Now what?

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Good post. Would recommend.

I'm definitely on the TJ Warren train.

Your plan B is where I'm at.

Warrens injury history is worrisome, but sometimes you gotta take a swing. Still a bit worried about the lack of depth at Center.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Warrens injury history is worrisome, but sometimes you gotta take a swing. Still a bit worried about the lack of depth at Center.

Yeah, gotta get a defensive/rebounding oriented legit sized center.
I'm sure they'll sign someone like Howard, Biyombo, McGee, Jordan, or Whiteside.

Personally, I'd rather see them just sign Hartenstein and then see what Hardy, Green and Frank bring to the table next season.

Then make a move for a decent wing at the TDL using any combination of those 3 (if they don't pan out), along with Powell's expiring and future draft picks if need.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

Yeah, gotta get a defensive/rebounding oriented legit sized center.
I'm sure they'll sign someone like Howard, Biyombo, McGee, Jordan, or Whiteside.

Personally, I'd rather see them just sign Hartenstein and then see what Hardy, Green and Frank bring to the table next season.

Then make a move for a decent wing at the TDL using any combination of those 3 (if they don't pan out), along with Powell's expiring and future draft picks if need.

I?ve watched some highlights of Hartenstein after he was first mentioned, and I?d be willing to take a chance on him. I like that he?s a good passer.

I?m hoping we can showcase THJ early in the season to make him a more attractive trade piece before the TDL. Also hoping Frank is working on his corner 3?s this offseason.

[rimrocker]

I honestly think we'll be fine as long as we get another center.
Wood and THJ should make up for any offense we lose from Brunson's departure, and this will give a guy like Hardy an opportunity that he probably wouldn't have had.

I never thought we'd be a legit contender with Brunson as our 2nd best player so hopefully someone will step up enough to at least become trade bait for a bigger fish.

I don't think we are done yet, but Brunson leaving almost guarantees that THJ won't be moved this offseason imo.

[tap2390]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Warrens injury history is worrisome, but sometimes you gotta take a swing. Still a bit worried about the lack of depth at Center.

Me too... two other options are to waive Ntlikina and bring in two vet mins (or a third is to split the TPMLE up, but I don't think that is worth the downgrade in players):

EXAMPLE:

-Dragic w/ vet min
-Free agent center w/ vet min (Dwight, Whiteside, Ibaka, Biyombo)
-Free agent wing w/ TPMLE (Bruce Brown, Oladipo, Payton, Porter, Warren, Ingles, Lamb, etc.)

OR

-Dragic w/ vet min
-Free agent center w/ TPMLE (Hartenstein)
-Free agent wing w/ vet min (Bryn Forbes, Tony Snell, Wes Matthews)


It's a tough call to make but personally I think I prefer the latter -- it's about time we go a little bigger. Bring in Hartenstein if you can get him for the TPMLE. Pray one of the good wings (Oladipo, Warren) takes a vet min 1-year prove it deal, otherwise bring back Wes Matthews.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by BPo001

I?ve watched some highlights of Hartenstein after he was first mentioned, and I?d be willing to take a chance on him. I like that he?s a good passer.

I?m hoping we can showcase THJ early in the season to make him a more attractive trade piece before the TDL. Also hoping Frank is working on his corner 3?s this offseason.

Hartenstein just makes sense to me because he is big, young, can shoot, can pass and seems to be aggressive enough to at least provide some resistance on regular sized bigs. Plus, it just feels that he is ready for a real breakout season.

He has the skills to get plenty of PT.
Guys like Howard/Biyombo/McGee/Jordan are low minute situational guys that won't necessarily be part of a rotation.

Hartenstein has the upside to become a huge part of our system and the type of guy I think we should take a chance on.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by tap2390

Me too... two other option are to waive Ntlikina and bring in two vet mins (or a third is to split the TPMLE up, but I don't think that is worth the downgrade in players):

EXAMPLE:

-Dragic w/ vet min
-Free agent center w/ vet min (Dwight, Whiteside, Ibaka, Biyombo)
-Free agent wing w/ TPMLE (Bruce Brown, Oladipo, Payton, Porter, Warren, Ingles, Lamb, etc.)

