2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part III

[BobbieL]

Who cares what the Mavs and Lakers did? How will this affect our franchise when we are going to suck for the next decade? Let them enjoy this lopsided trade it should mean nothing to our fanbase. It happened it is what it is. Relax

If ishbia is smart - he looks at the landscape and re-evaluates what a butler trade will do for the Suns in terms of actually being a contender

Losing last night after beating a short handed GSW team is what they are

[Sunsdeuce]

Who cares what the Mavs and Lakers did? How will this affect our franchise when we are going to suck for the next decade? Let them enjoy this lopsided trade it should mean nothing to our fanbase. It happened it is what it is. Relax

If ishbia is smart - he looks at the landscape and re-evaluates what a butler trade will do for the Suns in terms of actually being a contender

Losing last night after beating a short handed GSW team is what they are

And what they are is an unathletic, undersized, overpaid aging team who can’t keep up with young, hungrier, and faster teams.

I personally don’t view Ishbia as “smart” so much as personally driven. I think the better question is “when will Ishbia return to reality”? When will he let people with more knowledge, experience, and smarter than him in the NBA world, run the show?

[bwgood77]

Well, there must be something behind the scenes. Luka is a hot head. Now, the trade was bad, but it seems obvious Mavs didn't have trust in him leading them to glory. Or NBA is just rigged.

He was an upcoming FA in a little over a year. Unrestricted. From the Mavs standpoint they should have gotten a lot more, but likely he (his agent) told them he was planning on signing with the Lakers and would let other teams know that. Everything about the way this went down points to this. The Mavs GM also says he knew he if wanted to trade Luka the one player he wanted was AD. I don't know much about that but apparently (according to Shams), AD and Kyrie are close, Kidd coached AD in LA, Nico Harrison knows AD through Nike, etc.

Euro players are generally loyal and Mavs were in the finals just last year, so it's not like Doncic doesn't have the roster to compete. So it makes little sense to me to ask for a trade. All reports so far confirm he didn't. He's getting to a worse situation basketball wise for the short term and while he'll make more money off court, it sounds like he's losing a lot from next contract and state taxes. Now he's not the typical Euro - whiny, entitled, even his style of play and mindset is selfish and closest to someone like Harden then Jokic. I don't think that's the case, but I won't completely dismiss him forcing his way to Las Vegas. If a story like that comes out Mavs fans will be pissed. It's a lot worse then a historical loss in Gm7. Hardcore Mavs fans are cancelling League Pass and claim to stop following the team/NBA. I can't imagine a player/his agent will do that to a fanbase with no reason, but could be just me.

Many players who are super duper stars want to play in LA where all the celebrities are, and he idolized LeBron growing up. I think he idolized pop culture, once saying one of his biggest goals in his first 5 years in the NBA was a date with Jennifer Aniston (maybe didn't know she was 50, maybe didn't care) but I think he loves his stardom and it makes total sense he would really want to be in LA. He will be a God there. He will be more popular than LeBron there and many of their big names. I won't be surprised if he's in a movie within a couple years. He will get fat endorsements.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I didn't think you could combine trade exceptions but who knows?

They have a 15 and a 6 million dollar one. Just use the 15 one and that's enough to bridge the gap to get Jimmy. With some other stuff of course

I am calling my shot - four team trade

OKC: Ryan Dunn
Phoenix: Butler
Milwaukee: Beal and a FRP from the Suns
Miami: two FRPs from Phoenix (including one from OKC in the Dunn deal) plus whatever cap wise from Milwaukee

My guess, Presti or Brad Stevens are salivating at the thought of Ryan Dunn for a late FRP

Man I agree with everything that you're saying will probably happen! And what we should be doing too, But you really have to stop putting Dunn in all of these trades. I get that you're likely not endorsing trading him and we're both staunchly in the " BLOW IT UP" camp! But mentioning it so often might just manifest such a horrific outcome. Might as well have LaVar Ball saying ima speak this into existence!

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We need to instead just keep beating the blow it all up drum around KD, Book, etc! But absolutely withholding Dunn, etc.

[Slim Charless]

Who cares what the Mavs and Lakers did? How will this affect our franchise when we are going to suck for the next decade? Let them enjoy this lopsided trade it should mean nothing to our fanbase. It happened it is what it is. Relax

It MATTERS because both of those teams play in the same conference and in the Lakers case, the same division. It also matters as it will have long lasting effects on every trade from now till God knows when. If we wanna trade Booker, this will be referenced, if we wanna trade for Jimmy Butler, this will be referenced.

It's bumping coverage of freaking Super Bowl....during Super Bowl week! Lol That's why it matters. Happy to help.

[bwgood77]

With all this Luka talk what about what really matters trying to trade for Jimmy Butler. If Fox gets traded to Spurs perhaps Sacramento will take Beal if both Suns and Miami get in on it.

If the Mavs wanna go all in, then they need to go after JImmy to pair with AD and KY

I do agree with this actually

It would be Klay Thompson, Gafford and PJ for Butler - -but is Gafford expendable now?

I looked at them going for Jimmy last night, but Miami would never accept a crap package like that.

[BobbieL]

If the Mavs wanna go all in, then they need to go after JImmy to pair with AD and KY

I do agree with this actually

It would be Klay Thompson, Gafford and PJ for Butler - -but is Gafford expendable now?

I looked at them going for Jimmy last night, but Miami would never accept a crap package like that.

