Trade & FA 2024-25:

[BigDirk41]

I totally agree on this one as long as a hypothetical herb Jones trade doesn't cost our 25' pick, so we can tank the rest of the season and get better prepared for the next season with another excellent rookie (lively caliber hopefully) from the 25' class that's said to be so stacked. we ain't winning the championship this season anyway and luka ain't even qualified for the considerations of any personal honors because he misses too many games (like Embiid of last season in some way). i'm not sure if herb is affordable for us though, even an injured herb Jones is probably still too expensive and I don't think a package featuring gafford would be enough, without giving up those invaluable picks.

Jones will absolutely involve our 25 #1 and I'm perfectly fine with that. It costs to get difference makers and he's elite as a wing defender. Sign me up.

[LukaMVP]

there's no guarantee whether herb will ever come back the same player he was from a major injury. trading a valuable 25 pick plus some more assets for an injured player who's probably not available for the rest of the season is a bit too risky imho. if we're to look forward to the next season then why not hold the pick till draft night?

[BigDirk41]

there's no guarantee whether herb will ever come back the same player he was from a major injury. trading a valuable 25 pick plus some more assets for an injured player who's probably not available for the rest of the season is a bit too risky imho. if we're to look forward to the next season then why not hold the pick till draft night?

I don't see how his injury is a big deal long term. It's not his shooting shoulder. If he's available for our #1, the Mavs won't hold on to that pick. They'll pull the trigger. He should return before the end of the season and once he shows he's healthy, the price goes up. That's why you don't wait imo. It's not possible to acquire him without that pick and this team is built to win now. He is more important than a player that might take 2-3 years to develop. I will be highly surprised if we have our #1 pick after the trade deadline personally, but we'll see. That's why the trade deadline is so fun.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

I'd only be in favor of a Gafford trade when the player coming back is a PF-C type.
Mainly because I do not trust DLive to be completely healthy if and when the Mavs reach the play-offs.
Mavs need a BIG if Gafford is on the way out.

That means the likes of Jalen Smith.

Jalen Smith isn't the lob threat our current two Cs are, but he is still a lob target.
Jalen Smith isn't prime Maxi who can move his feet and stay with wings, and would still probably be a target for an offense which abuses slower Cs, but compared to Gafford, Jalen Smith is quicker.
Jalen Smith isn't averaging a block per game, but he isn't inept at that end.
Jalen Smith averages 5 rebounds a game in 15 mins of play. Still not a good rebounder for a big, but he does shoot from the outside some as opposed to Gaff who averages a rebound better while playing close to the basket.


And lastly, Jalen Smith can shoot free throws. The Mavs would need that type of big in close games.

NOTE: I am not opposed too if the Mavs retain Gafford and just add Smith via a package of Hardy and Maxi and some second round pick, or any combo of mix and match options of trade fillers. Smith plays better at C, but he can play PF.

[SleepingHero]

So in my lack of sleep stupor from being overworked, I had a somewhat of a radical trade idea that I believe fills exactly what the Mavs are looking for.

We're all well aware by now on the trade limitations any hypothetical trade can have regarding salary, fit, etc. Mavs want an elite perimeter defender, but they also need a solid backup 4 that can stretch the court, AND if they were to trade for said perimeter defender, Gafford is most likely on his way out. And if Gafford is on his way out, then they need a new backup center as well.

Well the one name I was scouring then league that actually fills ALL those things and makes sense to me is Draymond Green. He is still an elite perimeter defender. He is a fantastic small ball 5 that can protect the rim. He has somehow found his shot again and can hit a 3. He can distribute the ball well in the post. He has great chemistry already with Klay and is one of the few dudes that is very cool with Luka.

A Maxi+Gafford for Green deal works money wise. Mavs get their backup 4, 5, and elite perimeter defender in 1 move with Green. Plus the fact we just hired the former Warriors PBO for the last 15 years doesn't hurt either.

I don't know, is this a pipedream? Sure. But it does make a lot of sense to me on paper.

[F Gump]

Jalen Smith at 8.5M (and 2 more years that are even bigger) doesn't appeal to me financially at all. He's very meh. And I don't think he would interest the Mavs as a solution, because the skill package the Mavs expect from their C is "defender and rim protector" and imo he's a significant step down in both areas from what the Mavs already have, and would want.

Draymond is an interesting name, and offers some interesting skills on the defensive end that could work, but on offense he's not really a floor spacer or a rim-runner, and the Mavs don't seem built for him to dominate the ball, so hard to see the fit. And being committed to that big contract scares me in his late 30s.

