DAL OFFSEASON: Trade & FA | Mavs "mostly done...but you never know."

[Mapka]

Did anybody follow the Buddy-Hield-Saga? 
At the moment the word is, he isn't even answering the phone, when his coach is calling. Some fans think, he thinks he is a star. He clashed with his former coach too. 

Can anybody remember the drama around his new contract? 

Even if he might be a better player on the court, I would not swap him with THJ.

[Mavs2019]

Some new ideas:

Powell +THJ for Batum

Why for the Mavs? Long-term planning. You get off Powell´s contract. Who knows maybe Batum actually proves to be useful. The guy is "only" 31 years old and was once considered one of the better defenders in the league, but that would just be a bonus.

Why for the Hornets? THJ is an upgrade over all their SGs. You can argue they don´t even have a starting SG. They only have Zeller at C and only for another year, so Powell fills a void, whether he starts or is a back-up.

Snell for Wright

Why for the Mavs? Duh.

Why for the Pistons? They only have Derrick Rose at PG, but they have FIVE nominal SGs under contract for 2021 with the focus on Kennard, Brown and Mykhailiuk. So they get a veteran back-up PG. Maybe former defensive college standout SG Khyri Thomas could be a cheap target, too.

Kleber for Okogie + Layman + #17 

Why for the Mavs? You get another free shot in the middle of the 1st round. You get a potential young defender in Okogie and Layman is useful for 10-12 minutes, more importantly insignificant enough money-wise to carry until 2022. Kleber can be replaced in FA, for example with MLE Saric (or Bertans).

Why for Minnesota? They´ll probably select Edwards, which means there will hardly be any minutes for Okogie. You already have enough young players, so giving up #17 is not a problem. You severely lack front-court depth, even if you re-sign Juancho. Kleber seems a good fit next to either KAT or James Johnson.

And now the kaboof magic trick. These trades all work independent from each other. So the new roster would be....

Doncic/Brunson/#18
Snell/Curry/Okogie
DFS/Batum/Layman
Saric (MLE) / #17 / #31 
Porzingis/WCS/Boban

EDIT: Ah I completely forgot about Justin Jackson. Well he either gets added to a trade, released or we stash Pokusevski (#17) or Bolmaro (#31) overseas for a season.

And for 2021 you are already a piss-easy Jake Layman trade away from Giannis money, while adding Saric and the #17 pick.

[StepBackJay]

I know this board likes Hield but it's not going to happen for the simple reason that Hield has multiple years on his deal and isn't a star player so MBT isn't going to do that type of trade. It doesn't really matter if he's an upgrade over THJ, I just can't see any scenario where that trade happens.

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The other thing I keep seeing is S&T ideas with Lee involved for salary matching. While I think it's technically possible I don't know that I have seen that happen in this CBA and I just really doubt it materializes. There is a decent chance the Mavs sign Lee to like a 3-5 mil 1 yr deal (more than a vet min) to potentially use him as filler in a TDL deal I would just be surprised if we saw a S&T deal.

[Scott41theMavs]

I know this board likes Hield but it's not going to happen for the simple reason that Hield has multiple years on his deal and isn't a star player so MBT isn't going to do that type of trade. It doesn't really matter if he's an upgrade over THJ, I just can't see any scenario where that trade happens.

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The other thing I keep seeing is S&T ideas with Lee involved for salary matching. While I think it's technically possible I don't know that I have seen that happen in this CBA and I just really doubt it materializes. There is a decent chance the Mavs sign Lee to like a 3-5 mil 1 yr deal (more than a vet min) to potentially use him as filler in a TDL deal I would just be surprised if we saw a S&T deal.

The other issue is, why would other teams want an SnT Lee.

[Mavs2019]

I know this board likes Hield but it's not going to happen for the simple reason that Hield has multiple years on his deal and isn't a star player so MBT isn't going to do that type of trade. It doesn't really matter if he's an upgrade over THJ, I just can't see any scenario where that trade happens.

