Official offseason 2013-2014 thread

[OneLove22]

Originally Posted by MavsFanTillDeath

marion - No
carter - Yes

Why would we trade either of these guys for Mike Miller? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by OneLove22

Why would we trade either of these guys for Mike Miller? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

We wouldn't... Mike Miller would be a replacement for one of those guys if we traded them for someone else - presumably a center.

[backb0ard]

Mike Miller as Peja and Kleiza as Brian Cardinal. Great plan, right?

[MavsFTR]

Good ol Cuban essentially saying we desperately wanted Dwightm but since we didn't get him we're better off!

"On where things are now with the two-year plan:

Cuban: "I think we’ve put ourselves in a spot where we’re in a better spot than we were at if we got just the one max-out deal. I think it’d be better shorter term and longer term. I don’t want to make that sound the wrong way. I think we’ll be better this year because we added five good players or more." "

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/maver...te-of-the-mavs

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by MavsFTR

Good ol Cuban essentially saying we desperately wanted Dwightm but since we didn't get him we're better off!

"On where things are now with the two-year plan:

Cuban: "I think we’ve put ourselves in a spot where we’re in a better spot than we were at if we got just the one max-out deal. I think it’d be better shorter term and longer term. I don’t want to make that sound the wrong way. I think we’ll be better this year because we added five good players or more." "

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/maver...te-of-the-mavs

It does make me wonder what kind of team we could have built with Dwight, dirk, Marion and no cap space. Would we have pencilled Larkin in and then started Mekel after the injury? Harris with the mini mle? Brought collison back?

[mavs777]

It's called spin, Cuban knows they are better off with Dwight but there isn't a reason to admit that to the fan base, no problem with that.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by MavsFTR

Good ol Cuban essentially saying we desperately wanted Dwightm but since we didn't get him we're better off!

"On where things are now with the two-year plan:

Cuban: "I think we’ve put ourselves in a spot where we’re in a better spot than we were at if we got just the one max-out deal. I think it’d be better shorter term and longer term. I don’t want to make that sound the wrong way. I think we’ll be better this year because we added five good players or more." "

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/maver...te-of-the-mavs

C'mon man. I approve of the moves. I'm trying to believe. Bullshit doesn't help.

[rabbitproof]

Just spewing hot bs. said the same thing about rather have flexibility than Deron then was willing wait hostage to Dwight for a week. Actions > words. I wish he could admit failure- it would make his words more believable.

[FreshJive]

The whole reason for breaking up the championship team (I know, no shot, look at the players now!!! even though we only had to re-sign Tyson and JJ to give it one more year) was to go after Deron and Dwight. Now we are better off. We didn't really want those guys. What was the plan again?

[twelli]

I like that Carter and Marion are on the team as for now. I love both those guys even if their production is going to decline.

[Eman]

I keep reading that we are one of the teams after Nate Robinson.....Don't see how he can fit.

I like our lineup now......We will be a good team with many assets to trade to better ourselves.

[twelli]

I love watching the new German player, Schroeder, full of confidence, unselfish, quick and smart, but not good on defense say the experts. Hope he can join Dirk's Mavs some day, would be great to see two Germans who couldn't be more different on the same
team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsqzT18WVMA

[Budapest Maverick]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

The whole reason for breaking up the championship team (I know, no shot, look at the players now!!! even though we only had to re-sign Tyson and JJ to give it one more year) was to go after Deron and Dwight. Now we are better off. We didn't really want those guys. What was the plan again?

Well, we all love Cubes, but he was always a sore loser. He's an ultra-competitive guy, he won't ever admit defeat, and i'm fine with it. It's probably more of a strength, than a weakness. If he would be different, they probably don't assemble that championship roster.

[nowhereman]

PG - Calderon / Mekel / Larkin / Akognon
SG - Ellis / [Harris] / Ellington
SF - Marion / Carter / Crowder
PF - Nowitzki / [Wright]
C - Dalembert / [James]

Leaves open one spot. The frontcourt is way too slim to pray for Odens health, right? We gotta get a guy who can eat some minutes when there's an injury or foul trouble.

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by MavsFTR

Good ol Cuban essentially saying we desperately wanted Dwightm but since we didn't get him we're better off!

