MAVS NEWS:

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

This board GREATLY undervalues Gafford. It's crazy. We haven't had a physically dominant C since Chandler. It seems that we're all trying to acquire a player like Gafford, but once we have him we're looking to trade. Real talk, Gafford's performance this year makes me more inclined to trade Lively for a badass SF.

[Chicagojk]

This board GREATLY undervalues Gafford.  It's crazy.  We haven't had a physically dominant C since Chandler.  It seems that we're all trying to acquire a player like Gafford, but once we have him we're looking to trade.  Real talk, Gafford's performance this year makes me more inclined to trade Lively for a badass SF.

Lively's future is so bright.   Gafford is a great pairing with him though.   Both play really hard and that should not be discounted.   Especially when bigs sometimes run hot and cold.    I hope we find a way to keep Gafford.  Maybe we can talk Luka into a discount to keep his Slovenian brother around.   

I think they are both really effective if we can shore up our perimeter D.   If you add an elite perimeter defender and maybe one more above average defender (maybe already on the roster) and just have everyone be connected then you can make finishing inside really, really diffcult.   Unfortunately, we are asking our centers to really correct a lot of mistakes on penetration.

[mvossman]

It feels like the Gafford pendulum swings too far in either direction. When Lively goes down (again) and Gafford solidifies the center position by dominating against generally lesser teams, its clear how crucial he is to the depth of this team. On the other hand, when he struggles mightily to defend in space against some of the better offenses (including most of the playoff run) its clear he doesn't have near the ceiling Lively does to start for a contender.

[DallasMaverick]

It feels like the Gafford pendulum swings too far in either direction.  When Lively goes down (again) and Gafford solidifies the center position by dominating against generally lesser teams, its clear how crucial he is to the depth of this team.  On the other hand, when he struggles mightily to defend in space against some of the better offenses (including most of the playoff run) its clear he doesn't have near the ceiling Lively does to start for a contender.

Truth.

Did you see how Cade Cunningham was mercilessly hunting him?

Lively just has that extra measure of lateral quickness that allows him to extend a little farther, protect the three-point line a little better.

I love Gafford, but he has some limitations.

[cow]

I hope everyone is happy that they got their wish of the Mavs moving Maxi.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I hope everyone is happy that they got their wish of the Mavs moving Maxi.

I mean, who didn't see it coming?

[SleepingHero]

I hope everyone is happy that they got their wish of the Mavs moving Maxi.

I wanted you to come back, but not under these circumstances

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Please tell me this means Kyrie at the point and PJ at the 3….
Kyrie, Din, Exum
Klay, Grimes, Hardy
PJ, Naji
AD
Lively, Gafford

[Chicagojk]

Please tell me this means Kyrie at the point and PJ at the 3….
Kyrie, Din, Exum
Klay, Grimes, Hardy
PJ, Naji
AD
Lively, Gafford

Yeah I think so.  Although what we have see Kyrie is mainly a scorer.  Not a guy who gets others great looks.  So they need another guard.

In the negative, not great wing and big shooting.

And does it really even matter?

[SleepingHero]

Yeah I think so.  Although what we have see Kyrie is mainly a scorer.  Not a guy who gets others great looks.  So they need another guard.

In the negative, not great wing and big shooting.

And does it really even matter?

It doesn’t matter because Nico will just trade him away for Dion Waiters and a 2027 FRP

[Jym]

It doesn’t matter because Nico will just trade him away for Dion Waiters and a 2027 FRP

the much more likely scenario is that Kyrie opts out this summer and walks for nothing

[F Gump]

Please tell me this means Kyrie at the point and PJ at the 3….
Kyrie, Din, Exum
Klay, Grimes, Hardy
PJ, Naji
AD
Lively, Gafford

That's how I see it, if this is the roster a week from now, except maybe Gafford at center. 
Gafford
Davis
PJW
Klay
Kyrie
But I'm not convinced the Mavs are set yet.

[Smitty]

That's how I see it, if this is the roster a week from now, except maybe Gafford at center. 
Gafford
Davis
PJW
Klay
Kyrie
But I'm not convinced the Mavs are set yet.

Sounds like they like Christie… Do they have the balls to move Klay to 6th man?

[SleepingHero]

That's how I see it, if this is the roster a week from now, except maybe Gafford at center. 
Gafford
Davis
PJW
Klay
Kyrie
But I'm not convinced the Mavs are set yet.

I am shocked you haven’t had more words regarding the Mavs trading the best player this franchise has ever seen since Dirk.