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The other thing I keep seeing is S&T ideas with Lee involved for salary matching. While I think it's technically possible I don't know that I have seen that happen in this CBA and I just really doubt it materializes. There is a decent chance the Mavs sign Lee to like a 3-5 mil 1 yr deal (more than a vet min) to potentially use him as filler in a TDL deal I would just be surprised if we saw a S&T deal.

The other issue is, why would other teams want an SnT Lee.

Maybe they are fans of Courtney Cox and Bruce Lee and.... yeah that´s all I got.  

[KillerLeft]

I know this board likes Hield but it's not going to happen for the simple reason that Hield has multiple years on his deal and isn't a star player so MBT isn't going to do that type of trade. It doesn't really matter if he's an upgrade over THJ, I just can't see any scenario where that trade happens.

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The other thing I keep seeing is S&T ideas with Lee involved for salary matching. While I think it's technically possible I don't know that I have seen that happen in this CBA and I just really doubt it materializes. There is a decent chance the Mavs sign Lee to like a 3-5 mil 1 yr deal (more than a vet min) to potentially use him as filler in a TDL deal I would just be surprised if we saw a S&T deal.

I agree with all of this, and I have a feeling they want Lee to play here again.

[Scott41theMavs]

I know this board likes Hield but it's not going to happen for the simple reason that Hield has multiple years on his deal and isn't a star player so MBT isn't going to do that type of trade. It doesn't really matter if he's an upgrade over THJ, I just can't see any scenario where that trade happens.

---

The other thing I keep seeing is S&T ideas with Lee involved for salary matching. While I think it's technically possible I don't know that I have seen that happen in this CBA and I just really doubt it materializes. There is a decent chance the Mavs sign Lee to like a 3-5 mil 1 yr deal (more than a vet min) to potentially use him as filler in a TDL deal I would just be surprised if we saw a S&T deal.

I agree with all of this, and I have a feeling they want Lee to play here again.

How in the world will we have a roster spot for him? Guess that means we're draft-and-stashing Aleksej.

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The latest Bleacher Report mock has us trading down to 25 to get Ferguson from the Thunder, and draft-and-stashing Balmaro.

[omahen]

How in the world will we have a roster spot for him?

There are other ways to utilize #18 than actually keeping the player drafted :-)

[KillerLeft]

I have a feeling they want Lee to play here again.

How in the world will we have a roster spot for him? Guess that means we're draft-and-stashing Aleksej.

Good question, and I think he's probably a "last thing they do, maybe" sort of situation, and not a priority. 

But, I still put the chances of them trading one or both of those picks at around 50%, at least. I'm not saying it's what I'd do, necessarily (would have to know the deal), but it wouldn't be shocking for the Mavs, would it? And, it's easy to imagine them sending more players out than they bring back in a deal, even if they keep the picks and draft people. Finally, I wouldn't be shocked if they don't use the MLE, tbqh. 

I think many options are in play for them right now, and I think Lee is very likely to WANT to be here, and on a minimum deal. Tbh, I think he's probably one of the better values at that price point on the market right now. They seem to really value his experience and leadership, and I don't think he played badly when he got minutes the past two seasons. I mean, I don't see him as a top-9 playoff rotation dude, but he can have all of Jackson's minutes and do more with them, imo. Good insurance with experience. He IS a 3&D wing. 

I think it's something in their hip pockets that they'll jump on if they have the roster spot when the dust clears.

[Scott41theMavs]

How in the world will we have a roster spot for him?

There are other ways to utilize #18 than actually keeping the player drafted :-)

https://media.giphy.com/media/iSxPmDWr97248/giphy.gif

[StepBackJay]

But, I still put the chances of them trading one or both of those picks at around 50%, at least. 

For me I am like 99% in the camp of at least 1 of those picks get moved. Mavs are much more likely to keep that 2nd round pick bc they are able to get a potential rotational contributor on a very team-friendly deal. I will be completely shocked if we draft and keep players draft by those 2 picks.

