Roster for this year

[yahyes]

Just a hypothetical. But with Fish saying Durant stuff like this. It can mean Joakim Noah wouldn't be a bad idea to think about starting at center. Fish saying that could be hot air. But Durant and a Joakim Noah added here sounds like a dream.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by spreedom

I'm going to be PISSED if we pass up a day-one meeting with Dwight because we're chasing a KD/LeBron

Pretty much this. I understand the mindset of going after a generational talent when they hit the open market simply because it does not happen often, but this would be borderline retarded IMO. The Mavs should not do anything in regards to KD outside of the due diligence phone call to his agent. If we book some date on the KD tour and put on the dog and pony show I'm going to be upset though.

Even if all free agents say they will wait until KD signs somewhere, the proverbial first domino, there is something to be said for being the first guy on the doorstep to a free agent(we actually have a shot at). Every team wants KD, and being on KD's doorstep begging him to date us is not giving us a leg up on the other suitors. Being on the doorstep of a guy like Dwight, or someone else for that matter, can give you a leg up. You have to offer something the other teams won't or can't. It was not just Parsons butterfly personality that got DJ to waiver and want to come here. It was an entire organization offering him a role that nobody else in the NBA was willing to do for him. The NBA had decided DJ is "this" type of player who is not and cannot be a focal point and the Mavs swooped in and offered him a role/opportunity that nobody else did and more importantly made him feel like he was the prettiest girl in the room. And it wasn't until the entire Clippers organization decided to also tell him he was pretty that he ultimately stayed and that only worked because he clearly did not want the expanded role, he just wanted the other pretty girls on the Clippers(BG/CP3/Doc) to tell him he was also pretty. That same thing will not work with KD because he alrdy knows how pretty he is and he wants a ring.

--Edit--
I would like to be the first guy on the doorstep telling someone else how pretty they are than the most popular girl in school KD/Lebron.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

The problem with all of us talking about Dwight is that I haven't seen any evidence recently that the Mavs even want him. If the Mavs aren't willing to offer a starting salary of at least 20 mil a season, then there is no point in having a meeting at all.

The KD stuff is all smoke and mirrors IMO. I actually think they might forego another DAJ drama and try to put together a good team without trying to add a star.

[sefant77]

I prefer paying Biyombo 15 million than Dwight 10 million. At least Biyombo is always playing hard.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by sefant77

I prefer paying Biyombo 15 million than Dwight 10 million. At least Biyombo is always playing hard.

Wait, so you'd rather pay a career backup $15M (which I think is above his market value) than pay Dwight $10M, which is certainly going to be less than half of his market value? That is insane.

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by sefant77

I prefer paying Biyombo 15 million than Dwight 10 million. At least Biyombo is always playing hard.

Bad idea.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by spreedom

I'm going to be PISSED if we pass up a day-one meeting with Dwight because we're chasing a KD/LeBron

When we choose to court free agents, we have to be able to offer them a situation that is better for them than what they are currently in.

20 teams are going to have space for at least one max deal this summer... that's the market we have to compete with.

The reason Dwight makes so much sense here is ... offering Dwight a big offensive role ... a near-max contract, and a team environment

I don't see what kind of pitch we make to LeBron or KD that improves their current situations.

Dwight is just a much better player than Zaza.

... if our choices are Felton at $6M per year or Deron at $10M, I'm taking Felton.

Amen! Agree 1000% ... preach it ... all of that stuff! And for the record, my "near-max" contract is ~$20 million give or take a couple. His actually max is right around $31 million.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Wait, so you'd rather pay a career backup $15M (which I think is above his market value) than pay Dwight $10M, which is certainly going to be less than half of his market value? That is insane.

Where is this nonsense that the Mavs are going to offer Dwight 10 million a year coming from? Mike Fisher? Really? That sounds like the most made up thing I've heard with regards to the FO.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Every team wants KD, and being on KD's doorstep begging him to date us is not giving us a leg up on the other suitors. Being on the doorstep of a guy like Dwight, or someone else for that matter, can give you a leg up.

I don't see there being many teams that KD would actually consider. GSW and SAS for obvious reasons. Possibly LAL due to history and weather, including MIA with the weather. Outside of those, I don't see him going anywhere else.

Lebron is not leaving CLE.

There is probably a 95% chance Dwight leaves Houston and it's completely up in the air where he goes. He could sign somewhere purely for money reasons with a full max. Or he could come here for 1/3 less to play with his buddy CP. He could even go back to Orlando for whatever they offer. The point is that if we are NOT on his doorstep day one, we take the chance of giving the impression we really do not care. If that happens, the FO better hit on some hail marry.