[F Gump]

I am shocked you haven’t had more words regarding the Mavs trading the best player this franchise has ever seen since Dirk.

What's to say? I'm shocked. Who isn't?

My knee-jerk is that you don't give up a top-5 NBA player in his prime, if he isn't asking out. Those guys are too rare, too hard to find, too hard to get even if you recognize one.

My brief thoughts, on further reflection:
1  Luka has been great. He's a star in every sense of the word. He sells tickets. From a marketing pov, this was really bad. No telling what Luka might do next. He can do anything!
2  Yet as much as we revere him, Luka also has huge issues, which are glaringly obvious and have been debated at length in this forum. While I loved the show, I had a long list of things I loathed about his game. Does he want to be a showman, and want stats and acclaim, more than working on being the best ball player he can be who makes the whole team better? Were his issues even bigger in the Mavs eyes (with more info than we have)? Were they going to be insurmountable in building a TITLE team? I dunno on any of that, but I have the questions. I had hoped they would all go away (but recently found myself wondering if Luka's window to be MVP had honestly already closed, so there's that).
3  We all recognize that Luka, if he worked seriously on his conditioning and his shooting (FTs, 3s), could be the best player ever, because of his size to be so skilled. He started at such a high level, entering the NBA. That's the appeal. We all saw it. He had a huge head start to build on. But it's also a tease when you see that potential over and over, and then nothing ever changes. We're now in year 7, and the years are wasting away, and he's much the same player in those areas as he started. I think his injuries this season were worrisome on a bigger level (and ps, I have wondered if he will truly be back soon, as we want to assume.)
4  I wonder if we are underestimating Davis in the equation. The Mavs seem to think he can be more valuable in winning a title than Luka is. I readily admit I prefer titles more than a heliocentric show. Davis is All-NBA, and an All-NBA defender too, so maybe there's a chance this is a plus trade?
5  The question on losing Luka isn't what Luka could do, but rather what parts of his play can be replaced or even bettered, and only time will tell. MY GUESS is that the Mavs think that while they can't replace the show, they can find similar ball-handling and offense in a team concept, with maybe even better shooting. We'll see.
6  Nico in the PC alluded to concerns over the next contract with Luka. I'm not saying this is the case, but if Luka was showing signs of feeling "I'm bigger than the team" and not willing to work hard on his craft, conditioning, etc, maybe Nico was seeing huge red flags and averting a looming disaster ahead. As good as Luka is, a team concept is the much better path to winning.
7  The trade itself was horrendous negotiating, in not getting the other LA 1st rounder. It just was.

[DallasMaverick]

So, does Dallas stay put with Kyrie and Din as point guards? Or trade one of their many wings (Grimes, I’d guess).

I’m betting on a trade.

[Smitty]

So, does Dallas stay put with Kyrie and Din as point guards? Or trade one of their many wings (Grimes, I’d guess).

I’m betting on a trade.

Something that makes some sense:

Mavs trade Naji and Grimes for Deni Avdija and Duop Reath.

A top 9 rotation of

Kyrie | Dinwiddie
Klay | Christie
PJW | Deni
AD
Gafford | Lively

Exum and/or Hardy (if you’re a believer) can be substituted for Dinwiddie or Christie.
Reath and Powell get you through the Lively injury.

[F Gump]

Mavs are looking solely for TWO way players, I believe. Who would those be -- that are available-- i think that's their target list.

[BigDirk41]

Something that makes some sense:

Mavs trade Naji and Grimes for Deni Avdija and Duop Reath.

A top 9 rotation of

Kyrie | Dinwiddie
Klay | Christie
PJW | Deni
AD
Gafford | Lively

Exum and/or Hardy (if you’re a believer) can be substituted for Dinwiddie or Christie.
Reath and Powell get you through the Lively injury.

How did they plan on winning with 2 non shooters at the 4&5 on the court together?

[Chicagojk]

Mavs are looking solely for TWO way players, I believe. Who would those be -- that are available-- i think that's their target list.

guards/wings right?   I think it needs to be someone who can create off the bounce. And not in the Dinwiddie fashion.   Also needs to defend and hit open shots.   I am having trouble with names as well.

Next year, you can't be going with Kyrie and Klay in the starting backcourt right?   I am not thrilled with PJ at SF, but I don't think you can bring him off the bench either.    Just so many questions.  How do our bigs score and/or get the ball in the right place.   How do they have room if you play two together?   Clogs a lot of things up.