2021 FREE AGENCY: Markkanen wants out of CHI | DAL "definitely interested"

[F Gump]

You said: "On Mav moves, Stein was consistently ahead this summer. When they got something done, he was the guy that knew it first. When they were close, he knew it first."


So I went back to look and here is the "reality" not what we want to "believe"....

• Jake Fischer was first on JRich trade possibility to BOS. Shams was the first to announce the trade.
  
• Jake Fischer was first on Sterling Brown connection. Shams was first on the contract.
  
• Tim MacMahon was first on Cauley-Stein likely getting picked up. Shams was first to announce it officially.
  
• Stein was the first to announce Reggie Bullock contract.
  
• Stein was first on the Mavs confidence of Boban returning.
  

So Stein was not first on everything this summer. 

Thank you for looking those up. To add to your list, in the last week Stein also broke the Mavs news on Finley's promotion, and on the THJ deal. And I think he KNEW (and basically BROKE) insider info reflecting Mavs interest in Kawhi first, and then Lowry, until they fell short on those targets.

But you're right, Stein was not the first on EVERYTHING this week. Although to be accurate, before, he wasn't ALWAYS the first then either.

My assessment of the evidence has me not buying the idea that he's somehow found himself on the outside looking in.

When you say you wonder if his sources with the Mavs are not the same, isn't that an obvious "yes" -- Donnie is out of the equation. As to whether he (or anyone) will have similar access with Nico as with Donnie, of course that remains to be seen. But we also must remember --- if we assume Cuban is still in the loop to the same degree, and will be on top of whatever is breaking, MC likes to stay loyal. And Stein has known Grant and Finley - also in the loop - for more than 20 years.