Trade & FA 2024-25:

[KillerLeft]

I agree. I'm just hurting and hoping for the best..lol

Bargaining. Soon comes all-out depression.

At least we're processing this stuff quickly.

[BigDirk41]

Is Butler a realistic target? His age no longer matters with this team.

[KillerLeft]

Funniest guy on twitter, by far:

https://x.com/VernonMaxwell11/status/188...0930775327

[Smitty]

Funniest guy on twitter, by far:

https://x.com/VernonMaxwell11/status/188...0930775327

I said it to a co-worker this morning. It could be worse; I could be a Jazz fan.

[SleepingHero]

Is Butler a realistic target? His age no longer matters with this team.

Basically any guy in the 40s is going to cost 3 rotation players. 

Nico, if he’s still actually trying to build a team and not just nuke the franchise (which who knows at this point?), probably won’t gut the team mid season like that. 


I find it highly likely he’s going to try and sell high on a guard we currently have, either Hardy or Grimes, and get draft capital. And then sign a buyout vet that can fill somewhat what we’re looking for.

[SleepingHero]

I can’t believe what was supposed to be a run it back season turned into this.

Luka was literally a week away from returning

[Smitty]

I find it highly likely he’s going to try and sell high on a guard we currently have, either Hardy or Grimes, and get draft capital. And then sign a buyout vet that can fill somewhat what we’re looking for.

I think you're right. 


Or... he doubles down because of all the backlash and send all remaining picks plus those players for a big name.

Scorched earth!

[F Gump]

I can’t believe what was supposed to be a run it back season turned into this.

Luka was literally a week away from returning

I have wondered about that return. To me there's always seemed a bit of abnormal vagueness to the whole timetable of how long Luka would be sidelined and when he will be back, which made me wonder if there was more going on that we weren't hearing.

[Smitty]

Luka Doncic is expected to make his Laker debut next Monday, per @MarcJSpears.

[SleepingHero]

Luka Doncic is expected to make his Laker debut next Monday, per @MarcJSpears.

Welp seems like he was very close to returning after all.

[F Gump]

One note about the Mavs now chasing a star (like all these names floating about) -- in Nico's plans, do they even want one?

These supermax stars eat up a massive chunk of your payroll, but used to be you just keep spending. Now with a hard cap, you quickly run out of room for players. Is it better to have 1 useful guy at 53M or 3-4 talented guys at 12-15 each? 

Buried beneath the Mavs concern about Lukas trajectory is that big financial question, and I am guessing Nico is acting with that as a major factor in his approach. (It's also informative that defense and no-names tend to cost way less.)

[DallasMaverick]

I have wondered about that return. To me there's always seemed a bit of abnormal vagueness to the whole timetable of how long Luka would be sidelined and when he will be back, which made me wonder if there was more going on that we weren't hearing.

Perhaps this latest injury was the final straw for Nico.

I think the remaining hole for the Mavs is another ball-handling point guard, with strong defensive skills. It would really, really help if he can hit a three every now and then.

Somebody in the $8-12m salary range. Maybe a bit more. Grimes and/or Hardy outgoing. Powell also expendable.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I really do think the expendables are Naji, Gafford, Grimes (  ), Hardy, and Powell. 

Naji+ Gafford gives us about 22 mill to work with. Maybe we use that to get a Cam Johnson? 

 

I can't tell if you are accounting for this, but we are about $6.2mm under the first apron.  So, we no longer have to hold incoming salary to 'about' outgoing salary or below.  So, trade matching rules are back in order up to the first apron.  We still have to account for all bonuses and we absolutely have to add back minimum players to get back to at least 14 in the case of a 2 for 1 or 3 for 2 type deal.  

We have TPE's and part of the NTMLE too.  Maxi created an $11mm TPE according to Spotrac.  So, we could literally trade a pick for someone making up to about $6.2mm and not send anyone out (or send Grimes out alone and bring back someone making about $10mm depending on how much cushion you want under the apron).

To the point regarding Gafford, I'm not sure what to think.  Nico called AD an all-defensive Center at one point yesterday.  Slip of the tongue or a tip-off of his intended position?  If you trade Gafford now, are you really in win-now mode with Lively out?

[KillerLeft]

To me there's always seemed a bit of abnormal vagueness to the whole timetable of how long Luka would be sidelined and when he will be back, which made me wonder if there was more going on that we weren't hearing.

Agreed, and it sounds like we owe this to Luka using his own training staff, not the ones who traditionally filter info (through Kidd) to the media.

[SleepingHero]

@esidery

Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons and Bojan Bogdanovic are the most likely top buyout candidates this year.

The Bulls are shopping Ball ahead of the trade deadline in exchange for second-round draft capital.

[SleepingHero]

If we traded Hardy+Naji for a guy making $14 mil (say Jordan clarkson) and then go get Lonzo or Ben Simmons, how would we feel….?

[SleepingHero]

All the guys I am targeting by the way are dudes who have Laker ties or have been coached by Kidd at some point.

The playbook is clear on who they like.

[BigDirk41]

If we traded Hardy+Naji for a guy making $14 mil (say Jordan clarkson) and then go get Lonzo or Ben Simmons, how would we feel….?

I would feel better than I feel now, but still deeply hurt...lol. Clarkson is a good idea to help with the offense we lose from Luka. He can flat out score.

[Jym]

If we traded Hardy+Naji for a guy making $14 mil (say Jordan clarkson) and then go get Lonzo or Ben Simmons, how would we feel….?

still dead inside but at least they'd have a reasonable shot at the 2nd round

[cow]

I loved Lonzo pre-injury. How’s he looked since he came back and how is that knee holding up?