OR

-Dragic w/ vet min
-Free agent center w/ TPMLE (Hartenstein)
-Free agent wing w/ vet min (Bryn Forbes, Tony Snell, Wes Matthews)


It's a tough call to make but personally I think I prefer the latter -- it's about time we go a little bigger. Bring in Hartenstein if you can get him for the TPMLE. Pray one of the good wings (Oladipo, Warren) takes a vet min 1-year prove it deal, otherwise bring back Wes Matthews.

Absolutely love your second plan!
That team will set us up well for the POs and then we can make some moves before the TDL to address any areas of need.

Powell, Wood, THJ and Green could all be decent trade assets at that time.

[saclare]

My two predictions for next season, should Brunson end up going to the NYK...

Brunson will have a RUDE awakening and struggle mightily. Sure, I think he can be a lead guard. But a go to #1 option as they are paying him to be, HELL to the NO. He's about to find out what playing in the NBA looks like without top 5 spacing and next to no other shot creator. Please don't come at me with Barrett and Randle lol they are nice players but inefficient ones who need the ball in their hands to maximize whatever value they bring. I see the same in Obi, but he's young and can improve. But the biggest thing here is the attention Brunson will now demand from teams that don't have to worry about Luka and perimeter shooters. Not only on offense, but I would expect Brunson to be one of the worst defenders in the NBA as the Knicks are no where near the defensive team as the Mavs. Will he still put up respectable offensive stats? Sure, he's that good and crafty to be able to do so. But I expect a slide in efficiency at a minimum.

THJ - people love to shit on him for the contract. I'm banking on him coming back and providing a scoring punch off the bench with the 2nd unit lead by Dinwiddie and Dragic. THJ has done nothing but play his ass off for this team. His efficiency and consistency can be frustrating, but I expect him to take a big step forward this year if he's not traded. That's all, my gut feeling and call. I think THJ has a career year. Oh, and the structure of his contract isn't talked about enough, as it get better each year versus the cap.

Bonus: Christian Wood is going to be a focused wrecking ball. Guy has been on shit teams and you can certainly point out attitude. But he's finally with a team that has a winning culture and a defined hierarchy. I'm banking his defense will also shine. That being said, we do need a bigger true center to provide some quality backup minutes. Love Maxi, but I'd rather keep his defensive versatility in play at the 4.

[rimrocker]

Is it me or did anyone else get the sense that Brunson over shadowed Dinwiddie?

It seemd that Dinwiddie was pretty good when Luka or Brunson was out but when all 3 were healthy and playing, Dinwiddie seemed to take a back seat.

I'm a little optimistic about Dinwiddie flourishing next season with Brunson moving on because he has the opportunity to assert himself into Brunson's role, and he'll have a full off-season with the team.
I'm also a little more optimistic about Bertans too because of the opportunity to be in the Mavs training camp.

[tap2390]

THJ gets a bad rap for his streaky shooting, but he is consistently engaged, extremely hard-working, and a great teammate.

Side note: I feel like I saw Brunson leaving coming from a mile away. I just remember his face every time Luka would get frustrated with him or vice versa. He's leaving because he wants to leave -- because of Luka.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by tap2390

Me too... two other option are to waive Ntlikina and bring in two vet mins (or a third is to split the TPMLE up, but I don't think that is worth the downgrade in players):

1) 2mill is the vet minimum for Frank and that money is spent no matter what (fully guaranteed). If you waive Frank, you get a roster spot, but you don't save payments and you don't save tax/cap. There is no reason to waive Frank unless you have better guys and you need the spot.

2) TPMLE is also only 6.4mill. The exception is there to give teams the ability to offer a bigger contract and if you split it once, you're barely above the min for each contract. If you split it three ways, it's less than the min for a lot of vets. We're already allowed to have as many vet minimum deals as we want (1-2.8 mill depending on experience) per the CBA.