[SleepingHero]

Powell +THJ for Batum

Why for the Mavs? Long-term planning. You get off Powell´s contract. Who knows maybe Batum actually proves to be useful. The guy is "only" 31 years old and was once considered one of the better defenders in the league, but that would just be a bonus.

Why for the Hornets? THJ is an upgrade over all their SGs. You can argue they don´t even have a starting SG. They only have Zeller at C and only for another year, so Powell fills a void, whether he starts or is a back-up

Batum is objectively one of the worst players in the league. In the bottom of the barrel of the all the barrels. Not only has he had injury woes, he's just been downright awful. And he's set to be paid 27 mil next year. Obviously the Mavs get off of Powell's contract which is a big plus, but if offering CHA a get out of Batum free card, AND giving them 2 solid role players, they better be paying the Mavs handsomely 

Honestly I'd expect the #3 pick to take on 27 mil of dead space. No way CHA does that, but giving them 2 solid role players and 27 mil of cap space deserves a lot.

[KillerLeft]

So, the common ground here for ALL of us, I think, is that we want to see the team change the way they view the draft. I think we'd all agree that they have thrown opportunities for young talent in the trash a few too many times in the past by constantly making deals with their picks. 

Having said that, if we're being honest, we can also find common ground on the concept that there IS a level of player we'd rather have than whomever might be available at #18. I mean, that level might be different from person to person around here, but we can ALL imagine SOMEONE in the league we'd rather the Mavs get than even our wildest speculation about what the best case scenario is for any of the #18 guys. Right? 

I'm doing my best to keep an open mind and to try to figure out what the Mavs might be thinking right now. If they do something I think is stupid, I'll say so, but after almost a decade of total ineptitude, the front office has put together about 20 months of what I consider to be greatness. They are currently getting the benefit of the doubt from me.

[Scott41theMavs]

So, the common ground here for ALL of us, I think, is that we want to see the team change the way they view the draft. I think we'd all agree that they have thrown opportunities for young talent in the trash a few too many times in the past by constantly making deals with their picks.

Having said that, if we're being honest, we can also find common ground on the concept that there IS a level of player we'd rather have than whomever might be available at #18. I mean, that level might be different from person to person around here, but we can ALL imagine SOMEONE in the league we'd rather the Mavs get than even our wildest speculation about what the best case scenario is for any of the #18 guys. Right?

I'm doing my best to keep an open mind and to try to figure out what the Mavs might be thinking right now. If they do something I think is stupid, I'll say so, but after almost a decade of total ineptitude, the front office has put together about 20 months of what I consider to be greatness. They are currently getting the benefit of the doubt from me.

Yeah, they lost 80% of my Luka-KP benefit of the doubt with last summer's debacle.

That said, I'm on record as saying, they got needs, and if they believe that trading the draft pick meets one of those needs, I'm all for it - presuming they believe the guy they could get at 18 isn't good enough. I believe that, while this draft is short on future stars, it's chock-full of potential role-player starters, which the Mavs need. I would prefer they combined 18 and 31 to move up (oh, the bangheads if they did that and then traded that pick for another player) and get a better choice of contributors, but if the guy they get in trade is good, it's alright. I would also like to see Cuban follow through on his "We're buyers" comment and buy a pick in the 20s. Plenty of good talent (ahem TIGER BAY) in that range at a cheap price.

[Kammrath]

while this draft is short on future stars, it's chock-full of potential role-player starters, which the Mavs need. I would prefer they combined 18 and 31 to move up

Very much agree on this draft and think 18 and 31 are GREAT spots within it. I would only trade up for a couple guys honestly (Vassell and Haliburton as two) otherwise I like picking where they are at and maybe even purchasing #26 if possible. 

The Mavs need starter/rotation quality role players at good prices and I think they can grab 1 or 2 in this draft with good evaluation and a splash of luck.