[FreshJive]

"sources tell DB.com that Howard-can expect to be offered somewhere in the range of $10 mil a year, should he remain on the post-July 1 shelf long enough to be forced to consider such a contract.."

This is supposedly a direct quote from the story. You all have been Mavs fans long enough to know that Fish wouldn't report it if he thought Cuban would not approve.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

"sources tell DB.com that Howard-can expect to be offered somewhere in the range of $10 mil a year, should he remain on the post-July 1 shelf long enough to be forced to consider such a contract.."

[Underdog]

The FO wants the players they can't get and don't want the players they can get... Awesome.

[yahyes]

Mavs have a better shot than 2013. Primarily because harden and Howard never got along. He even was being subliminal about it in that interview on TNT last week. We can all assume the numbers. But it looks like Donnie's first call is going to be Howard. Second would be Parsons. My guess is, if Howard agrees to sign with Dallas. Parsons will comeback.

[EricaLubarsky]

Mavs regular season
26th in Reb%

Mavs playoffs
16th in Reb% (dead last)

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Mavs regular season
26th in Reb%

Mavs playoffs
16th in Reb% (dead last)

And if Williams, Matthews, Parsons, and Dirk are still starters next season, then that likely won't change no matter who the center is.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

"sources tell DB.com that Howard-can expect to be offered somewhere in the range of $10 mil a year"

Let's sell them all on that and make a super team ourselves! Can we just offer $10 million each to Conley, Durant, Dwight, and then have Parson come off the bench? We would be stacked!

Conley / JJB / Harris
Matthews / Anderson
Durant / Parsons
Dirk / Powell / Evans
Dwight / Mejri

....

Seriously, he should be embarrassed for reporting that kind of information.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

And if Williams, Matthews, Parsons, and Dirk are still starters next season, then that likely won't change no matter who the center is.

We could have Shaq at Center and it wouldn't matter if we play 3 pg's at the same time. With or without Dwight we need a roster shakeup at the small guard position. And hopefully Anderson will continue to get more minutes and we stop seeing Wes on the floor at the 3 with 2 midgets manning the 1 and 2. Especially at moments when we have CP at the 4(if he's back).

[MavzMan]

Between the SG and SF positions, there are 96 minutes. Anderson can fill in as backup to either of those positions. So split time between Matthews/Parsons/Anderson, no reason not to have each get 30+ minutes at those two positions alone.

As for PG, it's an even weaker FA class this year than other positions. I see us going with one of Jeremy Lin, DWill, or Felton. None of them being great, but serviceable for this year.

[BigDog63]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

"sources tell DB.com that Howard-can expect to be offered somewhere in the range of $10 mil a year, should he remain on the post-July 1 shelf long enough to be forced to consider such a contract.."

This is supposedly a direct quote from the story. You all have been Mavs fans long enough to know that Fish wouldn't report it if he thought Cuban would not approve.

That ain't happening. Somebody will offer Howard a lot more than that. He can opt-in at Houston and receive over $23M. He wants a long term deal, but he isn't go to take anything that low, and with the greatly expanded cap, he won't need to. I would expect double that. So, if this is the Mavs strategy, then they aren't planning on getting Howard, but will take him as a gift if available.

Originally Posted by devinharriswillstart

And if Williams, Matthews, Parsons, and Dirk are still starters next season, then that likely won't change no matter who the center is.

I get your point, but there is a domino effect too. A solid rebounding center will enable everyone else to rebound better as well. A solid defensive center would do the same, and ideally we get someone who is both.

Howard fits that bill, hence his value here.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

And if Williams, Matthews, Parsons, and Dirk are still starters next season, then that likely won't change no matter who the center is.

I think adding Dwight would almost immediately turn us into an average rebounding team... Especially if we see a lot more Simba as our 6th man and a lot fewer minutes for the Barea/Harris tandem.

I feel like Deron/Wes/Chandler/Dirk/Dwight SHOULD be able to hold its own on the boards against most teams.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Zaza was sucking down rebounds in the first half of the season, and we still weren't a good rebounding team. He averaged 11.7 rebounds per game in December and January, so I don't think just upgrading center will have a huge impact.

I do agree about Anderson getting more minutes helping. How many more minutes and how big of a role he has going forward is still very much up in the air.