[EricaLubarsky]

1) Luka
2) SD
3) THJ
4) Bert
5) Wood
6) DFS
7) Powell
8) Bullock
9) Kleber
10) Green
11) Ntilikina
12)
13)
14)
15) Pinson*
------
16*) Hardy
17*)

*Pinson got a QO so will get a regular roster spot

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Rumor that Spurs won't keep Lonnie Walker. I wouldn't mind taking a cheap flyer on him. Had an off shooting year, but it's worth a shot if the price is low.

[tap2390]

Mavs have until July 4th to waive Ntlikina, after that his contract is guaranteed.

Source:

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/dallas-mavericks//cap

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by tap2390

Mavs have until July 4th to waive Ntlikina, after that his contract is guaranteed.

Source:

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/dallas-mavericks//cap

Yeah but why? He's a vet minimum. That's the same as the roster hold.

[purplefrog]

If this is true, then Cuban is still a cheapskate...

https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2022/6...ew-york-knicks


Seriously, the same total $ over the course of the contract, but Mavs do it in five years rather than four. C'mon man...

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by purplefrog

If this is true, then Cuban is still a cheapskate...

https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2022/6...ew-york-knicks


Seriously, the same total $ over the course of the contract, but Mavs do it in five years rather than four. C'mon man...

Cheapskate?

Signing the guard to a $30M contract would have cost the Mavericks a total of $130M in salary/tax in one season for Brunson alone.

Cuban is a billionaire, but that tax rate is absurd. The tax alone for Brunson would match the salary of every other player combined and the repeat tax just keeps wrecking us and would prevent us from retaining Wood if he works out.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Cheapskate?

Signing the guard to a $30M contract would have cost the Mavericks a total of $130M in salary/tax in one season for Brunson alone.

Cuban is a billionaire, but that tax rate is absurd. The tax alone for Brunson would match the salary of every other player combined and the repeat tax just keeps wrecking us and would prevent us from retaining Wood if he works out.

Which his why the Mavs need to dump salary regardless, and there is a rumor that we are in talks with the Pistons to absorb one of our contracts. Source on twitter seemed a bit dubious, but there it is.

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Cheapskate?

Signing the guard to a $30M contract would have cost the Mavericks a total of $130M in salary/tax in one season for Brunson alone.

Cuban is a billionaire, but that tax rate is absurd. The tax alone for Brunson would match the salary of every other player combined and the repeat tax just keeps wrecking us and would prevent us from retaining Wood if he works out.

If you are going to compete with the Warriors and Clippers, then you have to pay up or be content with just making the playoffs and maybe winning a first round series. Those owners are wiling to take a deep breath and do what is necessary to compete year-in and year-out. The system stinks (I agree with Thespiralgoeson) but its the game being played right now. If the reported salary numbers are accurate, then the take away is the Mavs were outbid, not JB wanted to play for the Knicks. It may be both, but it is most certainly not only the latter.

Why not offer a five year contract worth $125M? That is at least more total money than what the Knicks are offering. And P.S. I don't care about Cuban's money. The Warriors are going through this right now with extensions on the horizon for Wiggins, Looney and Poole. I wager that at least two in that group re-sign and GSW goes deeper into the luxury tax. Clippers are positioning themselves to do the same.

An alternative to my rant, is that Nico has prepared for JB's departure and has a plan that will make us all very happy. I hope that is the case.

[BPo001]

Love that we have reports of the Knicks offer to JB before free agency has even opened. Tampering is not important to the NBA. Why even have a designated date to start FA. Just start it the second the season ends.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by purplefrog

If you are going to compete with the Warriors and Clippers, then you have to pay up or be content with just making the playoffs and maybe winning a first round series. Those owners are wiling to take a deep breath and do what is necessary to compete year-in and year-out. The system stinks (I agree with Thespiralgoeson) but its the game being played right now. If the reported salary numbers are accurate, then the take away is the Mavs were outbid, not JB wanted to play for the Knicks. It may be both, but it is most certainly not only the latter.

