Trade & FA 2024-25:

[FireNicoHarrison]

Maybe Steve Nash and Karl Malone would like to come out of retirement for one more try!

CP3 is still here too

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

I am out on KD.  I am just not moving good pieces and draft picks for a very good/great player.  We have no idea if this team fits as is and won't know this year.  I am not writing the final death notice with that move.    I would be really hesitant to move this years pick too.  Whether it is 13, 10, 8, 5, etc.    I am not familar with a lot of the guys yet, but I see a lot of variance in the late lottery.  Mavs job is to get that pick right though.  Mavs can't afford anymore screw ups.  While a #10 pick may not help much next year, you hit that pick and things look a tad better moving forward. 

I have no idea if Lively/Gafford can play with AD and finish games.  I have no idea if PJ can be a really good SF and finish games.    I have no idea if KD can play SF or if he is strictly a PF type now.  There are just too many uncertainties for a team who may not have a championship window any longer.    Lets see if there is a real team there the first half of the year when Kyrie recovers.  If not, you sell and go for a top 3 pick in next years draft near mid year.  The 26 draft top appears to be loaded.

I'm with you but Nico's vision has been really transparent after the last month.  The only way we don't go down this route is if Nico is fired or KD says he's not interested in Dallas at this point (imo).

If you think about it, Nico probably thinks this is the only way his plan can work now and will convince himself they can keep the ship afloat with AD/KD while Kyrie is on the mend.  I've just kind of accepted it's going to happen.  They should have enough leverage in this scenario to pull this off without including Lively/Christie/25 FRP so if those are included it's an even dumber move than what it feels like on the surface.  Those three pieces are probably going to have to be moved entering that 5 year span we don't have any control of our picks.

[DallasMaverick]

I think the idea of trading for KD is pretty dumb.

But yet, it keeps coming up here.

One flavor seems to be: “it’s our only hope to be competitive in the short term”.

The other flavor sounds like: “Nico is so stupid that, even though it’s a really stupid idea, I think he’ll do it because he’s stupid”.

Okay. How about some other proposals that are also dumb?

Let’s trade Dereck Lively for Joel Embiid.

Let’s trade Jaden Hardy for Wemby.

Let’s trade all our injured players for Karl Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.

[Chicagojk]

WTF!!!!!

ESPN has an article with 4 potential KD trades. No intel, just throwing ideas out. Check out the Dallas deal.

Four hypothetical trade offers for KD

Dallas Mavericks
Herring's trade offer:
Mavericks get: Kevin Durant
Suns get: Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Dereck Lively II, 2025 first-round pick (via Dallas)
Why it makes sense for both sides
In dealing then-25-year-old Luka Doncic for 31-year-old Anthony Davis, the Mavericks have made no secret that they view their window to contend for a title as the next few years. With that in mind, they would seemingly be of the mind of continuing to push the chips in, even with Kyrie Irving's torn ACL likely affecting their chances next season.
Getting Durant, one of Irving's closest friends and his former Brooklyn teammate, would be a clear way to ensure the team's perimeter scoring and ballhandling stay afloat while Irving rehabs. And it would also give Davis another future Hall of Famer to take pressure off his shoulders night to night. The move would also give Durant a chance to potentially finish his career in the state where he became a one-and-done superstar for the Texas Longhorns.
In this deal, the Suns immediately deepen their rotation, getting not only historic sharpshooter Thompson, but also key win-now players in Washington and Marshall. Most importantly, they would get Lively, who enjoyed a fantastic rookie season on both ends of the floor with Dallas en route to the Mavs reaching the NBA Finals last year. The haul, and the draft pick in a deep selection pool, should be enough to convince franchise player Devin Booker that Phoenix has enough to be competitive.
On the other side, Dallas, like the current Suns roster, would undoubtedly be a thin, top-heavy group as a result of this move -- one with a trio of stars who would ultimately need a decent stretch of good health to give the club a chance at glory. It may seem like a heavy investment and risk for the Mavs. Frankly, it is one. But after dealing away Doncic, isn't that exactly what Mavs general manager Nico Harrison and the club have signed up for at this point?

[Jmaciscool]

WTF!!!!!

ESPN has an article with 4 potential KD trades.  No intel, just throwing ideas out.  Check out the Dallas deal.