[KillerLeft]

So am I to take it that you two are totally against trading out of this draft? You don’t at least want to see what they do before deciding it’s a bad idea?

[Kammrath]

So am I to take it that you two are totally against trading out of this draft? You don’t at least want to see what they do before deciding it’s a bad idea?

Your summary above was REALLY good and I am 100% fine trading out of the draft for the RIGHT long term starter. However, for me to be happy he better be REALLY good. 

P.S. They could trade 18 and 31 to get a guy THEN buy #26 to get back in. I would be cool with that depending on the guy.

[StepBackJay]

Batum is objectively one of the worst players in the league. In the bottom of the barrel of the all the barrels. Not only has he had injury woes, he's just been downright awful.

I agree that no one will be trading for Batum the player this offseason. Some team could trade for his contract tho and buy him out.

If I could dump Powell+Wright+Jackson for Batum (who would then get bought out) I would be pretty happy. I think MBT isn't ready to dump Powell but I would be happy just clearing 20 mil off the books. I also don't think Charlotte would do that deal without additional compensation.

[Hypermav]

[b]QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MAVERICKS[/b]
[b]“Derrick Jones Jr or Jae crowder ….Who is a better free agent for the Mavs?” –@TronccosoRamon[/b]
Jae Crowder is the perfect veteran for this team, a free agent and a former Maverick. That said, I’m not sure why he would leave a team that just went to the Finals. (I don’t think the question was implying that; I just wanted to state that.) I remember much of the Mavericks fanbase was upset that Rick Carlisle played Crowder so frequently in his first couple years here because it often didn’t seem like he was making any tangible impact. But in the years since, I’ve come around on the concept of “winning” players who are always in the right place, doing the small things and making your team better — the Crowders and Marcus Smarts and Danny Greens of the world. It’s an old coaching cliche that can be borne out in stats. Is a player consistently at the top of your plus-minus statistics? Does he have the best net rating out of anyone in a rotation? Maybe that means something. Maybe these stats are measuring something that the traditional ones don’t necessarily reflect.
Think about the Mavericks with just one more such player added to the roster. Just one more player who’s defensively sound, who can prevent four points per game that the team would’ve given up last year, who earns you an extra possession in a loose-ball scenario. Those things don’t sound like much until you think about what that would actually mean for an 82-game season. Dallas had the best offense of all time. It has Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The team could sign Giannis Antetokounmpo and become a juggernaut, and maybe they will. But it’s the small things being provided from a rotation player, a fifth starter, that could vault Dallas into a dominant position overnight.
[b]“i would love to know your thoughts on who you think the mavericks should make a run for in free agency/trade market. a lot of ppl say mavs are once piece away, but who would that one piece be?” –@notimabill01[/b]
Andre Roberson is my latest interest.
[b]“What would you trade to get Oladipo on the Mavs, if you would want to at all?” –@mfflhunter[/b]
I mentioned Oladipo in a column months ago and have thought about him plenty since. I think, after all this thought, I’m out on the idea. It hinges on the idea that the Mavericks need a proper third star, one with star power, a concept I’ve increasingly divorced. It’s not star power. Doncic and Porzingis at the top of the team is perfectly viable. It’s specific issues, like another ball-handler and the aforementioned wing defense, that will elevate this team to the next level. Oladipo doesn’t shoot well enough – he had one good season beyond the arc that I don’t believe he will replicate again – and isn’t a good enough ball-handler for that to matter.
[b]“Out of Maxey, Terry, Hampton, Bey and Pokusevski who should Dallas take at 18 and would you use 31 on Maledon is hes is there?” –@Tobiyashi067[/b]
Bey, and yes. But at this rate, I would be surprised if they actually drafted a player with the 18th pick.

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https://theathletic.com/2115117/2020/10/...o-wouldnt/

[Kammrath]

But at this rate, I would be surprised if they actually drafted a player with the 18th pick.