The Official Dallas' 2010 pick tracker

[jeff1624]

Next year we have Dallas' pick, I think it's be fun if we were to track their offseason.

Jason Kidd

-Donnie Walsh acknowledged that he can offer more than a one-year contract to potential free agents after a report surfaced stating that he would offer Jason Kidd a three-year deal.

If the Knicks are going to offer Kidd three years, which is what the Mavericks are offering, the chances of him going to New York look much better - even if the offer is for less money. Kidd would love to play for Mike D'Antoni and his kids live in New York. "I have a little leeway which will leave me in good position for next year," Walsh wrote to The Associated Press. "I know what it is but do not talk much about it."

-Richard Jefferson said in an interview with Dan Patrick Wednesday that Jason Kidd would be joining the Knicks, then retracted it.

"Right now he’s dealing with free agency, and he’s gonna be a Knick," RJ said of his former teammate. When pressed by Patrick, Jefferson said "I hope for him - he loves New York, we both really love New York." Jefferson later admitted that Kidd has not told him he is joining the Knicks, but Jefferson sure sounded confident in his assertion. If Kidd does land in New York, it will be for substantially less money than he was offered by the Mavericks.

Brandon Bass

The Magic are pursuing free agent power forward Brandon Bass.

Bass' agent, Tony Dutt, said Wednesday that he has spoken to the Magic and they are interested in his client. Landing Bass would help make up for the loss of Marcin Gortat, who appears to be headed to the Rockets.

Marcin Gortat

The Mavericks are expected to sign Marcin Gortat to an offer sheet on Wednesday, which the Magic will have seven days to match if they want to keep the big man.

Dallas is reportedly offering him their full mid-level exception - which could be for five years starting at about $5.6 million. If the offer is for five years, there's a decent chance the Magic will choose not to match it due to the luxury tax penalties that would follow. And after also losing Tony Battie and Hedo Turkoglu, the Magic could be pretty thin in the front court.

------

They seem to be on the verge of signing Gortat which dissappoints me because now they'll be free to move Dampiers expiring contract for a bigger name.

For now I project a pick in the early 20's. Here's hoping their teams fails miserably..

[vincecarter4pres]

I wonder if Orlando and Dallas do a double S&T with Gortat and Bass, then they both retain their MLE's and can give slightly more then the MLE's or at least larger raises and 6 year deals to each player, which might solidify their signings figuring teams like Memphis, OKC and Sacto can offer more, to name a few.

BTW, why the @&#% did Detroit sign Tim Thomas vr2.0 to a 5 year $40 million deal today?!
What a stupid move. It's like Joe D signed him just to keep him from Cleveland and maybe Toronto.
Weird. Silly. Stupid. Why?

[enetric]

This RJ thing surprises me. I was going to say...I would be shocked to see Kidd in Nix uniform as that they offer him nothing but the chance to be closer to his kids in NJ. You never see that. Less cash, bad team,,,,just ot be home? he is smarter than that. He would easily tradeable before the deadline if Walsh thinks his cash matters for free agency. Then what?

I have felt all along...he is doing to Dallas what he did to us with SA. Making them think...I better do exaclty what Kidd wants. Give him his cash...and show him we are serious about adding other pieces. See Zo....see Gortat.

Now...if he signs in NY for 3 years and 18 mil? Go ahead and shock me. But when he ends up in Dallas at closer to 30mil for 3 years....it will be more in line with what I am thinking. Kidd needed a believeable chip is what I am guessing....since everyone has MLE cash...he is working other angles he thinks the Mavs will buy. Just my feeling....lets see what happens.

[vincecarter4pres]

^^^
Yeah I agree about the whole Jason Kidd thing.
He's obviously trying to pump his value up to get more from Dallas.
Honestly, I could see him leaving Dallas for less money, but I doubt the Knix.
Then again, he gets signed for 3 years in NY and he has the inside scoup to who's going there in 2010, it's not out of the question.
I mean, I'm sorry, but players talk, especially players who are friends off the court, one's who respect each other's games too.
There's no doubt in my mind these guys spoke at length to each other about their futures and more specifiaclly future teams and options during their time together at the Olympics and that they formed some bonds and allegiances, even some competitive rivalries, that they continue to talk at times during the season and offseason, just not during the playoffs.

[enetric]

It would not shock me to see Lebron in NY. It would simply sicken me.

[vincecarter4pres]

I hear you, lol. I'm still hoping they get Amar'me. NY and him deserve each other.

[FGump]

I have felt all along...he is doing to Dallas what he did to us with SA. Making them think...I better do exaclty what Kidd wants. Give him his cash...and show him we are serious about adding other pieces. See Zo....see Gortat.

Now...if he signs in NY for 3 years and 18 mil? Go ahead and shock me. But when he ends up in Dallas at closer to 30mil for 3 years....it will be more in line with what I am thinking. Kidd needed a believeable chip is what I am guessing....since everyone has MLE cash...he is working other angles he thinks the Mavs will buy. Just my feeling....lets see what happens.

Excellent analysis. You read Kidd like a book, I think.