Four hypothetical trade offers for KD

Dallas Mavericks
Herring's trade offer:
Mavericks get: Kevin Durant
Suns get: Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Dereck Lively II, 2025 first-round pick (via Dallas)
Why it makes sense for both sides
In dealing then-25-year-old Luka Doncic for 31-year-old Anthony Davis, the Mavericks have made no secret that they view their window to contend for a title as the next few years. With that in mind, they would seemingly be of the mind of continuing to push the chips in, even with Kyrie Irving's torn ACL likely affecting their chances next season.
Getting Durant, one of Irving's closest friends and his former Brooklyn teammate, would be a clear way to ensure the team's perimeter scoring and ballhandling stay afloat while Irving rehabs. And it would also give Davis another future Hall of Famer to take pressure off his shoulders night to night. The move would also give Durant a chance to potentially finish his career in the state where he became a one-and-done superstar for the Texas Longhorns.
In this deal, the Suns immediately deepen their rotation, getting not only historic sharpshooter Thompson, but also key win-now players in Washington and Marshall. Most importantly, they would get Lively, who enjoyed a fantastic rookie season on both ends of the floor with Dallas en route to the Mavs reaching the NBA Finals last year. The haul, and the draft pick in a deep selection pool, should be enough to convince franchise player Devin Booker that Phoenix has enough to be competitive.
On the other side, Dallas, like the current Suns roster, would undoubtedly be a thin, top-heavy group as a result of this move -- one with a trio of stars who would ultimately need a decent stretch of good health to give the club a chance at glory. It may seem like a heavy investment and risk for the Mavs. Frankly, it is one. But after dealing away Doncic, isn't that exactly what Mavs general manager Nico Harrison and the club have signed up for at this point?

Seems like ESPN has a good read on Nico's negotiating skills

[SleepingHero]

I think the idea of trading for KD is pretty dumb.

But yet, it keeps coming up here.

One flavor seems to be: “it’s our only hope to be competitive in the short term”.

The other flavor sounds like: “Nico is so stupid that, even though it’s a really stupid idea, I think he’ll do it because he’s stupid”.

Okay. How about some other proposals that are also dumb?

Let’s trade Dereck Lively for Joel Embiid.

Let’s trade Jaden Hardy for Wemby.

Let’s trade all our injured players for Karl Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.

It keeps coming up because that is the plan of Nico Harrison. It is an inevitability. He already tried at the TDL. He will try again. There is a Kyrie+KD connection too. Plus the Team USA stuff with AD+KD.

Is it dumb? Yes. Has a dumb plan stopped our GM before? No. 

I'm sure Nico would love to trade DLive for Embiid!

[F Gump]

Seems like ESPN has a good read on Nico's negotiating skills

Sad but true. 

That trade they think he would do is all kinds of awful for the Mavs while being great for PHX. Gag.

[cow]

Seems like ESPN has a good read on Nico's negotiating skills

Nico will probably through in the 1st that the Lakers gave us too.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I'm not a big fan of Lively (he is good btw but not so good probably and he is always injuried) but trade for KD is the end word at this franchise until 2035.

[loki]

There's nothing for the shoe salesman to do at this point but go all-in for Durant. My worry is he'll give up the 29 LA 1st and/or the Mavs 31 1st. Hopefully KD thinks the team is being stripped down too much to contend and doesn't want to come here.

[mvossman]

There's nothing for the shoe salesman to do at this point but go all-in for Durant. My worry is he'll give up the 29 LA 1st and/or the Mavs 31 1st. Hopefully KD thinks the team is being stripped down too much to contend and doesn't want to come here.

The LA 29 would not be great, but the real danger is the Mavs 31.  That pick is likely going to be way more valuable.

Lively would be another disaster.  None of our proposed trades had Lively in it, but I would not put it past Nico at this point.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

It keeps coming up because that is the plan of Nico Harrison. It is an inevitability. He already tried at the TDL. He will try again. There is a Kyrie+KD connection too. Plus the Team USA stuff with AD+KD.

Is it dumb? Yes. Has a dumb plan stopped our GM before? No. 

I'm sure Nico would love to trade DLive for Embiid!

I swear people aren't reading posts.  I don't think a single person on this board has advocated trading for KD.

[omahen]

WTF!!!!!

ESPN has an article with 4 potential KD trades.  No intel, just throwing ideas out.  Check out the Dallas deal.

Four hypothetical trade offers for KD

Dallas Mavericks
Herring's trade offer:
Mavericks get: Kevin Durant
Suns get: Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Dereck Lively II, 2025 first-round pick (via Dallas)
Why it makes sense for both sides
In dealing then-25-year-old Luka Doncic for 31-year-old Anthony Davis, the Mavericks have made no secret that they view their window to contend for a title as the next few years. With that in mind, they would seemingly be of the mind of continuing to push the chips in, even with Kyrie Irving's torn ACL likely affecting their chances next season.
Getting Durant, one of Irving's closest friends and his former Brooklyn teammate, would be a clear way to ensure the team's perimeter scoring and ballhandling stay afloat while Irving rehabs. And it would also give Davis another future Hall of Famer to take pressure off his shoulders night to night. The move would also give Durant a chance to potentially finish his career in the state where he became a one-and-done superstar for the Texas Longhorns.
In this deal, the Suns immediately deepen their rotation, getting not only historic sharpshooter Thompson, but also key win-now players in Washington and Marshall. Most importantly, they would get Lively, who enjoyed a fantastic rookie season on both ends of the floor with Dallas en route to the Mavs reaching the NBA Finals last year. The haul, and the draft pick in a deep selection pool, should be enough to convince franchise player Devin Booker that Phoenix has enough to be competitive.
On the other side, Dallas, like the current Suns roster, would undoubtedly be a thin, top-heavy group as a result of this move -- one with a trio of stars who would ultimately need a decent stretch of good health to give the club a chance at glory. It may seem like a heavy investment and risk for the Mavs. Frankly, it is one. But after dealing away Doncic, isn't that exactly what Mavs general manager Nico Harrison and the club have signed up for at this point?

