MAVS NEWS:

[KillerLeft]

Yossi Gozlan
@YossiGozlan
·
4m
This is the maximum amount Daniel Gafford can extend for within the extend-and-trade limits.

He can get a 120 percent raise off his $14.4 million salary in 2025-26, which starts him at $17.3 million in 2026-27.

Then with 5 percent raises, it tops out at $54.3 million.

I'm a little late to the party on this one, so it has been pointed out, I'm sure, but this seems...significant. I don't feel like this is a coincidence. 

My guess is that he already knows he's being traded, and where.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Hmmmmm

[Smitty]

Multiple sources have indicated throughout the process that the preferred choice was — is — Jason Kidd. Kidd remains under contract to the Dallas Mavericks with one rejection already to the Knicks’ efforts to speak with him.
But the first push aside might not be the last and there are still many who believe the Knicks will try again. Kidd has not been approached about an extension or raise in Dallas and his staff has begun to get ripped away. His lead assistant Sean Sweeney is heading to San Antonio where he will be associate head coach after not being offered an extension by the Mavs and rebuffing advances by the Knicks to meet about the head coaching vacancy. Assistant coach Jared Dudley is leaving, too. Dudley is expected to join the Cleveland staff when his contract runs out this week. Developmental coach God Shammgod is also believed to be departing.
The Dallas machinations are particularly interesting because the Knicks' efforts to pursue Sweeney might indicate the fading belief that they can land Kidd. But that an assistant passed up the chance at a coveted first head coaching job with a potential championship contender also shows the questions about how business is being conducted.

[F Gump]

I think the salary amount for Gaff is less about a pending (known) trade, and more about the Mavs and Gaff both getting the best deal they can do together. Mavs want to retain the ability to trade him IF the right deal is there, and this is the most they can offer him on an extension and still leave that trade door open. Gaff wants the guarantee locked in now, knows this is going to be the most the Mavs will do, and takes his chances that he might get traded with hopes that he won't.

[Chicagojk]

Question is do they try to extend Pj now. Tight fit.


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Although Daniel Gafford’s extension does keep him trade eligible, the Mavericks’ “internal hope” is to fend off trade calls for both he and PJ Washington this summer, per @TheStein

[Chicagojk]

Question is do they try to extend Pj now.  Tight fit.


——-
Although Daniel Gafford’s extension does keep him trade eligible, the Mavericks’ “internal hope” is to fend off trade calls for both he and PJ Washington this summer, per @TheStein

My read on this is they still need to do some work on pj to get buyin on an extension..

[Smitty]

The problem with PJ isn’t if the Mavs want to do an extension. To me, that’s a no-brainer. It’s if PJ is willing to sign for 22M AAV. Lot of teams with potential cap space next summer. He could get Aaron Gordon type money with another great year imo.

[KillerLeft]

Question is do they try to extend Pj now.  Tight fit.


——-
Although Daniel Gafford’s extension does keep him trade eligible, the Mavericks’ “internal hope” is to fend off trade calls for both he and PJ Washington this summer, per @TheStein

What an odd way to phrase that. They don’t even have to listen to trade calls, if they don’t want. This is not exactly a denial that either/both could be traded, that’s for sure.

[KillerLeft]

I think the salary amount for Gaff is less about a pending (known) trade, and more about the Mavs and Gaff both getting the best deal they can do together. Mavs want to retain the ability to trade him IF the right deal is there, and this is the most they can offer him on an extension and still leave that trade door open. Gaff wants the guarantee locked in now, knows this is going to be the most the Mavs will do, and takes his chances that he might get traded with hopes that he won't.

This might be the right thinking...it makes sense. 

But, if so, I think they just shot themselves in the foot by overpaying. If someone wants him for their starting center, that's a value deal. 2 months into another season with the Mavericks and that contract is going to look pretty bad, imho, not to mention he's less valuable as a target to come off the bench for someone, I'd wager.

[Chicagojk]

What an odd way to phrase that. They don’t even have to listen to trade calls, if they don’t want. This is not exactly a denial that either/both could be traded, that’s for sure.

Yeah I found that strange as well.  Maybe they mean if they can’t extend PJ?  I think the 4 year 88 mil is a good deal for both parties.  It gets PJ security.  The issue is will Dallas offer it and if PJ is comfortable with the role with a very crowded front court.  Either way, they are in no need to move him now.  Outside of having a pretty weird roster.

[cow]

What an odd way to phrase that. They don’t even have to listen to trade calls, if they don’t want. This is not exactly a denial that either/both could be traded, that’s for sure.