The deal he's been offered by Dallas is apparently one I've created and discussed in Mavs circles for about 4 months. Yr 1 at about 9.5M, yr 2 at about 8.5M, yr 3 at about 7.5M with less than half of it guaranteed. It comes out to a 3 yr 25M on paper that probably morphs into a 2 yr 21M deal with a trading chip on the end for the Mavs by the time it's over, in essence getting the 10M per year but for only 2 years - and Kidd has countered by pushing for the 10M per year over 3. Everybody else is at MLE money for 3 yrs or less, he's looking for his money, so as Cuban said they'll have to work out a few "details" (translated: haggle over the guarantee amount in yr 3) and then he'll be back in Dallas.

[vincecarter4pres]

Hey Gump, who do you honestly think Cuban is going to push for with Stack's partially guaranteed deal? Do you think he's really going to deal Damp as well, his contract is a dream chip next offseason?

JES always has some interesting ideas on the trade board, but I feel like he goes from one extreme to the other with a lot of his proposals, either sending out too little of value for a good player or using Stack's contract on a less then desirable aquisition, either player or contract wise.

[FGump]

Hey Gump, who do you honestly think Cuban is going to push for with Stack's partially guaranteed deal? Do you think he's really going to deal Damp as well, his contract is a dream chip next offseason?.

I don't think the Stack chip will get used until August (virtually the last minute) and that those cap savings will go to the highest bidder. Cuban's wanting a Gasol-ish deal. If there aren't any bids like that, I suspect he'll try to pry loose a player like Mike Miller or Marcus Camby as a consolation prize.

Re Damp, the word is that they are shopping him pending the acquisition of Gortat. If I'm the Mavs, now is as good as later if I can go ahead and get my guy now. For the team looking for 2010 cap space who would trade away a longer-term contract, it's a wash either way and the only thing that changes is the urgency. So I expect they shop him now and continue to do so until they find a deal they like.

[enetric]

And again...Kidd's imprint on motivating the Mavs to go all in. He does that. Did it with us which is why I said it...it just looks like the same thing.

Now...let me ask you. You got to watch Kidd every day last season....or should I say did you? What's your feeling? You want the Mavs to use all chips...go nuts...give Kidd the cash rather than lose him if he really is willing to walk at his age? Then do whatver it takes to hell with the cap?

I felt he still played at a high level in the Mavs games i saw. i see the decline...but I still see one of the smartest players i have ever seen...who has imporved his set shot tremendously over the last few years. Still solid on help D although man to man is putird now...,makes others better like he always has...although doesnt attack the lane in the half court like he did in the old days.

But, I think this becomes more a value per talent with regard to the cap issue than a straight talent argument.

Amazing we are in an era where Artest can only get mle cash while still young....and rumors say he only got 3 years??? Chuckerson is being exposed as the overrated loser he always was having to grovel for Memphis cash and can only get two teams interested in him with his name and draw meaningless in this odd year of cap first thiking.

But an old savvy JKidd? Still working the angels....gotta love him.

Ron Artest will be working at one of Charles Oakley's car washes a few years from now. Wait and see. if there was ever a guy who should have worried more about money...its that nut job.

I hate the Lakers. Feel bad for Ariza. The kid was awesome for them this year.

[FGump]

And again...Kidd's imprint on motivating the Mavs to go all in. He does that. Did it with us which is why I said it...it just looks like the same thing.

Now...let me ask you. You got to watch Kidd every day last season....or should I say did you? What's your feeling? You want the Mavs to use all chips...go nuts...give Kidd the cash rather than lose him if he really is willing to walk at his age? Then do whatver it takes to hell with the cap?

I felt he still played at a high level in the Mavs games i saw. i see the decline...but I still see one of the smartest players i have ever seen...who has imporved his set shot tremendously over the last few years. Still solid on help D although man to man is putird now...,makes others better like he always has...although doesnt attack the lane in the half court like he did in the old days.

But, I think this becomes more a value per talent with regard to the cap issue than a straight talent argument.

Amazing we are in an era where Artest can only get mle cash while still young....and rumors say he only got 3 years??? Chuckerson is being exposed as the overrated loser he always was having to grovel for Memphis cash and can only get two teams interested in him with his name and draw meaningless in this odd year of cap first thiking.

But an old savvy JKidd? Still working the angels....gotta love him.

Ron Artest will be working at one of Charles Oakley's car washes a few years from now. Wait and see. if there was ever a guy who should have worried more about money...its that nut job.

I hate the Lakers. Feel bad for Ariza. The kid was awesome for them this year.

1. I don't think Kidd has to motivate the Mavs to go all in on talent - when they traded for him, they already made that now-not-later decision.

2. I want them to keep Kidd. He was really good last season, at times amazing. He's not 25 of course, but his instincts are off the charts, and the Mavs need his leadership too.

3. I don't think the cap is relevant to the Mavs until Dirk is done. They're better off having as much talent as possible and trying to move upward.

4. Actually I think his D was a big positive not a negative. He took lots of flak for opponent PGs who were guarded by Jason Terry having big games (while he was stifling the bigger guard).