Let me first say, that I am not really sure why anyone would be willing to gut 55 mil of salaries from the roster for a 37 year old player. But I guess, most desperate teams might see this as their only chance. Mavs are on of the most desperate teams now, as their window is very short and their chances actually smaller with each passing year as their key players get older. I think fans should be prepared that compensation will be in such a range - anything better will be a success. 

I think the reasoning behind the trade idea is very sound. Phoenix wants to stay competitive, or Booker will ask out and then they will really be in hell. That is why I think PJ would be in such a deal. Losing Naji and Thompson is not really hurtful. Nice players, but nothing more. Phoenix is still giving up the best player, so they have to get compensated. One pick is normal and nothing tragic (assuming of course, the 2025 pick is in the #10 range). The big question comes at center. Lively is better on defense, but was hurt a lot in both years. Gafford had some very strong offensive performances. As a win now team, I am not sure Lively is a better option for the next two to three years. 

A while ago I showed how Lakers offer could look like, so let me compare:
- LAL: Reaves, Rui, Vincent, Maxi, Knecht, 2031 FRP (one of Maxi or Vincent going to a third team)
- Dal: Thompson, PJ, Naji, Lively, 2025 FRP

Reaves is better than Thompson and on a better deal. If Phoenix thinks he is not a great fit next to Booker, they could easily flip him. Rui and PJ are imho of a very similar value. Rui is a better offensive player (while still good defender), PJ is a better defender (while still a capable offensive player). Maxi and Vincent are salary fillers on expiring deals, that can still be useful players. Naji has one more year on his deal. Knecht is a solid rookie. Lively is better, but is injured a lot. All in all, I think very similar offers. I wouldn't trade for KD if I am GM of Mavs or Lakers. I think the package of players going away is more valuable in both cases, even though KD is the best player by far.

[cow]

I swear people aren't reading posts.  I don't think a single person on this board has advocated trading for KD.

I'm all for it.  No half measures.  Burn it to the ground.

[Scott41theMavs]

I'm all for it.  No half measures.  Burn it to the ground.

KD accelerates our timing for a rebuild, but the picks and young players we would give up hurt that rebuild. No KD. "Burn it to the ground?" Nay, strip it down to brass tacks. Dump Kyrie and Klay, and rebuild. After hiring a new GM, of course.

[cow]

KD accelerates our timing for a rebuild, but the picks and young players we would give up hurt that rebuild. No KD. "Burn it to the ground?" Nay, strip it down to brass tacks. Dump Kyrie and Klay, and rebuild. After hiring a new GM, of course.

Nope.  Let's run out this Nico ground ball and cement our legacy as the worst club in the association.

[Scott41theMavs]

Nope.  Let's run out this Nico ground ball and cement our legacy as the worst club in the association.

I'm... not with you.

[WildArkieBoy]

I'm... not with you.

Retrospectively, Nike Harrison, split-teeth Dumont and Mark Adelson did Wonderboy a tremendous favor.

wab

[Jym]

Retrospectively, Nike Harrison, split-teeth Dumont and Mark Adelson did Wonderboy a tremendous favor.

wab

I'm just glad Nico had the decency to trade him to a well ran team with a chance
Imagine if Luka ended up in a hellhole like Charlotte(they'd still be pretty good next year)

[WildArkieBoy]

I'm just glad Nico had the decency to trade him to a well ran team with a chance
Imagine if Luka ended up in a hellhole like Charlotte(they'd still be pretty good next year)

I'm not sure decency factored in, but Luka is balling on a much bigger stage now with every NBA chatter show leading with Lebron/Luka.  I can't imagine the emotional rollercoaster in going from rejection to #77 jerseys on 20,000 seats, but the out-the-door character assassination by punks like Dumont and Harrison disgusts me, although Cuban spoke similarly about Nash.  Honestly, I don't think "F*** Nico" covers it.  My preference is "F*** Nike Harrison, Split-teeth Dumont, Miriam and Mark Adelson."

wab