It's probably just another way of saying that this will prevent the more egregious offers since they'd no longer be on expiring deals.

[DanSchwartzgan]

This might be the right thinking...it makes sense. 

But, if so, I think they just shot themselves in the foot by overpaying. If someone wants him for their starting center, that's a value deal. 2 months into another season with the Mavericks and that contract is going to look pretty bad, imho, not to mention he's less valuable as a target to come off the bench for someone, I'd wager.

Whether you wanted to keep him the next four years or trade him in the next few days, this is the number you'd extend him on.  But, I'm with you.  I don't see them paying $18mm (~10% of the cap) for a backup.  I get that the two centers who are more likely to close games are both injury prone.  Still...

OTOH, Gafford has his extension and PJ doesn't.  In his post, Charn's said Gafford joins Lively, AD and Flagg in the Dallas front court.  Of course, this was also the post where he got the contract number wrong.  If you are clearing a pathway for Flagg, PJ is the one most in his way.  

Or, do you take Stein at his word that they'd prefer to keep both?

FWIW, Gafford was traded to Dallas for an expiring Holmes and what ended up being the 24th pick in last year's draft.  The range of that pick was fairly determined by the time the trade was made.  For PJ, Dallas got two seconds and game up Williams, Curry and a Top 2 protected 2027.  I don't think either of them have diminished their value since coming here.

[KillerLeft]

Whether you wanted to keep him the next four years or trade him in the next few days, this is the number you'd extend him on.  But, I'm with you.  I don't see them paying $18mm (~10% of the cap) for a backup.  I get that the two centers who are more likely to close games are both injury prone.  Still...

OTOH, Gafford has his extension and PJ doesn't.  In his post, Charn's said Gafford joins Lively, AD and Flagg in the Dallas front court.  Of course, this was also the post where he got the contract number wrong.  If you are clearing a pathway for Flagg, PJ is the one most in his way.  

Or, do you take Stein at his word that they'd prefer to keep both?

FWIW, Gafford was traded to Dallas for an expiring Holmes and what ended up being the 24th pick in last year's draft.  The range of that pick was fairly determined by the time the trade was made.  For PJ, Dallas got two seconds and game up Williams, Curry and a Top 2 protected 2027.  I don't think either of them have diminished their value since coming here.

It has definitely crossed my mind that PJW, unquestionably the more valuable of the two, and more "in Flagg's way" as you put it, might be the guy on the move. I'm not sure I'd love that choice, given that it would be doubling and tripling down on the ideas that A) as many of AD's minutes will be at the 4 as possible, and B) they're determined to try to make Gafford a net positive in the playoffs, rather than just shelving him, but it's definitely a way they could go. 

To your last point, I'd say both players have steadily increased their value since coming here, buuuuuuut, we might be nearing the end of the incline and start of the decline for both dudes, given the roles that they're likely to have moving forward. I think maybe there's a juicy enough role here for one of them, but probably not for both. One thing Gafford has going for him there is that he's probably not as hung up on starting as PJ, especially now that he has gotten his money.

[F Gump]

One note about PJ. He and the Mavs undoubtedly have already talked extension, and figured out whether the numbers are going to work for both sides or not. One day soon we may get news out of the blue that he's been traded. But as long as he is still a Mav, we are going to be in the dark on any extension (or lack of one) until well past the active trade season (that extends from now until the end of July or so), until we get to around Sept 1.

Why? He can't be extended until the end of August. And it's cap-illegal to speak of a deal in advance (especially so far in advance, since lots can go wrong). His best trade value is obviously with a longer deal already in place. So we really can't be sure he's going to stay a Mav until we arrive at Sept 1 and yep, he's still on the roster. If that happens.

[DanSchwartzgan]

 
FWIW, Gafford was traded to Dallas for an expiring Holmes and what ended up being the 24th pick in last year's draft.  The range of that pick was fairly determined by the time the trade was made.   

Just playing with numbers, if Gafford goes to Atlanta for #22 (no returning salary) or Brooklyn for #19 (again, no returning salary and assumes Claxton to LAL), then you can keep Kyrie at his current number and still be well under the second apron.  Far enough, in fact, that you have the ability to use the TP MLE for the last spot on the roster.  

The reason I posted what Gafford cost us in trade is it fits fairly well with getting 19 or 22 in this year's draft (we get back what we paid).  The salary difference then takes you from a minimum to a level up in the free agency market (while also adding to the youth movement).  So, kind of a 2 for 1 for outgoing Gafford.

