Trade & FA 2023-24: Paul George to Test Free Agency After No Contract Extension

[The Jom]

I hate the PJ Washington trade.  I think PJ Washington looked like a good player with a bright future a few years ago.  He has since lost his ability to hit the 3 and no longer tries on defense.  He's bigger than Grant Williams.  He has long arms.   I can't say a lot of other nice things about him.  He's below average on offense and defense.  I hate this particular trade.  Maybe he'll be rejuvenated on a better team.  Maybe he'll decide to try on defense.  We might luck out.  

We were swindled by the Hornets.  Top-2 protection is worse than any scenario I thought was actually possible.  I thought lottery-protection was the worst possible outcome.  Mark Cuban dived beneath my lowest expectations.

It’s really hard for me to understand how anyone can think the Mavs are in the lottery in 3 years. Nearly the entire team is under contract that long. Only THJ, Exum, Jones, and Hardy are not. This team is far from picking in the lottery this year, and they will have several opportunities to improve between now and 27.

[surfpuckmd]

As much as I dislike the PJ Washington trade, I like the Gafford move.  We have been a much better team this season when Lively is in the game.  What I really wanted was a Lively clone.  Gafford is pretty close to that.  He'll provide similar rim protection, rebounding and elite finishing at the rim as Lively.  He immediately becomes one of the league's best backup bigs.  I like his contract.  I like his effort on defense.  I think he'll love playing with Luka.

When everyone is healthy, this will give us a bench of THJ, Gafford, Exum, DJJ and Kleber.  That is one of the best benches in the NBA.

I think the Gafford acquisition was a winning move and makes us the favorite for the 6th spot in the West.  I think a Booker or Durant injury would give us good shot at 5th.  Overall, I think today was a decent day.  I just can't get over the top-2 protected pick for PJ Washington.  I can't wait to see Gafford play with Luka and Kyrie though.

[F Gump]

Dallas can give $5,405,000 pro-rated- pretty sure the most of any team right now available.

As I'm sure you know, buyout guys almost never incite a bidding war. These are players their team has paid to go away, and they have already been paid for the season. So in virtually every case it is a rest-of-season pro-rated minimum, which any team can offer, and is going to be about $700,000 this season (depending on when the player signs).

After today's trades, the Mavs have one empty roster slot and still have about $2.66M of room under the tax line.

Also noteworthy is that the rest of the season from here is the time frame when smart front offices assess youngsters not on NBA deals (including their own 2-ways) and sign one of them to a multi-year deal at minimum salary with almost no future guarantees. That's a good use for leftover MLE which can lock up a player for 3 years or even 4 for such a player. That works if (but only if) your staff has done a good job developing those fringe youngsters.

[dirkfansince1998]

As I'm sure you know, buyout guys almost never incite a bidding war. These are players their team has paid to go away, and they have already been paid for the season. So in virtually every case it is a rest-of-season pro-rated minimum, which any team can offer, and is going to be about $700,000 this season (depending on when the player signs).

After today's trades, the Mavs have one empty roster slot and still have about $2.66M of room under the tax line.

Also noteworthy is that the rest of the season from here is the time frame when smart front offices assess youngsters not on NBA deals (including their own 2-ways) and sign one of them to a multi-year deal at minimum salary with almost no future guarantees. That's a good use for leftover MLE which can lock up a player for 3 years or even 4 for such a player. That works if (but only if) your staff has done a good job developing those fringe youngsters.

Or just sign McClung to walk away with at least one trophy this season and finally have a slam dunk champion on the roster.

[surfpuckmd]

It’s really hard for me to understand how anyone can think the Mavs are in the lottery in 3 years. Nearly the entire team is under contract that long. Only THJ, Exum, Jones, and Hardy are not. This team is far from picking in the lottery this year, and they will have several opportunities to improve between now and 27.

A lot of current lottery teams were certain that they wouldn't be lottery teams three years ago.  The Bulls, Warriors, Nets and Hawks all expected to be contenders. Yet, they are all now lottery teams.  Superstars become frustrated and leave.  Injuries ruin careers.  Lots of potential for disaster.  

I don't have a problem with taking a risk on trading a first though.  I just don't think PJ Washington was a worthwhile risk.  He was a backup on a terrible team.  Why would he suddenly become a solid starter on a playoff team?  Is Jason Kidd that good of a coach?

Also, I would rather we maintain a few picks for ourselves.  They've drafted well over the past few years when they've actually drafted.  I'd rather we make a few picks along the way.