"On where things are now with the two-year plan:

Cuban: "I think we’ve put ourselves in a spot where we’re in a better spot than we were at if we got just the one max-out deal. I think it’d be better shorter term and longer term. I don’t want to make that sound the wrong way. I think we’ll be better this year because we added five good players or more." "

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/maver...te-of-the-mavs

/slams heads against a wall

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

PG - Calderon / Mekel / Larkin / Akognon
SG - Ellis / [Harris] / Ellington
SF - Marion / Carter / Crowder
PF - Nowitzki / [Wright]
C - Dalembert / [James]

Leaves open one spot. The frontcourt is way too slim to pray for Odens health, right? We gotta get a guy who can eat some minutes when there's an injury or foul trouble.

Marion's been the backup PF the majority of the time he's been on this team, so he should be listed there.

And Wright is the backup center, at this point.

When you consider that Carter and Crowder need minutes, and will presumably get almost none at SG, you might see Marion playing all of the backup PF minutes, which he hasn't always done.

I think Ledo is your 15th guy right now, and I would bet they'll try to find a more traditional PF to be the emergency front court guy and waive Akognon if they find that guy.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by jthig32

I think Ledo is your 15th guy right now, and I would bet they'll try to find a more traditional PF to be the emergency front court guy and waive Akognon if they find that guy.

Bingo, I was just about to type the same thing... Akognon lacks the upside that Ledo has.

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by rabbitproof

Just spewing hot bs. said the same thing about rather have flexibility than Deron then was willing wait hostage to Dwight for a week. Actions > words. I wish he could admit failure- it would make his words more believable.

That would be really dumb, unless he wants to lose the trust of the fanbase and for the sell out streak to stop. Cuban is just spinning, there is nothing wrong with it, GM's/Owner's have to do it.

[rabbitproof]

Originally Posted by mavs777

That would be really dumb, unless he wants to lose the trust of the fanbase and for the sell out streak to stop. Cuban is just spinning, there is nothing wrong with it, GM's/Owner's have to do it.

I think treating your fanbase like some mindless idiots is really dumb and ensures the loss of trust in your words.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by rabbitproof

I think treating your fanbase like some mindless idiots is really dumb and ensures the loss of trust in your words.

And admitting failure is only going to give petulant sports fans an opportunity to rub it in his face, which isn't any better for his -- or the franchise's -- image.

Spin is the only viable option.

[rabbitproof]

Originally Posted by Underdog

And admitting failure is only going to give petulant sports fans an opportunity to rub it in his face, which isn't any better for his -- or the franchise's -- image.

Spin is the only viable option.

Disagree.

You can say we're making the best of a second case scenario without saying the second case scenario is actually better than the first case scenario (in which case, you look like an idiot for making it the first case scenario anyways and a thick-faced liar for even going there).

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by rabbitproof

Disagree.

You can say we're making the best of a second case scenario without saying the second case scenario is actually better than the first case scenario (in which case, you look like an idiot for making it the first case scenario anyways and a thick-faced liar for even going there).

I lost a lot of trust in and respect for Cuban for his attempted spin. I didn't buy it when he spun missing out on Deron, but it's a slap in the face to try to spin missing out on Dwight.

[rabbitproof]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

I lost a lot of trust in and respect for Cuban for his attempted spin. I didn't buy it when he spun missing out on Deron, but it's a slap in the face to try to spin missing out on Dwight.

Agree.

If flexibility was so superior to Deron, why even go after Dwight?

That was so insulting. To try this again after blatantly going against what he said before.. it's as if we have no memory. He is talking and behaving like a slimy politician right now.



"Everything will be fine, we know what is best, even if what is best five minutes ago is now the worst, move along."

[Eman]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Marion's been the backup PF the majority of the time he's been on this team, so he should be listed there.

And Wright is the backup center, at this point.

When you consider that Carter and Crowder need minutes, and will presumably get almost none at SG, you might see Marion playing all of the backup PF minutes, which he hasn't always done.

I think Ledo is your 15th guy right now, and I would bet they'll try to find a more traditional PF to be the emergency front court guy and waive Akognon if they find that guy.

And LEdo is 6'6", he can play some small forward.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Eman

And LEdo is 6'6", he can play some small forward.

Ledo's not going to be playing anything for the actual Mavs this year. At least, not in games that are in question.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Eman

And LEdo is 6'6", he can play some small forward.

Every time you post, I momentarily think you're the other dude here with a four-letter username that starts with E. Erad or whatever.