[KillerLeft]

Just playing with numbers, if Gafford goes to Atlanta for #22 (no returning salary) or Brooklyn for #19 (again, no returning salary and assumes Claxton to LAL), then you can keep Kyrie at his current number and still be well under the second apron.  Far enough, in fact, that you have the ability to use the TP MLE for the last spot on the roster.  

The reason I posted what Gafford cost us in trade is it fits fairly well with getting 19 or 22 in this year's draft (we get back what we paid).  The salary difference then takes you from a minimum to a level up in the free agency market (while also adding to the youth movement).  So, kind of a 2 for 1 for outgoing Gafford.

I'm not sure I love what would be there at #19 or #22, but maybe the Mavs do. Great stuff, as always!

[MaxiThreeba]

I'm not sure I love what would be there at #19 or #22, but maybe the Mavs do. Great stuff, as always!

Nico just pushing Ace Bailey down to that range because he’s such a damn genius

[cow]

Nico just pushing Ace Bailey down to that range because he’s such a damn genius

Ace Bailey has some real Washington Wizards energy to him.

[Smitty]

Just playing with numbers, if Gafford goes to Atlanta for #22 (no returning salary) or Brooklyn for #19 (again, no returning salary and assumes Claxton to LAL), then you can keep Kyrie at his current number and still be well under the second apron.  Far enough, in fact, that you have the ability to use the TP MLE for the last spot on the roster.  

The reason I posted what Gafford cost us in trade is it fits fairly well with getting 19 or 22 in this year's draft (we get back what we paid).  The salary difference then takes you from a minimum to a level up in the free agency market (while also adding to the youth movement).  So, kind of a 2 for 1 for outgoing Gafford.

The Paul rumor has grown on me, as has the Gafford to ATL idea. I've said before that I want to keep things simple this offseason and try to have some sense of continuity.

Step 1: Draft Cooper Flagg
Step 2: Trade Gafford for Pick #22 (Walter Clayton Jr.)
Step 3: Trade Hardy for a future SRP
Step 4: Sign Chris Paul
Step 5: Sign Kai Jones to standard contract
Step 6: Ink Kyrie to a new 3-year deal
Step 7: Sign PJW to a 4-year extension

Irving | Paul | Williams
Klay | Christie | Clayton Jr.
Flagg | Naji | Martin
PJW | Omax
AD | Lively | Jones | Powell

I've been saying it for a month now. This opens up the TMLE for someone like Paul. Gump and I went back n forth on this for a while. I think #22 is fair value for Gafford, but I can see how some might not.

The fact that it gets you under A2, keeps Kyrie happy and whole, possibly wins you the CP40 sweepstakes, gets you a young PG (insert your favorite name) that you like, and moves AD to more lone-Big, all has to be taken into consideration with a move like this.

[Chicagojk]

The Gafford and PJ discussions are fascinating. Both are good players or really good support players. PJ has more value but both play hard and seem like good teammates. I think in a vacum you would love to extend them at fair prices. What makes is tricky is that while both are good players, the roster fit is really challenging.

Gafford is a really good tandem center. He goes hard for 5 minutes and then goes out. Then repeat. While he has some limitations, we have to remember last year was his first playoff run. Can he get better or is he a guy who does a lot of damage in the regular season and then drops a peg in the playoffs? Also add to the fact, Lively is a clear hub moving forward. There are questions about Lively but I think the team views him as a core guy. Most people think AD is best at the 5. The mavs and AD disagree. As he gets older though, it may be clear that he is better at the 5.

PJ has the size, length and athleticism that teams want. I don't like him at SF though. He is best at PF. There is a chance he is the third best option at PF now. There has been talk about Cooper playing the 2 (not sure I agree with it now), but lets say Kidd tries this. Do you really want PJ at the three and Cooper at the 2. The ball handling seems really challenging there. Especially if you are playing a center and AD on the floor as well. While, I think I can get to 30 mintues for PJ on most nights, It probably comes with him off the bench. Not sure that is going to work for him.

On the other hand, if Mavs decide to pivot in a year and move AD, both PJ and Gafford immediately become much more valuable to the Mavs. So many moving parts and it will require some deft touch...something this front office just isn't good with. I could be wrong, but I doubt either is moved for a draft pick. I know Nico moved up for Omax, but he didn't trade a usable player. I think Nico thinks this team is good (we can agree or disagree). I just can't see him moving one for a mid 20s pick. It would have to be more.