5. My thoughts on Artest-Iverson mirror yours. Artest just isn't very smart and you think he shoulda got more, he may have off-court issues but he plays hard all the time. But there's not as much money in free agency this year as people think - it's lots of talk, but even a lot of the MLEs are really watered down offers that are one year or partial-MLE or both.

[enetric]

Were you surprised to see how good Kidd still is? I dont recall your take on him when we had him. I know a lot of others were dismissing him too soon.

As for his D....his man to man is gone, His ability moving backwards has been on the decline for a long time, in fact it was always overrated. But his help D was always all world. Now he still uses that ability to his advantage....passing lanes...and double down on a big. What PG can do that so effectively. Does so much for a team.

I like your Dallas thinking. You are committed...better or worse...keep plugging. Eventually I could see a break point where it makes sense to rebuild...dump Dirk even...but not now. Hard thing is...West is tough. You need more. Gortat is a nice pick up imo. I think he has real promise. Now can you get more? Whats the deal with Josh Howard? Blip last year due to health? or exposed as overrated.

Why Artest has made so little throughout his career just astounds me per his talent. This isnt the first time he ends up like this. Pippen was a lot like that for his era. Constantly underpaid...remember?

Its OK. Oak will hook him up when he comes back to the hood..."workin' at the car wash.....YEAH!"

[deviljets7]

Honestly I think this Kidd/Knicks stuff is a way for both sides to build leverage in free agency.

For Kidd, the idea that there's another team offering 3 years puts more pressure on Cuban to pay up.

For the Knicks, the idea that they can/are willing to commit 2010/11 money to a player tries to dissuade teams other teams from thinking they can steal David Lee for cap reasons.

[FGump]

[quote="enetric"]Were you surprised to see how good Kidd still is?

YES. I UNDERVALUED HIS IMPACT, UNTIL I SAW HIM EVERY DAY. HE'S QUITE A DIFFERENCE MAKER

I dont recall your take on him when we had him. I know a lot of others were dismissing him too soon.

As for his D....his man to man is gone, His ability moving backwards has been on the decline for a long time, in fact it was always overrated.

HIS D WAS PRETTY SOLID THIS PAST SEASON, INCLUDING MAN-T-MAN. HE COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH SOME OF THE EXTRA QUICK LIKE CHRIS PAUL (BUT HELL, WHO CAN? EVEN DEVIN HARRIS COULDN'T SLOW PAUL.) BUT GUARDING BIGGER GUYS ONE-ON-ONE, GUARDING POST UPS, I LIKED WHAT I SAW. AND HE'S GOLD IN THE PASSING LANES.

But his help D was always all world. Now he still uses that ability to his advantage....passing lanes...and double down on a big. What PG can do that so effectively. Does so much for a team.

I like your Dallas thinking. You are committed...better or worse...keep plugging. Eventually I could see a break point where it makes sense to rebuild...dump Dirk even...but not now.

THE WINDOW IS DIRK. FOR THE FLAWS YOU SEE, HE STILL HAS UNBELIEVABLE IMPACT BECAUSE HE'S SO DAMN EFFICIENT. EVEN IN DALLAS THEY DON'T SEE HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE HE MAKES. WHEN HE'S GONE, TIME TO TEAR IT DOWN, BUT NOT BEFORE.

Hard thing is...West is tough. You need more. Gortat is a nice pick up imo. I think he has real promise.

I'M UNDERWHELMED. HOPE I'M WRONG.

Now can you get more? Whats the deal with Josh Howard? Blip last year due to health? or exposed as overrated.

BIG HEALTH ISSUES. HE COULD BARELY WALK AND EVEN WHEN HE PLAYED HE WAS SLOWED. DOWN THE STRETCH THEY PLAYED HIM OFF AND ON TO GET MAX PERFORMANCE, AND THEN WOULD SHOOT HIM UP AT HALFTIME. HE HAD SURGERY THE DAY AFTER THE SEASON ENDED. SHOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFF, HIS PRESENCE OR ABSENCE HAD A HUGE RIPPLE EFFECT.

Why Artest has made so little throughout his career just astounds me per his talent. This isnt the first time he ends up like this.

YEP, AND THE ODD THING IS, HE "SHORTED OUT" IN INDY ESSENTIALLY OVER THAT VERY ISSUE. MONEY. OTHERS BEING PAID MORE WHILE HE DID THE WORK. THAT'S WHY HE BECAME AN INEFFICIENT SCORER, TO RAMP UP HIS NUMBERS AND GET A BIGGER DEAL. EXCEPT HE DIDN'T GET PAID AFTER ALL.

[vincecarter4pres]

Honestly I think this Kidd/Knicks stuff is a way for both sides to build leverage in free agency.

For Kidd, the idea that there's another team offering 3 years puts more pressure on Cuban to pay up.

For the Knicks, the idea that they can/are willing to commit 2010/11 money to a player tries to dissuade teams other teams from thinking they can steal David Lee for cap reasons.

That's a really good point, I never thought about it in that light before.