[F Gump]

If you assume Exum is out for the year it makes sense, otherwise it’s odd to me. Dinwiddie may legitimately be the worst perimeter defender I’ve seen on this team the past decade and he’s been reallllllly bad this year overall.

---

Ya if he wants to take Seth’s now empty role fine but I don’t want him very high in the pecking order here.

No idea if the Mavs will get him, but the addition of SD in 2022 made a huge difference, because it added another significant ball-handler who can attack, and score. That let them play Luka and Brunson together, and as many minutes as each could handle, with another player who can do some of those things waiting to give them a rest. And at times the Mavs would really push the envelope and play all 3 together. (With plenty of rim-running bigs who can DEFEND, I wonder what that sort of attack would create now? Just thinking.)

In theory Kyrie is now in the Brunson role, and Exum is the 3rd guy. But you really need another guy because of injuries. SD can be that guy. And he already knows that role very well.

[Jason Terry]

As I'm sure you know, buyout guys almost never incite a bidding war. These are players their team has paid to go away, and they have already been paid for the season. So in virtually every case it is a rest-of-season pro-rated minimum, which any team can offer, and is going to be about $700,000 this season (depending on when the player signs).

After today's trades, the Mavs have one empty roster slot and still have about $2.66M of room under the tax line.

Also noteworthy is that the rest of the season from here is the time frame when smart front offices assess youngsters not on NBA deals (including their own 2-ways) and sign one of them to a multi-year deal at minimum salary with almost no future guarantees. That's a good use for leftover MLE which can lock up a player for 3 years or even 4 for such a player. That works if (but only if) your staff has done a good job developing those fringe youngsters.

This is where we need to do a better job

[Jason Terry]

No idea if the Mavs will get him, but the addition of SD in 2022 made a huge difference, because it added another significant ball-handler who can attack, and score. That let them play Luka and Brunson together, and as many minutes as each could handle, with another player who can do some of those things waiting to give them a rest.

In theory Kyrie is now in the Brunson role, and Exum is the 3rd guy. But you really need another guy because of injuries. SD can be that guy. And he already knows that role very well.

Yes. Dinwiddie would be perfect at taking over the THJ minutes that are painful. Exum brings what we need but he’s been hurt and sometimes we just need a bucket. Dinwiddie would be perfect in that role. Also perfect better Kyrie insurance should he get hurt

[Dundalis]

I hate the PJ Washington trade.  I think PJ Washington looked like a good player with a bright future a few years ago.  He has since lost his ability to hit the 3 and no longer tries on defense.  He's bigger than Grant Williams.  He has long arms.   I can't say a lot of other nice things about him.  He's below average on offense and defense.  I hate this particular trade.  Maybe he'll be rejuvenated on a better team.  Maybe he'll decide to try on defense.  We might luck out.  

We were swindled by the Hornets.  Top-2 protection is worse than any scenario I thought was actually possible.  I thought lottery-protection was the worst possible outcome.  Mark Cuban dived beneath my lowest expectations.

I heard similar talk when we traded for Spencer Dinwiddie. I get we didn't give up a FRP, but people trashed Dinwiddie.

Big similarities between the two is that by every single report, PJ Washington is the consummate pro and great in the locker room. Those types of players can still get jaded when playing for a team as trash as the Hornets, but also exactly the type of player who will rejuvenate performance wise when they get put onto a good team, because that professionalism will carry them. The skillset and talent is obviously there as you said, given what he showed his first three years. It's the guys who are poor pros with ego issues that have issues no matter what situation they are in. Maybe it won't work, but I think that bit of information is important to note for how he could perform coming here.

[Mavs2021]

I hate the PJ Washington trade.  I think PJ Washington looked like a good player with a bright future a few years ago.  He has since lost his ability to hit the 3 and no longer tries on defense.  He's bigger than Grant Williams.  He has long arms.   I can't say a lot of other nice things about him.  He's below average on offense and defense.  I hate this particular trade.  Maybe he'll be rejuvenated on a better team.  Maybe he'll decide to try on defense.  We might luck out. 

That´s not luck. That´s part of the evaluation process. Neither Washington or Gafford have ever played for a winning team, and teammates on the level of Doncic/Irving. This is about the same projection the Mavs should have made 3-4 years ago with Randle and Markkanen. The problem was G. Williams never had any upside like Randle or Markkanen, which I think Washington has. Maybe not to their extend, but certainly way beyond G. Williams, who always had just a roleplayer ceiling. They should have gone for PJ in the summer and avoided the extra 1st they paid for G. Williams. That was the mistake- Also let´s not forget that part of the process was getting Gafford plus two (high) 2nd round picks.