Why not offer a five year contract worth $125M? That is at least more total money than what the Knicks are offering. And P.S. I don't care about Cuban's money. The Warriors are going through this right now with extensions on the horizon for Wiggins, Looney and Poole. I wager that at least two in that group re-sign and GSW goes deeper into the luxury tax. Clippers are positioning themselves to do the same.

An alternative to my rant, is that Nico has prepared for JB's departure and has a plan that will make us all very happy. I hope that is the case.

+rep

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by purplefrog

If you are going to compete with the Warriors and Clippers, then you have to pay up or be content with just making the playoffs and maybe winning a first round series. Those owners are wiling to take a deep breath and do what is necessary to compete year-in and year-out. The system stinks (I agree with Thespiralgoeson) but its the game being played right now. If the reported salary numbers are accurate, then the take away is the Mavs were outbid, not JB wanted to play for the Knicks. It may be both, but it is most certainly not only the latter.

Why not offer a five year contract worth $125M? That is at least more total money than what the Knicks are offering. And P.S. I don't care about Cuban's money. The Warriors are going through this right now with extensions on the horizon for Wiggins, Looney and Poole. I wager that at least two in that group re-sign and GSW goes deeper into the luxury tax. Clippers are positioning themselves to do the same.

An alternative to my rant, is that Nico has prepared for JB's departure and has a plan that will make us all very happy. I hope that is the case.

This is hard to accept but the Warriors are a championship team. They've repeated and now have four rings. That is worth paying repeater tax for.

Mavs would be in worse shape financially and we all agree that we're at least 1-2 pieces (even WITH Brunson) from contending. I know it feels bad, but you simply don't mortgage the future for a team that is that far from a championship. That's bush league desperation stuff.

Mavs gotta retool a bit: develop Hardy, draft well in the future, make smart moves with trades, develop guys internally, and if we get to championship level we pay to bring those guys back. Overpaying guys because we have no faith in our ability to constantly improve? That's a bad move.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Love that we have reports of the Knicks offer to JB before free agency has even opened. Tampering is not important to the NBA. Why even have a designated date to start FA. Just start it the second the season ends.

They literally sent their entire coaching squad to sit baseline for Mavs playoff games. It could not be more obvious.

[Lestat_1795]

The NBA salary cap is pretty much broken.
It should be encouraged by the league to draft talent und keep this drafted talent after the first contract is up. There should be no luxury tax paid for your own drafted players. Look at the Dubs. They are being punished for drafting several future hall of famers in a row.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

This is hard to accept but the Warriors are a championship team. They've repeated and now have four rings. That is worth paying repeater tax for.

Mavs would be in worse shape financially and we all agree that we're at least 1-2 pieces (even WITH Brunson) from contending. I know it feels bad, but you simply don't mortgage the future for a team that is that far from a championship. That's bush league desperation stuff.

Mavs gotta retool a bit: develop Hardy, draft well in the future, make smart moves with trades, develop guys internally, and if we get to championship level we pay to bring those guys back. Overpaying guys because we have no faith in our ability to constantly improve? That's a bad move.

I hold the opinion we are championship contenders now, with or without Brunson. I honestly don't get the alternative thought. The Mavs will make another move or three, we've added Wood and THJ back, losing Brunson. Blah blah blah second best player, maybe on last year's squad. Mavs will be right back in the thick of things next season.

[BPo001]

June 29th, 6:40 am - Mavericks considered suitors for Matisse Thybulle

This one is from Jake Fischer, and comes as part of a note about the 76ers considering trading Thybulle. He?s a fascinating defensive player, but is so very bad on offense. I have no idea how this one might happen.

June 29th, 6:46 am - Theo Pinson getting qualifying offer from Dallas

According to Keith Smith, the Mavericks will be offering the playoff hype man and regular season vibes leader a contract at the start of free agency. He can no longer be a two-way player.

I?m personally not sure about this now that Jalen Brunson is gone. Dallas needs depth and he strikes me as a luxury.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I have almost no enthusiasm over Thybulle. I guess if they want Josh Green, but he seems like the same player.

