Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Chicagojk]

CHICAGO JK - That's a good analysis, but if this team is healthy, is there really a hole needing to be filled? If you count Marshall, you've identified 9 (!) valued players NOT including either Exum or SD. We badly need a "10th man" or even lower? I'm being silly, but you get the point.

I'm not convinced there's a lack of shot creation either; our mindset is used to seeing one player creating almost all of the offense, getting a shot for himself or via a flashy pass, and when we don't see that we think it's an issue. But without Luka in the mix, the attack comes from lots of places, and the ball moves. Kyrie is a big threat, and so is AD. Lots of supporting offense across the lineup.

As for what a trade might look like, in theory the Mavs could easily put together a package and trade for a player up to maybe 18-20M in salary (with Powell, Hardy, and maybe Martin or Marshall), but do they have a 20M hole? And the minutes? As much as I like the idea in theory, I just don't see it.

Gafford - Lively
AD - Martin
PJ - Marshall
Klay - Christie
Kyrie - Exum/SD

I do see the need to package several players together for one, however, and maybe take back less in salary. Assuming they keep either Exum or SD and maybe both, they have too many useful players to fit onto the roster imo. So there's that part of the equation.

It is too bad we are so injured.  It would have seen helpful to see a healthy roster to see how, if they do, fit together.  I think a lot of us thought that Gafford would be the odd man out moving forward.  AD gets backup center minutes, PJ gets backup 4 minutes and you look for a cheapish third center.   Although, I wonder if Nico really likes the Gafford/Lively combo and just try to out physical teams.    Gafford can eat up minutes as Lively has proven he cannot be a heavy minute player yet in the league.   With Lively still on a rookie deal, Maybe you are fine giving Gafford a 16-18 million dollar deal.

I have my concerns with this lineup, but I do wonder if Lively and Gafford are a part of Nico's vision.

[Chicagojk]

There may be better options, but a guy that I think makes a lot of sense is Lonzo Ball.  He fits your description, fits the contract model they have been following and will probably be available.  His three is still rusty, but it looks like everything else is back.

I love Lonzo and how he plays.  I have not seen him play since he has returned from injury.   I would have the same injury concerns with him as I do with Exum though.  He is an interesting name.  If he finishes the season healthy, I am sure he will have good interest around the league.  

RJ Barrett is a name I thought about.    Just not sure he is a fit and may be too good as he would want to finish most games.  Not sure I would want that.    He is also the opposite of Ball.  His play style tends to grind you.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

To me, it’s fairly obvious you can’t count on Exum. I like his game but he’s a walking injury like Maxi. Lonzo is a non starter for me for the same reason.

Lively
AD
PJ
Christie
Kyrie
Klay

Are my keepers

If AD gets significant minutes at center, I’m not sure Gafford is here long term.

Marshall is ok but I wouldn’t be opposed to him including as salary filler. He can’t shoot.

I think you need another ballhandle/offensive creator that’s better than Exum, Marshall, Dinwiddie. There’s a huge drop off after Kyrie.

[LukaMVP]

I think a ball hander or a playmaker is not so much needed by these mavs. they shares the ball so well and make it difficult for the opposing team to figure out a guy that needs to be doubled. and we usually see random guys having the most assists of the team night in and night out. the mavs new playing style will be tested in the playoffs and if the result is good there'll be no urgent need to reshuffle what works out fine tbh.

[audiosway]

To me, it’s fairly obvious you can’t count on Exum. I like his game but he’s a walking injury like Maxi. Lonzo is a non starter for me for the same reason.

Lively
AD
PJ
Christie
Kyrie
Klay

Are my keepers

If AD gets significant minutes at center, I’m not sure Gafford is here long term. 

Marshall is ok but I wouldn’t be opposed to him including as salary filler.  He can’t shoot.

I think you need another ballhandle/offensive creator that’s better than Exum, Marshall, Dinwiddie. There’s a huge drop off after Kyrie.

I think that AD will pretty much play the 4 in Dallas. He's probably going to start heavily working on a 3 point shot so he can learn to stretch the floor.

Lonzo worries me too due to injury concerns. Same as Exum. My list of keepers are the same as yours except I would add Marshall.

[Scott41theMavs]

To me, it’s fairly obvious you can’t count on Exum. I like his game but he’s a walking injury like Maxi. Lonzo is a non starter for me for the same reason.

Lively
AD
PJ
Christie
Kyrie
Klay

Are my keepers

If AD gets significant minutes at center, I’m not sure Gafford is here long term. 

Marshall is ok but I wouldn’t be opposed to him including as salary filler.  He can’t shoot.

I think you need another ballhandle/offensive creator that’s better than Exum, Marshall, Dinwiddie. There’s a huge drop off after Kyrie.

Marshall may not be a shooter, but he's a very crafty creator and scorer. Many of our recent wins would have been losses otherwise.

[The Jom]

I love the staggered lineup thing we’ve got going:

Easily 20s Lively (21), Christie (22), Omax (22)
Mid 20s PJ (26), Gaff (26), Nani (27)
Early 30s Kyrie (32), AD (31), Martin (29)
Old Klay (35), Dwight (33)

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Marshall may not be a shooter, but he's a very crafty creator and scorer. Many of our recent wins would have been losses otherwise.

