MAVS NEWS:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Flagg is amazing and I do not begrudge the Mavericks fans anything for getting him. Just wanna point out that I don't believe it was divine intervention that got him to Dallas, hehe. This was collusion at the NBA's leadership level.

Some recent examples:

• #1 pick to the Pelicans after trading AD to the Lakers.
  
• #1 pick to the Mavericks after trading Luka to the Lakers.
  
• #2 pick to the Spurs, so that Wemby vs SGA can be a storyline.
  
• #3 pick to the 76ers, because Philly is an old storied franchise that needs to be kept relevant after Ben Simmons didn't work out, and with Joel Embiid falling off lately, and with them getting themselves into a real pickle by signing Paul George to that contract.
  

There's been too many examples for this to be mere coincidence. To me it is quite obvious that the NBA steps in to grant favors in the draft to teams that they hope will be title contenders and fit their desired story-lines, at the expense of teams like the Jazz. Most teams who don't fit the desired story-line have 1 thing against them, but the Jazz had 2 things against them here: 1) They're a small market and 2) I can't imagine the powers that be in the NBA and sports media would have been pleased with the optics of an American white guy leading the Utah Jazz (of all teams in the NBA) to multiple titles, with the current political landscape being what it is. Which is more a reflection of how they think, than of anything or anyone else.

Disagree. Dallas clearly beat the odds of much worse teams to get the No 1 pick. Do you think that was just a coincidence? NBA just did them a solid for Dummy Harrison trading away a franchise player and sending one of they're bigger markets into turmoil and unrest. This was akin to a floundering Knicks team in the 80's getting the no 1 pick to draft Patrick Ewing. Different circumstances, but the same effect.

[Winter]

Flagg is amazing and I do not begrudge the Mavericks fans anything for getting him. Just wanna point out that I don't believe it was divine intervention that got him to Dallas, hehe. This was collusion at the NBA's leadership level.

Some recent examples:

• #1 pick to the Pelicans after trading AD to the Lakers.
  
• #1 pick to the Mavericks after trading Luka to the Lakers.
  
• #2 pick to the Spurs, so that Wemby vs SGA can be a storyline.
  
• #3 pick to the 76ers, because Philly is an old storied franchise that needs to be kept relevant after Ben Simmons didn't work out, and with Joel Embiid falling off lately, and with them getting themselves into a real pickle by signing Paul George to that contract.
  

"Sometimes the impossible permits itself the luxury of occurring"

(Charlie Chan's Chance - 1947).

[DallasMaverick]

Flagg is amazing and I do not begrudge the Mavericks fans anything for getting him. Just wanna point out that I don't believe it was divine intervention that got him to Dallas, hehe. This was collusion at the NBA's leadership level.

Some recent examples:

• #1 pick to the Pelicans after trading AD to the Lakers.
  
• #1 pick to the Mavericks after trading Luka to the Lakers.
  
• #2 pick to the Spurs, so that Wemby vs SGA can be a storyline.
  
• #3 pick to the 76ers, because Philly is an old storied franchise that needs to be kept relevant after Ben Simmons didn't work out, and with Joel Embiid falling off lately, and with them getting themselves into a real pickle by signing Paul George to that contract.
  

There's been too many examples for this to be mere coincidence. To me it is quite obvious that the NBA steps in to grant favors in the draft to teams that they hope will be title contenders and fit their desired story-lines, at the expense of teams like the Jazz. Most teams who don't fit the desired story-line have 1 thing against them, but the Jazz had 2 things against them here: 1) They're a small market and 2) I can't imagine the powers that be in the NBA and sports media would have been pleased with the optics of an American white guy leading the Utah Jazz (of all teams in the NBA) to multiple titles, with the current political landscape being what it is. Which is more a reflection of how they think, than of anything or anyone else.

…and David Stern was in the Epstein files!!

[F Gump]

Flagg is amazing and I do not begrudge the Mavericks fans anything for getting him. Just wanna point out that I don't believe it was divine intervention that got him to Dallas, hehe. This was collusion at the NBA's leadership level.

Some recent examples:

• #1 pick to the Pelicans after trading AD to the Lakers.
  
• #1 pick to the Mavericks after trading Luka to the Lakers.
  
• #2 pick to the Spurs, so that Wemby vs SGA can be a storyline.
  
• #3 pick to the 76ers, because Philly is an old storied franchise that needs to be kept relevant after Ben Simmons didn't work out, and with Joel Embiid falling off lately, and with them getting themselves into a real pickle by signing Paul George to that contract.
  

There's been too many examples for this to be mere coincidence. To me it is quite obvious that the NBA steps in to grant favors in the draft to teams that they hope will be title contenders and fit their desired story-lines, at the expense of teams like the Jazz. Most teams who don't fit the desired story-line have 1 thing against them, but the Jazz had 2 things against them here: 1) They're a small market and 2) I can't imagine the powers that be in the NBA and sports media would have been pleased with the optics of an American white guy leading the Utah Jazz (of all teams in the NBA) to multiple titles, with the current political landscape being what it is. Which is more a reflection of how they think, than of anything or anyone else.