[BPo001]

Within the Mavericks? organization, conversations have shifted from re-signing Brunson to replacing his production, as well as the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal involving Brunson that could at least prevent Dallas from losing him for nothing. ? via Tim Cato @ The Athletic

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Any interest in Sexton?

https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/statu...95731968172032

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Any interest in Sexton?

https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/statu...95731968172032

Not at 20-25mill a year coming off significant injuries.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Warrens injury history is worrisome, but sometimes you gotta take a swing. Still a bit worried about the lack of depth at Center.

Definitely a valid concern, but IMO the risk is worth the reward. Warren has potential to be our top 2 way player at his best.

I think there's some options for backup center. It has to be addressed as far as fans are concerned, but who knows if the FO see it as high of a priority

[EricaLubarsky]

With the loss of Brunson this team is over the cap/tax and the only money we have are vet minimum deals and a 6.5mill TPMLE.

Warren will probably get at least an offer of 8-9 so he may not be an option, but if he was, would you use the MLE on him and then roll into next season with a vet min like Dragic as our backup PG?

[tap2390]

We might have a trade exception we can use to receive a player in a sign and trade if we sign and trade Brunson into NYK?s cap space.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by purplefrog

If this is true, then Cuban is still a cheapskate...

https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2022/6...ew-york-knicks


Seriously, the same total $ over the course of the contract, but Mavs do it in five years rather than four. C'mon man...

Like I said earlier, it just comes down to Cuban being Cuban. He wants everyone to take a team friendly deal (thj most recently). You gotta pay up if you?re going to be a contender. The Mavs just came off their best run in 11 years and you?re not gonna pay an extra 5 mill per year? And you get nothing back? He?s so dense.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Like I said earlier, it just comes down to Cuban being Cuban. He wants everyone to take a team friendly deal (thj most recently). You gotta pay up if you?re going to be a contender. The Mavs just came off their best run in 11 years and you?re not gonna pay an extra 5 mill per year? And you get nothing back? He?s so dense.

It's not 5mill. It's 130mill in salary and taxes THIS YEAR ALONE as well as being hamstrung in every single transaction including MLEs.

We're fucked because of KP's max deal and Donnie being useless for so long. That's it. Nico split that KP deal into two, but we're still saddled with that ridiculous salary with Luka's max deal kicking in too.

If we weren't in cap/tax hell, it would be another story, but let's not be disingenuous with our reporting. It's not Cuban balking over spending 5 million.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by saclare

I hold the opinion we are championship contenders now, with or without Brunson. I honestly don't get

Without? That?s just silly. Mavs don?t make it out of the first round without him in a down year. You lose a guy that can spell you and go get a bucket. West will be harder next year.

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

It's not 5mill. It's 130mill in salary and taxes THIS YEAR ALONE as well as being hamstrung in every single transaction including MLEs.

We're fucked because of KP's max deal and Donnie being useless for so long. That's it. Nico split that KP deal into two, but we're still saddled with that ridiculous salary with Luka's max deal kicking in too.

If we weren't in cap/tax hell, it would be another story, but let's not be disingenuous with our reporting. It's not Cuban balking over spending 5 million.

I still think you need to make a credible offer. It's likely that JB bolts for NY anyway, but frankly the offer made by the Mavs compared to what was being offered by the Knicks is weak. As it turns out this was an easy decision for JB to make. More money, a chance to be the man running the show, near family and friends. It's a no-brainer. I would have liked to have seen Cuban at least make it a competition.

[Melonhead]

Hartenstein has emerged as the favorite to land in Orlando from Stein

[EricaLubarsky]

Starting at 6 p.m. ET on June 30, teams may negotiate deals with free agents. However, those players cannot officially sign until 12:01 p.m. ET on July 6.

All these "deals" and we're still more than 24 hours from free agency starting

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Hartenstein has emerged as the favorite to land in Orlando from Stein

Magic have also apparently decided to not offer Bamba a qualifying offer.