Well yeah, we need him now since we don't have LUka and half the team is hurt. 

Anyway, this is all preliminary, how I feel right now.  I am wrong often. Hopefully we make the playin/playoffs so we can see for ourselves what the weaknesses are.

[DallasMaverick]

I love the staggered lineup thing we’ve got going:

Easily 20s Lively (21), Christie (22), Omax (22)
Mid 20s PJ (26), Gaff (26), Nani (27)
Early 30s Kyrie (32), AD (31), Martin (29)
Old Klay (35), Dwight (33)

Didn't Nico say something about winning both now, and in the future?

[loki]

Lonzo is an interesting name despite the injury concerns. It's hard to think of many Exum/Dinwiddie upgrades who also have the size/defensive chops to play next to Kyrie. And even though he hasn't been efficient offensively, Chicago is still +5.4 with Lonzo on the court and -7.4 with him off.

Powell+Hardy would be an exact salary match. I'm assuming Dallas would have to add some draft compensation as well. Too bad the Philly 2nd is gone.

[F Gump]

Lonzo is an interesting name despite the injury concerns. It's hard to think of many Exum/Dinwiddie upgrades who also have the size/defensive chops to play next to Kyrie. And even though he hasn't been efficient offensively, Chicago is still +5.4 with Lonzo on the court and -7.4 with him off.

Powell+Hardy would be an exact salary match. I'm assuming Dallas would have to add some draft compensation as well. Too bad the Philly 2nd is gone.

One important point about +/- to keep in mind is that it does NOT necessarily travel from team to team with a player. It's totally contextual, essentially  measuring  a player versus his replacement in the lineup and within the team. That comparative measure on another team with alternative players being compared to is going to be brand new. 

Obviously if a player is superstar, he'll be better wherever he plays. But lesser players? Never know. The sub for him may have just been bad.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Didn't Nico say something about winning both now, and in the future?

This roster is perfect about no winning both now and in future. Mediocrity.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Marshall may not be a shooter, but he's a very crafty creator and scorer. Many of our recent wins would have been losses otherwise.

Naji is a glue guy who can complete a championship team.  With this trailer trash cheap ownership, he's here to stay.  Good contract.  Good value.

[audiosway]

Naji is a glue guy who can complete a championship team.  With this trailer trash cheap ownership, he's here to stay.  Good contract.  Good value.

I love Naj. Good hard nosed player. Definitely a glue guy.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Okay, okay...I actually get why the Mavs included the 76ers  2nd, and it slightly makes the Luka deal a TINY bit better.

In the deal the Mavs received an $11mil TPE for Kleber. Hypothetically, would you be interested in Scoot Henderson trade for the TPE + the 2025 1st and the Lakers pick with protections? Just a thought on how the Mavs could get a young, buy low true PG with upside.

Either way, I see that TPE as a valuable asset.

[SleepingHero]

Okay, okay...I actually get why the Mavs included the 76ers  2nd, and it slightly makes the Luka deal a TINY bit better.

In the deal the Mavs received an $11mil TPE for Kleber. Hypothetically, would you be interested in Scoot Henderson trade for the TPE + the 2025 1st and the Lakers pick with protections? Just a thought on how the Mavs could get a young, buy low true PG with upside.

Either way, I see that TPE as a valuable asset.

Holy schmoly if the Mavs traded 2 FRPs, one being one of the more valuable ones they have left to trade, for one of the biggest busts of the last 5 years I’d have an aneurism.

We only have 3 we can trade right now for the foreseeable future. I’d rather not mortgage away what little future we have left for a KNOWN bust. Scoot sucks. He can barely get minutes on a bad Blazers team. We’re expecting him to suddenly come into a “win-now” team as Nico says with championship aspirations??

[mvossman]

Okay, okay...I actually get why the Mavs included the 76ers  2nd, and it slightly makes the Luka deal a TINY bit better.

In the deal the Mavs received an $11mil TPE for Kleber. Hypothetically, would you be interested in Scoot Henderson trade for the TPE + the 2025 1st and the Lakers pick with protections? Just a thought on how the Mavs could get a young, buy low true PG with upside.

Either way, I see that TPE as a valuable asset.

We need a PG with size who can play defense.

[F Gump]

Okay, okay...I actually get why the Mavs included the 76ers  2nd, and it slightly makes the Luka deal a TINY bit better.

In the deal the Mavs received an $11mil TPE for Kleber. Hypothetically, would you be interested in Scoot Henderson trade for the TPE + the 2025 1st and the Lakers pick with protections? Just a thought on how the Mavs could get a young, buy low true PG with upside.

Either way, I see that TPE as a valuable asset.

Unfortunately that TPE will be worthless. It will get discarded, because of the Mavs other payroll.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Holy schmoly if the Mavs traded 2 FRPs, one being one of the more valuable ones they have left to trade, for one of the biggest busts of the last 5 years I’d have an aneurism.

We only have 3 we can trade right now for the foreseeable future. I’d rather not mortgage away what little future we have left for a KNOWN bust. Scoot sucks. He can barely get minutes on a bad Blazers team. We’re expecting him to suddenly come into a “win-now” team as Nico says with championship aspirations??

Agree... Scoot is a bust.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I love Naj. Good hard nosed player. Definitely a glue guy.

Now shooting 29% from three.  We already have a glue guy in PJ.