Add to this list
- Ewing to NY 
- Olajuwon to HOU
- Lebron to CLE
- Kyrie to CLE
- SA "oddly" winning the lottery EVERY time they are eligible and there is a generational franchise big available (Robinson, Duncan, Wemby)

[Smitty]

Current Roster:

G T. Jones | BWill | Nembhard*
G Christie | Klay | AJ Johnson
F Flagg | Naji | Kelly*
F PJW | Middleton | Martin
C Gafford | Bagley | Powell | Cisse*

Kyrie (OFS?)
Lively (OFS)
*Two-Way

[Smitty]

Is it safe to assume the Mavs will reach a buyout with Middleton and look to convert either Nembhard or Cisse? The Nembhard magic has worn off some but getting him converted still feels like a move they could make.

The Mavs could technically waive any of the pending free agents and there'd be no penalty. Bwill, Powell, Middleton, Bagley, and T. Jones all fall into that category.

[Smitty]

This summer:

G Kyrie | Nembhard*
G Christie | Klay | AJ Johnson
F Naji | Martin | Kelly*
F Flagg | PJW
C Lively | Gafford | Cisse*

*Two-Way
UFA: Middleton, Bagley, T. Jones, BWill, Powell


FRP (Own)
FRP (OKC)
SRP (PHX)
MLE
TPE

[SkenfromLMF]

IF I read the article correctly Nembhard and Cisse are both under 15 games left of NBA eligibility this year.

[Smitty]

This summer:

G Kyrie | Nembhard*
G Christie | Klay | AJ Johnson
F Naji | Martin | Kelly*
F Flagg | PJW
C Lively | Gafford | Cisse*

*Two-Way
UFA: Middleton, Bagley, T. Jones, BWill, Powell


FRP (Own)
FRP (OKC)
SRP (PHX)
MLE
TPE

If we assume their Top-10 pick will be a guard, and start, you’re looking at a FRP-Kyrie-Max-Flagg-Lively starting lineup next year. Depending on how good that Rookie can be out of the gate, it has a chance to be a much more competitive team. The glaring unknowns will be what Kyrie looks like post-injury and if Lively can hold up at all. It’s at least something for me to get excited about. 6’6 Keaton Wagler is who I’m envisioning in that lineup btw.

As for the Non-Draft big decisions… Kyrie, Naji, Max, & Lively are all extension eligible. The next GM will have his work cut out for him. Some potential land mines there IMO.

The obvious trade candidates are Klay, Naji (both expirings), PJW, and Gafford.

Don’t know if there’s any FA they have that I’d want back. Maybe there’s some Sign and Trade options there though. Mostly Middleton, if he’s not bought out beforehand.

[Chicagojk]

I am glad they kept Gafford.   He can be a solid rotation big.   He is also a good teammate.  Maybe he is traded eventually, but with Lively's injury history they need a good innings eater.  He is best in 4 or so minute stretches where he goes all out and then gets a rest.  That is his best role.    Some matchups give him trouble and he is not a great defensive rebounder but I think with the right partner he can be very effective.

[mvossman]

I am glad they kept Gafford.   He can be a solid rotation big.   He is also a good teammate.  Maybe he is traded eventually, but with Lively's injury history they need a good innings eater.  He is best in 4 or so minute stretches where he goes all out and then gets a rest.  That is his best role.    Some matchups give him trouble and he is not a great defensive rebounder but I think with the right partner he can be very effective.

That last sentence was crucial.  I don't know if any of the PGs in our draft range are supposed to be elite P&R point guards, but that is what he needs.  I'm guessing he benefits mightily from Tyus Jones.

[F Gump]

IF I read the article correctly Nembhard and Cisse are both under 15 games left of NBA eligibility this year.

If the game info I am seeing is correct:
--  Cisse has 9 games of eligibility left. Game 10 would be Mar 1
--  Nemby has 7 games of eligibility left. Game 8 would be Feb 26.

[Smitty]

If the game info I am seeing is correct:
--  Cisse has 9 games of eligibility left. Game 10 would be Mar 1
--  Nemby has 7 games of eligibility left. Game 8 would be Feb 26.

With the addition of Jones and Bagley, they have more opportunity to be inactive. Stretching that out some. Either way, I don’t think it’s the end of the world if they get some playing time in the G League.

[F Gump]

With the addition of Jones and Bagley, they have more opportunity to be inactive. Stretching that out some. Either way, I don’t think it’s the end of the world if they get some playing time in the G League.

Yeah, it doesn't have to be automatic. Or on the next day. They don't need to be available - but frankly, that was true without J or B. There are still lots of factors to consider - such as if you see them as a certain Mav ahead, what contract length you want the next one to be (if any), where their development happens fastest (and best), and what the player might give up in order to get that next deal locked in (and more pay this year). There are many more moving parts than it looks like, and sure would benefit from an expert's negotiation and evaluation touch.