[yahyes]

It's looking like Howard is officially done with houston. There's this new player interview where he points out how much of a ball hog harden is basically. Which actually makes me laugh, maybe he's trying to warm up to Mavs fans? The guy can get a lot of help from Carlisle to be the all star again like he used to be. Donnie has got to work out some good offer best for both sides.

[tap2390]

With Dave Joerger out in Memphis, and Chris Wallace reportedly next, Mavs should be recruiting Mike Conley and Dwight hard this offseason.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Zaza was sucking down rebounds in the first half of the season, and we still weren't a good rebounding team. He averaged 11.7 rebounds per game in December and January, so I don't think just upgrading center will have a huge impact.

Let's not use the phrase "just upgrading center" here... We're talking about swapping out a career backup whose career-best season is *several* rungs below Wright's worst. Dwight is certainly past his prime, but he's literally twice the player now as Zaza had ever been. It's trading a guy who was a legit starter for about four months out of his entire career for a first ballot Hall of Fame center who is absolutely still a game-changer in the right environment. I mean seriously, slightly washed-up Dwight is at worst the 4th best center in the entire league today. Zero reason why this franchise, which has maybe the weakest-quality centers in its history, should not be rolling out the red carpet in July 11st.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by yahyes

There's this new player interview where he points out how much of a ball hog harden is basically. Which actually makes me laugh, maybe he's trying to warm up to Mavs fans?

I'm not sure why Howard's view of Harden ties directly to the Mavs fan. The entire world knows Harden is a ball hog and if anything, to this point Howard has been relatively classy in handling those types of questions. I don't believe he has come out and said "Harden is ball hog". He's does a LOT of beating around the bush and dropped enough hints to let us know his thoughts without calling out a still current teammate.

Originally Posted by tap2390

With Dave Joerger out in Memphis, and Chris Wallace reportedly next, Mavs should be recruiting Mike Conley and Dwight hard this offseason.

I actually had to look up who Dave and Chris are. Why would they be forcing Conley out of Memphis? As far as I can tell, it's still a competitive team, it's entirely his team now, and he will obviously get a full max contract from them. There is zero reason for him to leave.

[tap2390]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

I actually had to look up who Dave and Chris are. Why would they be forcing Conley out of Memphis? As far as I can tell, it's still a competitive team, it's entirely his team now, and he will obviously get a full max contract from them. There is zero reason for him to leave.

To clarify I don't think they're forcing Conley out, I think they're the ones being forced out. Wallace just fired Joerger, and is on the hot seat himself.

Just doesn't bode well for stability, especially since Joerger is a very capable coach who overachieved all things considered. Most will say this doesn't affect Conley's decision, I think if anyone understands the value of solid coaching it's a veteran point guard.

[MavzMan]

Yeah, I see your point and like you said, I don't think that will affect Conley's decision ... much. Coaches come, coaches go. Nature of the business whether it's right or wrong. Memphis is actually in a really good position without much dead weight next season. They have Gasol signed through 2020. Zebo is only at $10 mill next season then a free agent. They could easily keep Conley at a max and add 2 or 3 very solid pieces again this off season.

[MavzMan]

Bradley Beal is saying either he gets max money from Washington or he'll go somewhere else. His max will be $23 million. Last season stats (out of 55 games):

17.4 pts, 44.9 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 76.7 FT%, 3.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.0 stl, 2.0 tov

Also, games played his total of four season is 56, 73, 63, and 55 so his injury track record is not good either.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

Bradley Beal is saying either he gets max money from Washington or he'll go somewhere else. His max will be $23 million. Last season stats (out of 55 games):

17.4 pts, 44.9 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 76.7 FT%, 3.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.0 stl, 2.0 tov

Also, games played his total of four season is 56, 73, 63, and 55 so his injury track record is not good either.

Not sure why we'd need Beal unless we traded Wes (who I certainly don't want to see at SF again)... Also, I'm not a fan of throwing big money at players who can't stay healthy, especially guards.

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

Bradley Beal is saying either he gets max money from Washington or he'll go somewhere else. His max will be $23 million. Last season stats (out of 55 games):

17.4 pts, 44.9 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 76.7 FT%, 3.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.0 stl, 2.0 tov

Also, games played his total of four season is 56, 73, 63, and 55 so his injury track record is not good either.

Pass. He's going back to the Wizards. I'd rather the Mavs put in max money for a big this summer. No need to try and replace Matthews that quick after 1 season...

