we discuss. 

YOU are an ESPN+ customer. You PAY to read this articles. We don't. I was commending you for not copying the text that someone is trying to sell on a different site and pasting it here, to circumvent their pay wall - that's the right choice. Good job!

BUT, I was also pointing out that nobody here (or at least not many) can actually click the links you're posting and READ the articles. So, if you're REALLY interested in sharing something from ESPN+ (it's up to you whether or not you want to do that), you might consider giving us a 2-3 sentence summary of what you read that you found interesting. Otherwise, nobody knows why you wanted to post it, because, again, we cannot see those articles when we click the link. 

I never once said you were doing anything wrong. Quite the opposite, actually. Sorry if it came across that way.

Me reading the progression of this conversation LMAO.

[Chicagojk]

Good target. His name has been mentioned a lot the past week or so.

Yeah, he seems like a guy in the range we may consider.   Although, apparantly they want more wing defenders.

Regardless, it is tough to find a fit for the Mavs.  Right now, no one is going to be very interesting in picking up Maxi for another year.  He is a negative value and just a contract filler now.   With another year left on his contract, it is less appealing.   So, I am not sure a second or two or even is enough for a team to carry 11-12 million for a player that is not in their future.

So, I think it is probably best to look for a similar player in talent to Maxi with another year on his contract.   That is why Olynk intersts me.  He is a competant player.  Smart, skilled and big.  He may not be the type of player we are looking for, but he is at least a rotation player.   In this type of trade, you are also giving up Jaden.  It hurts a little, but it feels like in time he is going to be moved out of the rotation.   So this would open a roster spot.  You can wait for a buyout guy, or if Edwards continues his solid play he gets the last spot as a big, defensive wing.   Olynk is an expiring this summer so he may even have a tad more value (with a first) than Maxi has.

Boucher is another name i have been monitoring. Although, while his skills are intriguing, I am looking for guys who Kidd would trust and do the right things while on the court. I am not sure if Kidd would have trust in Boucher. Others for me is Trey Lyles (but i have trouble finding a trade that works for SAC),

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
The Pacers have held trade conversations with teams centered on Obi Toppin, per @FredKatz
(https://nytimes.com/athletic/6101443/202...uxury-tax/).

Toppin could end up being moved in order for Indiana to pay Myles Turner this offseason.

Indiana signed Toppin to a four-year, $60 million extension in July.

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
The Pacers have held trade conversations with teams centered on Obi Toppin, per @FredKatz
(https://nytimes.com/athletic/6101443/202...uxury-tax/).

Toppin could end up being moved in order for Indiana to pay Myles Turner this offseason.

Indiana signed Toppin to a four-year, $60 million extension in July.

I was pretty against a Toppin for Maxi swap just because I considered his deal to be bad salary, but considering Maxi just cannot play basketball anymore for any meaningful amount of time, I am more open to a potential swap. Don’t really see how the Pacers would be inclined to take the injured Maxi but let’s say they are, does that make the Mavs better?

[mvossman]

Yeah, he seems like a guy in the range we may consider.   Although, apparantly they want more wing defenders.

Regardless, it is tough to find a fit for the Mavs.  Right now, no one is going to be very interesting in picking up Maxi for another year.  He is a negative value and just a contract filler now.   With another year left on his contract, it is less appealing.   So, I am not sure a second or two or even is enough for a team to carry 11-12 million for a player that is not in their future.

So, I think it is probably best to look for a similar player in talent to Maxi with another year on his contract.   That is why Olynk intersts me.  He is a competant player.  Smart, skilled and big.  He may not be the type of player we are looking for, but he is at least a rotation player.   In this type of trade, you are also giving up Jaden.  It hurts a little, but it feels like in time he is going to be moved out of the rotation.   So this would open a roster spot.  You can wait for a buyout guy, or if Edwards continues his solid play he gets the last spot as a big, defensive wing.   Olynk is an expiring this summer so he may even have a tad more value (with a first) than Maxi has.

Boucher is another name i have been monitoring.  Although, while his skills are intriguing, I am looking for guys who Kidd would trust and do the right things while on the court.    I am not sure if Kidd would have trust in Boucher.  Others for me is Trey Lyles (but i have trouble finding a trade that works for SAC),

From a long term budget standpoint, I don't think we want to be paying any more than 15 mil for the combined backup 4 and 5 spot.  Right now that is Gafford and Omax.  Would we be better off with Olynyk playing both roles?  Would you rather have Olynyk than Gafford next season?  Personally, I would rather spend the rest of the season seeing what we have in Omax and make a decision in the offseason.

[mvossman]

I was pretty against a Toppin for Maxi swap just because I considered his deal to be bad salary, but considering Maxi just cannot play basketball anymore for any meaningful amount of time, I am more open to a potential swap. Don’t really see how the Pacers would be inclined to take the injured Maxi but let’s say they are, does that make the Mavs better?

It makes the Mavs better, but now you are paying 27 mil for backup 4 and 5.  I don't think that is sustainable from a cap perspective.

[Nowitzki Way]

It makes the Mavs better, but now you are paying 27 mil for backup 4 and 5.  I don't think that is sustainable from a cap perspective.

I think the few million difference between him and Maxi would be worth it.