[Smitty]

Cooper Flagg is 1 of 10 players w/ 20+ PPG, 6+ RPG, 4+ APG.

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nikola Jokic
Jaylen Brown
Luka Dončić
Jalen Johnson
Deni Avdija
Julius Randle
Alperen Sengün
Paolo Banchero
Cooper Flagg

Flagg turned 19 in Dec.

He has the fewest turnovers per game of them all.

[Winter]

Cooper Flagg is 1 of 10 players w/ 20+ PPG, 6+ RPG, 4+ APG.

Flagg turned 19 in Dec.

He has the fewest turnovers per game of them all.

That's got to be the most bizarre statistic ever.

The youngest "rookie" in the league - who is in several top ten NBA categories - has the fewest TO's against the some of the leagues best veterans.

[Smitty]

I know we've talked a lot about Naji with his fit and future price tag. Now that he's made it past the TDL, I wanted to break down what an extension could look like for him and see what others think about it.

He can get a 4-year extension, with the 1st year starting 140% above the league average salary (~$12M), with 8% max raises.

Current Contract
26-27 | Age 29: $9.4M

Max Extension
27-28 | Age 30: $16.8M
28-29 | Age 31: $18.1M
29-30 | Age 32: $19.6M
30-31 | Age 33: $21.1M

It comes out to a 4 year ~$75M deal with an average annual value of around $19M.

In fairness to Naji this isn't much more than the projected MLE. The Non-taxpayer mid-level would be around 4 years $64M with an average annual value of around $16M.

[JamesConway912]

I know we've talked a lot about Naji with his fit and future price tag. Now that he's made it past the TDL, I wanted to break down what an extension could look like for him and see what others think about it.

He can get a 4-year extension, with the 1st year starting 140% above the league average salary (~$12M), with 8% max raises.

Current Contract
26-27 | Age 29: $9.4M

Max Extension
27-28 | Age 30: $16.8M
28-29 | Age 31: $18.1M
29-30 | Age 32: $19.6M
30-31 | Age 33: $21.1M

It comes out to a 4 year ~$75M deal with an average annual value of around $19M.

Thats a lot of money for a role player in his (then) late 20s on a bad team.

At some point the oncourt production & fit has to be evaluated. Marshall + Flagg have played roughly 1000 minutes next to each other this season and the results have been poor at ~ -6,5 points per 100 possessions per NBA.com 2 men lineup stats.

The team has not performed well overall which huerts all lineup stats but even if you look at all 2 men groups that have played almost 100 minutes together Flagg and Marshall are roughly in the bottom 10-15 of the Mavs’ duos.

Winning is hard in the NBA. You cant just declare anybody a building block by default and pay them accordingly. Gafford and Washington are already on big longterm deals and it’s not like the results with those two alongside Flagg have been a great positive either. (-3 and -10 per 100 possessions).

So I would be very hesitant here and at the very least evaluate the fit again next season before committing money to a third guy who might just not be what is needed next to Flagg.

Personally I would look to package Marshall with the OKC and PHX pick and see how far I can move up from #30 and grab the best guy according to my board.

And then evaluate Gafford and PJ extensively next season with a look at the TDL in mind.

[khaled1987]

If we assume their Top-10 pick will be a guard, and start, you’re looking at a FRP-Kyrie-Max-Flagg-Lively starting lineup next year. Depending on how good that Rookie can be out of the gate, it has a chance to be a much more competitive team. The glaring unknowns will be what Kyrie looks like post-injury and if Lively can hold up at all. It’s at least something for me to get excited about. 6’6 Keaton Wagler is who I’m envisioning in that lineup btw.

That is 3 Massive unknowns. Wisdom say we won't be that much competitive with those tbh 

If we are a bit lucky with health, I see a team in the play-in (7-10 range).

[DanSchwartzgan]

Thats a lot of money for a role player in his (then) late 20s on a bad team.

At some point the oncourt production & fit has to be evaluated. Marshall + Flagg have played roughly 1000 minutes next to each other this season and the results have been poor at ~ -6,5 points per 100 possessions per NBA.com 2 men lineup stats.

The team has not performed well overall which huerts all lineup stats but even if you look at all 2 men groups that have played almost 100 minutes together Flagg and Marshall are roughly in the bottom 10-15 of the Mavs’ duos.

Winning is hard in the NBA. You cant just declare anybody a building block by default and pay them accordingly. Gafford and Washington are already on big longterm deals and it’s not like the results with those two alongside Flagg have been a great positive either. (-3 and -10 per 100 possessions).

I like Marshall, but his best role is the direct backup to Flagg as their offensive games (attack the basket off the dribble and shoot a three if you absolutely have to) are similar.  His full allowable extension is too high for that role.  He's probably made himself some money this season, but there isn't a team out there that is going to pay over the MLE for him.

Unfortunately, PJ next to Flagg is even worse than Marshall next to Flagg.  I don't think we have our answer at this position yet.  Both PJ and Marshall are nice players to have and I'd probably like to have one of them off of my bench longer term.  But neither is critical to what needs to be built around Flagg.