04-14-2022, 09:29 PM
(04-14-2022, 04:47 PM)F Gump Wrote: They might or might not do a trade to ease the roster crunch - but another possibility is a trade that adds yet another body, making it even worse, such as using the TPE to add a player.
Seems to me the only realistic move this offseason is some sort of trade. Either a minor one where we ship out a heavy protected 2nd and 1 of Burke/Brown/Frank/Chriss and make room for the new draft pick, or a much more major one where the Mavs finally consolidate in a 2 for 1 type of deal possibly including said draft pick.
Some guys we've been debating about all year are actually on the block now given recent news from podcasts/tweets. Do any of these guys strike your fancy?
The Mega Superstars (aka the land of speculation and ephemeral titillation):
Damian Lillard- possibly if Portland fails to do anything significant this summer.
Anthony Davis- heavily doubt this was a real thing, but you never know when LeGM is at the helm.
Rudy Gobert- possible he could be available depending on how poor the playoffs go
Donovan Mitchell- same reason as above
Russell Westbrook- he should feel lucky he's apart of this list as he kind of falls in no mans land. He's basically as free as it gets for a 20ppg scorer right now and is on an expiring contract (Still doesn't make sense to me though).
The 2nd-3rd guys (aka The Flawed Understudies)
Gordon Hayward
Julius Randle
Myles Turner
John Wall
Tobias Harris
Al Horford
John Collins- Who knows of ATL will ever trade him
Clint Capela- See above.
Mike Conley
Malcom Brogdon
Christian Wood
The Role Players (aka Our only intention is to use the Traded Player Exception)
Richaun Holmes*
Eric Gordon*
Derrick Favors
Nerlens Noel
Jakob Poeltl
Obi Toppin
Isaiah Stewart
*Doesn't fit the TPE but should still count as targets
I'm for sure forgetting a few, but it seems like this is the prime summer where the Mavs can do a 2 for 1 deal. Heck I'd even take a guy like Hayward. The rumor trade for him was for Westbrook and a 1st. I think a Mavs package centered around THJ+Brown+Chriss for Hayward makes MUCH more sense for than freaking Westbrook on a team with Roizer+Ball.
What do you think? Do you think the tax will pose as a pseudo-barrier for any potential trade, or would Cuban not care to pay Brunson+ another big contract?
My blockbuster prediction is that the Knicks and Lakers do a swap for Randle+Fournier for Westbrook+1st this summer.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.