[Dundalis]

No idea if the Mavs will get him, but the addition of SD in 2022 made a huge difference, because it added another significant ball-handler who can attack, and score. That let them play Luka and Brunson together, and as many minutes as each could handle, with another player who can do some of those things waiting to give them a rest. And at times the Mavs would really push the envelope and play all 3 together. (With plenty of rim-running bigs who can DEFEND, I wonder what that sort of attack would create now? Just thinking.)

In theory Kyrie is now in the Brunson role, and Exum is the 3rd guy. But you really need another guy because of injuries. SD can be that guy. And he already knows that role very well.

Yep to me, Exum is the 3rd ball handler, should be the starter over Green and DJJ when healthy.

Dinwiddie is all about the simple fact that in Dallas, he is by far the best player skillset wise to replace some of what Kyrie brings when Kyrie is not healthy. IMO when both Luka and Kyrie is playing he should be fourth wheel as a ball handler behind Exum due to his non existent defense, with limited minutes, but given we know Kyrie is gonna continue to have health issues, he's best positioned to be offensive scorer/playmaker in Kyrie's absense (or even Luka's when he gets games off). To me that should be his role, and will be great insurance.

[Dundalis]

Guys Dinwiddie is shooting less than 40% FROM THE FIELD this year. Ya he’s moody and maybe will get revived AGAIN next to Luka but we have much much better options.

I don’t think folks are appreciating how small a sample size Dinwiddies good shooting was here AND how he really only showed up for like 2 playoff games. If I have to watch Dinwiddie close out shooters like he’s drunk falling into the first row of the crowd again I’m going to be annoyed.

Did you just point out Dinwiddie's shooting this year in 48 games, then dismiss his "small sample" size shooting for Dallas over 94 games? Seriously?

Also want to know what Dinwiddie was shooting prior to coming to Dallas, where everyone was trashing his acquisition like you are now? The fact we have better options now makes this an even better pick up. He's easily best positioned to replicate some of what Luka or Kyrie do when one or both are out. And should get limited minutes otherwise. Would be an excellent low risk pickup.

[mvossman]

Did you just point out Dinwiddie's shooting this year in 48 games, then dismiss his "small sample" size shooting for Dallas over 94 games? Seriously?

Also want to know what Dinwiddie was shooting prior to coming to Dallas, where everyone was trashing his acquisition like you are now? The fact we have better options now makes this an even better pick up. He's easily best positioned to replicate some of what Luka or Kyrie do when one or both are out. And should get limited minutes otherwise. Would be an excellent low risk pickup.

To be fair, Dinwiddie has been a bad 3 point shooter his entire career other than his stint in Dallas.  Its a much bigger sample size than his 94 games here.  It seems clear there was some Luka effect, but I don't think it wise to expect him to shoot anywhere near what he did last time he was here.

[F Gump]

To be fair, Dinwiddie has been a bad 3 point shooter his entire career other than his stint in Dallas.  Its a much bigger sample size than his 94 games here.  It seems clear there was some Luka effect, but I don't think it wise to expect him to shoot anywhere near what he did last time he was here.

There's 2 ways to look at this. One is your pov here, but there may be a better one to consider.

It's clear that SD's shooting pcts have not been good this season.

But I find it interesting -- and perhaps very informative -- that SD changed teams mid-season two different times. In both of those seasons, he played much of the season with Dallas, and then with another team.

Both of those times, his shooting percentages were way better in Dallas, and way worse on the other team. Same player. Same season. But way different shooter in Dallas. And each of those non-Dallas stints looked alike, and also look like his season in BKN this year. Look it up, the data on his shooting says he is a completely different player in Dallas. 

If I'm not mistaken, there was also a big difference in how he was used in WAS and BKN. In those places, wasn't he the PRIMARY ball-handler, initiating the offense every time down? Whereas, in Dallas, he played mostly off the ball, but with the opportunity to handle the ball and attack at times as needed. Is that pointing to a different explanation as to why he has such different results as a Mav?  - it's not luck, or a bad player blooming then regressing, but rather being used in a way that better suits his skills.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

As much as I dislike the PJ Washington trade, I like the Gafford move.  We have been a much better team this season when Lively is in the game.  What I really wanted was a Lively clone.  Gafford is pretty close to that.  He'll provide similar rim protection, rebounding and elite finishing at the rim as Lively.  He immediately becomes one of the league's best backup bigs.  I like his contract.  I like his effort on defense.  I think he'll love playing with Luka.