[LukaMVP]

Smith may be seen as a gafford replacement and he would be a decent backup C playing 15-20 min per game when lively is healthy. gafford is good and it's somewhat a waste of talent to only play him as lively's backup imho. of course it would be great to have them both but when you want some significant upgrade at the wing you have to give up some talent of similar value (knowing we don't have that many picks).

[Knutsen]

Bulls are putting Patrick Williams on the trade market because he couldn’t do what the training staff wanted from him. He‘s in the first year of a 5 years 90 million contract.

Any interest of taking a flyer on him at that prize? I haven’t seen enough of him and the Bulls to have an opinion.

[KillerLeft]

Bulls are putting Patrick Williams on the trade market because he couldn’t do what the training staff wanted from him. He‘s in the first year of a 5 years 90 million contract.

Any interest of taking a flyer on him at that prize? I haven’t seen enough of him and the Bulls to have an opinion.

None from me. He gets talked about around here at times because of his elite combo of physical attributes, but the reality is that he is a total bust and waste of a #4 pick. Everyone I've ever heard talk about him, from buddies who watch the Bulls closely to some of the better national NBA followers who actually watch and understand the sport (not talking heads, but the actual basketball junkies) has consistently marveled at how little he has progressed since being drafted, how utterly undeveloped his skill set is, and how much of a total disappoint he has been. I was shocked when Chicago gave him that latest contract, honestly, and would want no part of it. 

Typing this with a straight face: I honestly think O-Max might be just as good, if not better, RIGHT NOW.

[Chicagojk]

Bulls are putting Patrick Williams on the trade market because he couldn’t do what the training staff wanted from him. He‘s in the first year of a 5 years 90 million contract.

Any interest of taking a flyer on him at that prize? I haven’t seen enough of him and the Bulls to have an opinion.

Former # 4 pick in the draft.  Still 23 years old.  He looks the part and the type of prototype we are looking for.   He has regressed though.  Bulls fans are done with them.  They say he was set up to really prove he could do the role.   They had decent guard play this year but just hasn't produced.   He also hasn't rebounded to his height/athleticism says you should.  

It probably wouldn't take a lot to get him in a trade (no firsts), but I have trouble seeing a trade that works for Dallas.  In addition, paying him 18 million a year for the next 4 when you have beter players coming up could be an issue.

I do wonder what happens to him.  Is he a guy who moves and proves what he has been.  Or does he get a new chance and find a role that is suitable for him?

I noticed Charlotte fans are getting frustrated with Josh Green.  Just in time for his 8 three point game in his first game against Dallas.

[KillerLeft]

I noticed Charlotte fans are getting frustrated with Josh Green.

He's a frustrating player.

[SleepingHero]

Draymond is an interesting name, and offers some interesting skills on the defensive end that could work, but on offense he's not really a floor spacer or a rim-runner, and the Mavs don't seem built for him to dominate the ball, so hard to see the fit. And being committed to that big contract scares me in his late 30s.

I don't think he'd have to dominate the ball anymore than say what Naji currently does when he's on the court. But the fact that he could take the ball up and initiate the offense fits the vision the current FO has of targeting versatile 2-way players. And he's one of the few guys currently in the league that could potentially cover every single thing we're looking for from a backup big since he can play the 4, 5, AND guard perimeter guys. 

The contract commitment is scary I agree, but if we're getting off of Maxi's deal too I think it's much more stomachable.

[KillerLeft]

The big thing, to me, anytime anyone brings up Green is...what makes us think he's going to get traded? There was a time he was sort of "on the outs" with GS, sure, but then he got his contract. Since then, it has seemed to me that all parties have been focused on putting one more championship contending roster together around Curry and Green at its core. I don't know how possible that is, but I always feel like they view Green as a foundational "one of the best Warriors of all time" player. I think he retires a Warrior, probably.

What am I missing? Was there some rumor that they're shopping him?

[JamesConway912]

I’m out on Draymond. Very hard to find a spot that suits his skills here with Luka and Kyrie around.

I would not be surprised to see them revisit the Andrew Wiggins-conversations. There were a lot of rumors about him and he’d be pretty easy to plug in and play style-wise. Strong season from him so far and the Mavs interest over the years is well sourced. 

Btw: Despite the sad personal circumstances he played over 70+ games last year. Significantly more than for instance Kyrie or Lively last season but that was a constant point of criticism about Wiggins around here.

[Chicagojk]

The big thing, to me, anytime anyone brings up Green is...what makes us think he's going to get traded? There was a time he was sort of "on the outs" with GS, sure, but then he got his contract. Since then, it has seemed to me that all parties have been focused on putting one more championship contending roster together around Curry and Green at its core. I don't know how possible that is, but I always feel like they view Green as a foundational "one of the best Warriors of all time" player. I think he retires a Warrior, probably.