[EricaLubarsky]

Beal is not worth the max. Even with hyper inflation this year, I doubt he gets 20/yr

[Underdog]

@calvinwatkins: Last week a NBA exec was asked about Chandler Parsons possibly signing with his team in FA, he pointed to his knee. "Nope."

[yahyes]

So far on Howard rumors it looks like the magic are mostly going to try talking to him the most. Which is a better opportunity for Donnie to really have a good chance this summer. Especially if it's about a win now kind of plan the next 3 years. Magic still are too far behind as far as try to win it now. Can't get that giddy about Frank Vogel...

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Beal is not worth the max. Even with hyper inflation this year, I doubt he gets 20/yr

I swear everybody thinks they are worth max. Heck to the no on bradley beal. Insane amount of money for an above avg player when healthy.

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@calvinwatkins: Last week a NBA exec was asked about Chandler Parsons possibly signing with his team in FA, he pointed to his knee. "Nope."

Which means Parsons should take at less if the Mavs can sign Howard. Mavs still need him. Don't know the numbers yet.

[Thebo]

Originally Posted by yahyes

So far on Howard rumors it looks like the magic are mostly going to try talking to him the most. Which is a better opportunity for Donnie to really have a good chance this summer. Especially if it's about a win now kind of plan the next 3 years. Magic still are too far behind as far as try to win it now. Can't get that giddy about Frank Vogel...

In terms of joining a competitive team, I honestly think that only Pacers are in the running besides Mavs. And this is assuming Mahinmi won't ask too much this summer.

It is actually hard to see Howard joining anywhere but Dallas or Indiana. Most competitive teams that perhaps have cap space, already have a decent center. All teams that are able to throw max at him, are suspects to even make playoffs, let alone compete.

Pacers offer nice team-up with Paul George, young superstar who is willing to pass the ball. The coaching change doesn't bode well however.

Any other candidates for Howard?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@calvinwatkins: Last week a NBA exec was asked about Chandler Parsons possibly signing with his team in FA, he pointed to his knee. "Nope."

So some random NBA exec was asked a question last week about Chandler Parsons staying with the Mavs? That doesn't sound vague or anything.

[spreedom]

I'd say Portland, Boston, and Charlotte should be in that mix as well. I could see any of those teams in the conference finals if they add Dwight and mostly leave the rest of their roster alone. Someone terrifying like San Antonio could swoop in too. He's not really their style, but the thought of Poppovich coaching a pissed off, motivated Dwight Howard gives me the willies.

No, not the wet willies, Dwight...

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Beal is not worth the max. Even with hyper inflation this year, I doubt he gets 20/yr

Originally Posted by Melonhead

I swear everybody thinks they are worth max. Heck to the no on bradley beal. Insane amount of money for an above avg player when healthy.

This was actually my entire point. With 2/3 of the league having max contract cap space, it is highly likely that he will get a max offer from someone else if Washington doesn't. This year will be the worst off season ever on player contract value. Teams are now FORCED to spend money up to 90% of the cap. That wasn't the case just a few years ago. Pair that with the massive raise in salary cap and you get The Perfect Storm of Free Agency.

Originally Posted by Thebo

It is actually hard to see Howard joining anywhere but Dallas or Indiana. Most competitive teams that perhaps have cap space, already have a decent center. All teams that are able to throw max at him, are suspects to even make playoffs, let alone compete.

I can see Howard going anywhere honestly. Would you work for a crappy company for 3-5 years for an extra $10 million per year? I have no problem with him going somewhere for more money, 99.99% of the players have done it. Are Dirk and Duncan really the only two that have really taken less in order for their teams to try to succeed?

As for Orlando, I've got to wonder if he considers that to be his hometown team and wouldn't mind coming back to finish his career there.

So again, I can see him going somewhere to compete (like Dallas), sign somewhere that is really good (SAS?), sign hometown (ORL), or just sign somewhere for max/near-max money (2/3 of the league).

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by Thebo

In terms of joining a competitive team, I honestly think that only Pacers are in the running besides Mavs. And this is assuming Mahinmi won't ask too much this summer.

It is actually hard to see Howard joining anywhere but Dallas or Indiana. Most competitive teams that perhaps have cap space, already have a decent center. All teams that are able to throw max at him, are suspects to even make playoffs, let alone compete.

Pacers offer nice team-up with Paul George, young superstar who is willing to pass the ball. The coaching change doesn't bode well however.

Any other candidates for Howard?

Atlanta?