When everyone is healthy, this will give us a bench of THJ, Gafford, Exum, DJJ and Kleber.  That is one of the best benches in the NBA.

I think the Gafford acquisition was a winning move and makes us the favorite for the 6th spot in the West.  I think a Booker or Durant injury would give us good shot at 5th.  Overall, I think today was a decent day.  I just can't get over the top-2 protected pick for PJ Washington.  I can't wait to see Gafford play with Luka and Kyrie though.

Not cool wishing injuries on someone. You wouldn't want someone saying the same for your team or players. They could get a higher seed than where they are now, but the West is a bloodbath. Plenty of good teams you have to battle.

[donzingis38]

There has to be something going on with Dinwiddie and the Mavs. I would love a reunion. Can't forget about his game 7 performance against the Suns.

[mvossman]

There's 2 ways to look at this. One is your pov here, but there may be a better one to consider.

It's clear that SD's shooting pcts have not been good this season.

But I find it interesting -- and perhaps very informative -- that SD changed teams mid-season two different times. In both of those seasons, he played much of the season with Dallas, and then with another team.

Both of those times, his shooting percentages were way better in Dallas, and way worse on the other team. Same player. Same season. But way different shooter in Dallas. And each of those non-Dallas stints looked alike, and also look like his season in BKN this year. Look it up, the data on his shooting says he is a completely different player in Dallas. 

If I'm not mistaken, there was also a big difference in how he was used in WAS and BKN. In those places, wasn't he the PRIMARY ball-handler, initiating the offense every time down? Whereas, in Dallas, he played mostly off the ball, but with the opportunity to handle the ball and attack at times as needed. Is that pointing to a different explanation as to why he has such different results as a Mav?  - it's not luck, or a bad player blooming then regressing, but rather being used in a way that better suits his skills.

To be clear, I was responding to a post that was complaining about sample size regarding his shooting and merely pointing out that the sample is quite large.  I don't disagree with your overall premise, but the guy has a career 3 point shooting percentage of 33 including his time in Dallas.  While its reasonable to expect it to be higher in Dallas, I think it unlikely he will shoot over 40% like he did previously if he returns.

[surfpuckmd]

Not cool wishing injuries on someone. You wouldn't want someone saying the same for your team or players. They could get a higher seed than where they are now, but the West is a bloodbath. Plenty of good teams you have to battle.

Not cool to scold someone for something they didn't actually say.

My point was that we are unlikely to finish in the top 5 in the West.  

The Suns are a really loaded team and they're playing well.  I don't think we'll catch them unless they have some injuries.  That's not wishing injuries on anyone.  It's just a caveat.

[surfpuckmd]

I heard similar talk when we traded for Spencer Dinwiddie. I get we didn't give up a FRP, but people trashed Dinwiddie.

Big similarities between the two is that by every single report, PJ Washington is the consummate pro and great in the locker room. Those types of players can still get jaded when playing for a team as trash as the Hornets, but also exactly the type of player who will rejuvenate performance wise when they get put onto a good team, because that professionalism will carry them. The skillset and talent is obviously there as you said, given what he showed his first three years. It's the guys who are poor pros with ego issues that have issues no matter what situation they are in. Maybe it won't work, but I think that bit of information is important to note for how he could perform coming here.

It's the price of player that has to be considered.  We traded Porzingis for Dinwiddie and Bertans.  That was one of the most shocking trades in the NBA in the last 10 years.  It remains incredible that we got so little for Porzingis who was actually playing well for us when we dealt him.

Dinwiddie has been a useful player for a long time. He was just never near the level of Porzingis. The fact that we also ate the Bertans contract and gave up a 2nd-rounder made the entire deal pitiful.  

PJ Washington has the potential to revert to being a winning player.  He's been bad this season though.  2024 PJ Washington isn't worth a top-2 protected 2027 1st.  If we obtained him for our two 2nd-round picks, I'd like the deal.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Speaking of Dinwiddie


Brad Townsend] Kidd reacts to the trades. Freudian slip when he asked for patience and said “anytime you add two players, maybe three” . . . ?