AROUND the NBA: ATL Jumps from #10 to #1 in Lotto| Pistons Mull Firing GM

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Kuzma opts out.

[DallasMaverick]

Kuzma opts out.

Will he get $15m?  20m?

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Kuzma opts out.

Nice.
THJ+2027 pick for a signed and traded Kuzma incoming.

[DallasMaverick]

Nice.
THJ+2027 pick for a signed and traded Kuzma incoming.

Hmm...

How's his defense?  Probably don't need another score-first guy.

[Jym]

Hmm...

How's his defense?  Probably don't need another score-first guy.

Other sites might like him more but the advanced numbers on Basketball reference absolutely hate him. On both ends.
 A meh true shooting percentage, high turnover to assist ratio, and abysmal defense

[Luka77]

Vassell and Bilal are redundant.  Almost the same player, although I think Bilal is more athletic and has better ball handling skills.

SAS are light years ahead of the Mavs in evaluating, drafting and developing talent.  That much has been shown year after year for at least the two decades. 

If they want a talent and to trade a young vet for a talent the Mavs should think about taking that talent themselves.  Last time they made a trade like that they ended up with Kawhi while the other team got George Hill.

If SAS likes someone that the Mavs are unsure about they better demand a premium.

[cow]

Bruce Brown opts out.

[Knutsen]

Bruce Brown opts out.

He would be perfect for our team. 
What’s the most we can offer him? The one advantage we have compared to the Nuggets is a starting role next to Kyrie and Luka. Did he mesh well with Kyrie and his antics on the Nets, does anybody know? 

Realistic outcome is he signs a short and cheap deal with the Nuggets and gets paid next year.

[SkenfromLMF]

Great move by Denver...

I have coveted both of those picks in every trade down scenario for the Mavs this year.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Great move by Denver...

I have coveted both of those picks in every trade down scenario for the Mavs this year.

Denver is trying to stay on top for a while.

[omahen]

So Boston ends up trading Smart and salary fillers for KP. Picking up 2 FRP in the process. I think the move makes them worse, but they have plenty of flexibility to do other stuff. KP with Rob Williams could be an interesting frontcourt. I hope KP will be looking for his post ups a lot

Smart on Memphis will be interesting to see. Not really bigger wing they need next to Morant and Bane, it will be difficult to play those three together. They also lost Jones, who was elite back-up PG. Not really a fan of the deal for them. They still have plenty of assets to do more if they wish.

Washington got elite back-up PG and a solid second rounder for a guy that could just walk. Looking at big picture, they dumped Din, Bertans and received expiring Jones and two second rounders. I wonder if the plan still is to go after guard in the draft, in which case most likely Jones is gone. I think Monte Morris is very available. Too bad Mavs don't have a couple of second rounders. He is a perfect third creator, first guard of the bench.

[Chicagojk]

Catch the Hornet fever!

Even the mascot is out.

https://twitter.com/kofie/status/1672328...74400?s=46&t=iwQP5yZoJF3Ulzfb9MH7Cg

[SleepingHero]

Catch the Hornet fever!

Even the mascot is out.

https://twitter.com/kofie/status/1672328...74400?s=46&t=iwQP5yZoJF3Ulzfb9MH7Cg

This is actually one of the funniest things of the last year I've seen.

The meme potential of this clip is legendary.

[Mavs2021]

This is actually one of the funniest things of the last year I've seen.

The meme potential of this clip is legendary.

I read one comment that went something like: This is Hugo. He even cheered for the Cody Zeller pick. That´s when you know, you f`d up.

[DanSchwartzgan]

6'5 29 year old Starting PG on the Serbian National Team Micic wants to come to the NBA.  OKC has his rights, but in talks with other teams about a trade of those rights...

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/27...ext-Season

[Chicagojk]

6'5 29 year old Starting PG on the Serbian National Team Micic wants to come to the NBA.  OKC has his rights, but in talks with other teams about a trade of those rights...

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/27...ext-Season

Yeah I saw that.  It appears he is looking for something in the 6-7 million range, a starting level role or high minute guarantee, and probably play for a team that he can feel comfortable with.  OKC is probably looking for some kind of asset back as well.

I looked at him real closely last year when we lost Jalen.   I have no idea how he fits in the NBA.  These types of foreign players are real tough for me to evaluate.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Stein with a new Substack article tonight.  Main point is Houston’s plans which have FVV and Brooks at the top of their list (they want both).

[KillerLeft]

Stein with a new Substack article tonight.  Main point is Houston’s plans which have FVV and Brooks at the top of their list (they want both).

Harden back to Philly, eh?

[Jym]

Stein with a new Substack article tonight.  Main point is Houston’s plans which have FVV and Brooks at the top of their list (they want both).

Perfect
2 guys we don't need to touch

Hopefully the Kings throw a lot of money at Kuzma

[DanSchwartzgan]

Harden back to Philly, eh?

If you follow the rumors, the top of Free Agency is probably:

Harden - Phily
Irving - Dallas
Middleton - Bucks
Draymond - GSW
FVV - Houston
Grant - (Depends on Dame)
Lopez - (Houston or Bucks)
Cam Johnson - Brooklyn matches
Reeves - Lakers Match
Vuc - (Hard to call.  What is Chicago's plan here)
Poeltl - Toronto
Kuzma - Kings
Barnes - Indy
Brooks - Houston
G. Williams - (Boston can't afford)
Brown - (Loyalty to Denver or take the $50mm and run?)

I've marked in RED those who seem to be most up in the air.  Grant would require a trade with Portland (which doesn't happen unless Dame leaves).  I don't think Dallas is a leading candidate for Lopez.  That leaves Vuc, G. Williams and Brown.  All control their destiny.  G-Will and Brown probably can't get top dollar from their own teams.  Does anyone have any idea what Chicago is doing.  They could run it back or could do a full-on Wiz v2.0 with LaVine being the Beal in this version.

I know others have posted this, but Vuc is an interesting option.  He's a vastly different center from Lively or Holmes.  You could start him for now and count on Maxi and Green to be the primary defenders in the first five.  But, eventually, he could be a bench big who carries some scoring load as he finishes this contract and Lively moves to the starting five.  

Just my read of the tea leaves as of now.