Then I realize that you're not, and I'm thankful.

[Skywalker]

Riveting tale

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Riveting tale

Thx!

[purplefrog]

I am very disappointed that the "Cap Space Theory" Cuban espoused, proved to be an inaccurate prediction of organizational (NBA) behavior. That being said, it was a valid view of what "might happen". The MBT certainly took some risks to ensure they'd in a position to take advantage of the presumptive new reality. Taking calculated risks is a good thing! When they go wrong, the proper assessments should be how quickly management reacts to the failure of their strategy. In my view the MBT reacted quickly and followed the plan they stated before free agency began. The plan being offer multiple year contracts to very good (but not elite) players.

The top free agents made their decisions very quickly. Even though Dwight decided a day or so after he met with all viable suitors, the dominos had already begun to fall. I don't see how you can blame the MBT in that regard. After Dwight's decision, Cuban and Donnie focused on the backcourt because that is where there were still very good FAs. In the process they picked up a heady PG who fits in well with Carlisle's system and a dynamic SG who will help relieve the scoring pressure off Dirk. I've never been a Monta Ellis fan, but he is a scorer, he can penetrate the lane, and he shoots a fair number of free throws (at least compared to our SGs from previous years). In short, he compliments Calderon and Dirk very well. In the process, the Mavs also picked up a pretty good defensive PG in Devin Harris and another shooter in Ellington. IMO, this is a far superior backcourt to what they had last year.

The current roster still has holes on the defensive side of the ball. Dalembert will help some, but defense and rebounding are still lacking with this squad. The Mavs might be able to pick up one or two more players to fill that gap. Still, the MBT has responded to the reality of the new CBA by signing some very good players to multiple year contracts. Some of these players will undoubtedly become trade chips at the deadline or in summer of 2014.

I don't really care how Cuban spins all of this. He has changed strategy somewhat and hasn't repeated the mistakes made from past seasons, so his actions speak louder than his words. He took a calculated risk. Sometimes those risks pay off and you look like a genius. Sometimes they fail, and everyone second guesses you. Still, despite the failed strategy they are in a position to be the 7th or 6th seed in the Western Conference. That's not horrible given that a couple of teams in the West have, on paper, improved dramatically (Rockets and Warriors). Remember this IS a two year plan (i'm not being sarcastic) and Cuban's goal of being a good but not great team after the 2013 FA season has been reached.

[dude1394]

Cubes and Donnie have always been good at making deals. Not necessarily the right deal, but they are good at making them.

IMO to the franchises detriment (yes,even though I have loved that 50+ years). We have completely remade this team 3-4 times in the dirk's career. I understand that this is a good thing but also imo a bad thing. It is like someone that just cannot keep from tinkering. It really reminds me of Donn Nelson's method of building a franchise. Just keep churning it.

Dirk's greatness has allowed all of this, if they didn't have an all-time great player it would have been interesting to see how their trade-happy method would fare. IMO probably middle of the pack at best.

You have to value and do a good job in the draft...the mavs have been able to short-circuit that because of dirk. AND even when they won it all, they couldn't help but tinker and screw that team up.

[moogle]

As of today, this is my estimate for the Mavs' cap situation:

22.7M - Dirk
9.32M - Marion
3.18M - Carter
1.25M - Larkin
0.79M - Crowder
0.49M - Mekel

0.49M - Cap Hold reserved (becomes $2.65M once Ellington signs)
0.88M - Cap Hold for Wright (becomes $4.0M once Brandan signs)

6.80M - Calderon, if rumored $29M/4yrs is true
3.67M - Dalembert, if rumored $7.5M/2yrs is true

That gives the Mavs a $49.6M commitment to 10 players. They have only $9.1M remaining to sign both Monta Ellis and Devin Harris.

If the Mavs release-and-resign Bernard James, the most they can offer Monta Ellis is a 3-year $27M contract starting at $8.6M. If they do not release Bernard James, the most they can offer Monta is a 3-year $25M contract. Either way, the Mavs can't offer Devin Harris anything more than the vet's minimum. Not without help from Milwaukee.

I'm pretty sure that Milwaukee has already agreed to help Dallas with a sign-n-trade. It's the only way the Mavs can sign Devin Harris to a reasonable multi-year deal. I'm guessing Milwaukee will receive TPEs and cash considerations for helping the Mavs.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by moogle

Either way, the Mavs can't offer Devin Harris anything more than the vet's minimum.