What am I missing? Was there some rumor that they're shopping him?

Yeah, everything GS is doing is hoping to piece together one more run with Steph, not break it up.  Even a les than prime Green would be perfect here.  Outside of putting his personality into the mix.  While he is not an all time defender anymore, he would still be our best defender.  On offense he would allow Kyrie to play more off ball which he prefers.  

When GS does discuss moving him, it will probably mean you don’t want him anymore.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Neither Draymond or Patrick Williams fit salary wise for what they'd be providing.

[mvossman]

Jalen Smith at 8.5M (and 2 more years that are even bigger) doesn't appeal to me financially at all. He's very meh. And I don't think he would interest the Mavs as a solution, because the skill package the Mavs expect from their C is "defender and rim protector" and imo he's a significant step down in both areas from what the Mavs already have, and would want.

Draymond is an interesting name, and offers some interesting skills on the defensive end that could work, but on offense he's not really a floor spacer or a rim-runner, and the Mavs don't seem built for him to dominate the ball, so hard to see the fit. And being committed to that big contract scares me in his late 30s.

Jalen Smith is a better defensive rebounder than Gafford, better defender in space and obviously a better floor spacer.  He does not fit the traditional rim protector/runner that Gafford does, but he does address a lot of the flaws we have seen with Gafford.  If he is quick enough to handle the backup 4 spot as well, then I would be more than happy to trade in Gafford 13.5 and Maxi 11 for Jalen 8.5.

Draymond would fit a lot of needs for this team.  He would be perfect running the point when Luka is not on the court.  I was going to comment that I don't know how Luka and Draymond coexist on the court, but he is actually shooting over 36% from 3 these last two seasons on decent volume.  Don't really think he is for sale.  Maybe Klay can put a buzz in his ear.

[mvossman]

I don't think he'd have to dominate the ball anymore than say what Naji currently does when he's on the court. But the fact that he could take the ball up and initiate the offense fits the vision the current FO has of targeting versatile 2-way players. And he's one of the few guys currently in the league that could potentially cover every single thing we're looking for from a backup big since he can play the 4, 5, AND guard perimeter guys. 

The contract commitment is scary I agree, but if we're getting off of Maxi's deal too I think it's much more stomachable.

Not just Maxi, we could get off Gafford as well.  As others have said, the biggest issue is that he is not currently on the market.

[mvossman]

I’m out on Draymond. Very hard to find a spot that suits his skills here with Luka and Kyrie around.

I would not be surprised to see them revisit the Andrew Wiggins-conversations. There were a lot of rumors about him and he’d be pretty easy to plug in and play style-wise. Strong season from him so far and the Mavs interest over the years is well sourced. 

Btw: Despite the sad personal circumstances he played over 70+ games last year. Significantly more than for instance Kyrie or Lively last season but that was a constant point of criticism about Wiggins around here.

I actually think the Kyrie/Draymond is a good fit on the court.  I think Kyrie prefers to play off ball.  And now that Draymond can actually hit an occasional 3, he is not completely useless on the court with Luka.

Wiggins has the same trade issues as Collins and he doesn't fill in the holes of the guys we have been talking about sending out (Maxi and Gafford).  I don't see that he is enough of an upgrade over our existing wing rotation to warrant spending 2 to 3 times more than we are on any of those guys.

[MAVS-SLO]

None from me. He gets talked about around here at times because of his elite combo of physical attributes, but the reality is that he is a total bust and waste of a #4 pick. Everyone I've ever heard talk about him, from buddies who watch the Bulls closely to some of the better national NBA followers who actually watch and understand the sport (not talking heads, but the actual basketball junkies) has consistently marveled at how little he has progressed since being drafted, how utterly undeveloped his skill set is, and how much of a total disappoint he has been. I was shocked when Chicago gave him that latest contract, honestly, and would want no part of it. 

Typing this with a straight face: I honestly think O-Max might be just as good, if not better, RIGHT NOW.

He is the waste of 4 pick, but i think he can be usefull player for us. He clearly isn't a ''new Kawhi'', but i think he can become a similar player to Jerami Grant.

He clearly isn't a Herb Jones level of player, but if his price is only Kleber + Powell + Hardy/Exum (and maybe 2 rp) that is the deal i would do it. Just watching the games and see that those guys basically are just on the payroll here and are mostly getting DNP is enough to consider the deal.

And that could also mean that all core players are staying here.

He is a little bit overpaid for his production, but if he can turn into Jeremy Grant type of player that deal wouldn't look so bad.

E: After DFS trade, there is even less players in that range on the market...