It was mentioned by BG in another thread (Dalembert?) that Devin will likely be a one-year minimum deal.

[moogle]

Originally Posted by Underdog

It was mentioned by BG in another thread (Dalembert?) that Devin will likely be a one-year minimum deal.

I do hope it is a 1 year deal. But I don't think that will happen. It's hard to imagine Devin Harris immediately accepting a 1-year minimum deal just days after he signed a $9M 3-year contract. It doesn't make sense. You'd expect him to at least wait a few months before settling for a 1-year minimum deal.

At minimum salary, he can go anywhere. And there are far better destinations for Devin Harris than Dallas. He'd have a legit shot at cracking the starting lineups in Miami and Houston, for example. In Dallas he's a back up fighting for minutes with 4 other point guards (Monta, Calderon, Mekel, Larkin).

[rabbitproof]

Boy, that's an expensive injury for Devin.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by moogle

I do hope it is a 1 year deal. But I don't think that will happen. It's hard to imagine Devin Harris immediately accepting a 1-year minimum deal just days after he signed a $9M 3-year contract. It doesn't make sense. You'd expect him to at least wait a few months before settling for a 1-year minimum deal.

At minimum salary, he can go anywhere. And there are far better destinations for Devin Harris than Dallas. He'd have a legit shot at cracking the starting lineups in Miami and Houston, for example. In Dallas he's a back up fighting for minutes with 4 other point guards (Monta, Calderon, Mekel, Larkin).

That's what many were saying about Morrow and New Orleans.

Why would he do it? The same reason he was willing to come to Dallas for 3/9: he wanted to come back to Dallas.

[moogle]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

That's what many were saying about Morrow and New Orleans.

Not really the same situation. Morrow is coming off a season with 41 DNP Coach's Decision for a lottery team. And he averaged only 8 minutes in the games he did play. Who is to say that he is worth more than the minimum?

Meanwhile Devin Harris started 35 games for a playoff team. He averaged 25 minutes per game for the season. Unlike Morrow, Devin was actually offered a big contract last week at $9M. Even with his injury, he could've waited a few months before settling for the minimum salary.

I do hope his contract is just for the minimum. But I'm betting it won't be.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by moogle

Not really the same situation. Morrow is coming off a season with 41 DNP Coach's Decision for a lottery team. And he averaged only 8 minutes in the games he did play. Who is to say that he is worth more than the minimum?

Meanwhile Devin Harris started 35 games for a playoff team. He averaged 25 minutes per game for the season. Unlike Morrow, Devin was actually offered a big contract last week at $9M. Even with his injury, he could've waited a few months before settling for the minimum salary.

I do hope his contract is just for the minimum. But I'm betting it won't be.

Is there anything else he can be offered? I remember reading somewhere earlier that Ellington got the Room. No exceptions left, right?

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by moogle

Not really the same situation. Morrow is coming off a season with 41 DNP Coach's Decision for a lottery team. And he averaged only 8 minutes in the games he did play. Who is to say that he is worth more than the minimum?

Meanwhile Devin Harris started 35 games for a playoff team. He averaged 25 minutes per game for the season. Unlike Morrow, Devin was actually offered a big contract last week at $9M. Even with his injury, he could've waited a few months before settling for the minimum salary.

I do hope his contract is just for the minimum. But I'm betting it won't be.

His original deal in Dallas was nowhere near "big", mainly seen as a great value move.

If he's coming to Dallas (which is very likely...) it's going to be at the minimum or awfully close.

[yahyes]

A side of me wants us to bid on Mike Miller. We could stash someone like Ledo or Mekel to the D-league. Miller would be decent as Marion's backup. Which can shift Carter at SG. Our bench could be very underrated. It also takes a lot of pressure off Crowder.

Harris, Carter, Miller, Wright, and Sarge/Oden as the backup squad.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

His original deal in Dallas was nowhere near "big", mainly seen as a great value move.

If he's coming to Dallas (which is very likely...) it's going to be at the minimum or awfully close.

I actually think this works out in Dallas'favor. We kick the tires on Devin for a minimum salary and if he pans out the worst case scenario in re signing him would be 3 million a year. We can afford the 3 million much easier next year.