I also didn't realize how few FRPs the Mavs have - very similar as the Suns

[bwgood77]

If the Mavs wanna go all in, then they need to go after JImmy to pair with AD and KY

The only way they can match salaries is by including Klay, PJ, Gafford AND another significant salary like Marshall or Christie. That's WAY too much to give to bring in old ass Jimmy. 4 players for 1 leaves a huge hole. Those assets are good enough to trade for multiple interesting pieces or better just kept. Kyrie, Klay, PJ, AD, Gafford, is a pretty talented group to throw at people. They also have some interesting dudes on that bench.

Mavs are a good team adding AD for Luka this year -- for this year - -since Luka hasn't played much./ Granted if Luka is back I think he makes them better than AD will for the rest of the year

I think you can put the Mavs ahead of the Suns -- another team - even if the Suns get Butler. And the Mavs can still make one more trade - probably not Jimmy for the cost you outline - but they will add another player

I think Mavs were for sure a top 4 WC team with Luka healthy, and maybe are with AD. However, the Lakers looked good last night crushing the Knicks with no AD. Now their D will suck but they will have the two best game managers in the game making everyone else better. It's really not about this year for them, but they probably trade for a C.

[BobbieL]

Who cares what the Mavs and Lakers did? How will this affect our franchise when we are going to suck for the next decade? Let them enjoy this lopsided trade it should mean nothing to our fanbase. It happened it is what it is. Relax

If ishbia is smart - he looks at the landscape and re-evaluates what a butler trade will do for the Suns in terms of actually being a contender

Losing last night after beating a short handed GSW team is what they are

And what they are is an unathletic, undersized, overpaid aging team who can’t keep up with young, hungrier, and faster teams.

I personally don’t view Ishbia as “smart” so much as personally driven. I think the better question is “when will Ishbia return to reality”? When will he let people with more knowledge, experience, and smarter than him in the NBA world, run the show?

I truly think the Durant trade was the little guy benchwarmer now billionaire showing the world how "big" he is - if you know what I mean -- and making an impulse driven trade on his first day on the job.

If I truly thought Butler was the missing piece - I would say it. On this roster, he isn't. And I keep going back to the premise "if you are not winning the title - what is the goal?"


My reasons against the Durant trade were limiting the window - and it has done that

It would be a huge hit to Ishbias ego to have to sit back and be patient. But many fans on this board would welcome that over the alternative.

[bwgood77]

Possibly the next trade in a few days

The real question is would they both waive their NTC.

That's why Beal is so hard to trade he is making more money than LeBron James. Think about that for a sec.

I'm sure Beal would for that. LeBron might prefer playing with us. LeBron would make us better. Only if LeBron were pissed about the trade. But I don't see it and I think if he did go somewhere else it will be GS.

But main reason is that Beal goes into 2026. They will still now have max cap space in 2026 right now and can go after JJJ or someone else.

[Maze]

Mavs trying to save face by calling Luka fat and a defensive liability after having him find out about the trade by Shams is such bush league man. Kicking the man on his way out. That too by robbing him of the super max he was gonna get in the summer plus no more no-state income taxes for him either.

Luka did so damn much for that team and single handedly carried them to the finals and made them relevant. And they did him like that.

He was fat and not playing defense while he took em to the finals too lol. It’s way easier to find players that play defense than it is to find an offensive talent like Luka Doncic. They actually finally put together a great 3 and D team around him too and even with a mid season trade that took em to the Finals. Didn’t even give them one full season to see how it would play out again.

Kyrie and Klay signed with the Mavs because of Luka alone. I’m curious to see how that Mavs locker room is gonna be now. Even Dirk, Mr Maverick and their legend is freaking stunned.

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And why secretly only deal with a disgusting franchise that always have to rob other teams? What a corrupt deal.

And how is trading Luka is a win now move? He just carried that team to the Finals!

Why do teams obligate to help the Lakers stay relevant? The Gasol trade, AD trade, now this. So lame.

Mavs fans should be disgusted

I think the owners just go along with it for big business & money.I think there's certain things they'll never speak out about.For instance, we all know the draft might be rigged, but the owners just stay quiet.They'll never go against the fraternity in that regard.

[BobbieL]

The only way they can match salaries is by including Klay, PJ, Gafford AND another significant salary like Marshall or Christie. That's WAY too much to give to bring in old ass Jimmy. 4 players for 1 leaves a huge hole. Those assets are good enough to trade for multiple interesting pieces or better just kept. Kyrie, Klay, PJ, AD, Gafford, is a pretty talented group to throw at people. They also have some interesting dudes on that bench.

Mavs are a good team adding AD for Luka this year -- for this year - -since Luka hasn't played much./ Granted if Luka is back I think he makes them better than AD will for the rest of the year

I think you can put the Mavs ahead of the Suns -- another team - even if the Suns get Butler. And the Mavs can still make one more trade - probably not Jimmy for the cost you outline - but they will add another player

I think Mavs were for sure a top 4 WC team with Luka healthy, and maybe are with AD. However, the Lakers looked good last night crushing the Knicks with no AD. Now their D will suck but they will have the two best game managers in the game making everyone else better. It's really not about this year for them, but they probably trade for a C.

Lakers already linked to Timelord and Claxton - so one of those will happen - is my guess. Nurkic really doesn't help them so don't see that as an option for Rui.

I do think with a healthy AD - they are a top 4 team
The Lakers with LeBron and Luka -- well some of those guys are going to get easy looks

The Mavs will probably make another move to make them better
Memphis, even if not Butler - will
The Spurs - if they get Fox - long term will be better

The writing is on the wall Mat - do you have the "cajones" to do it??!! Or would you rather get a tweet from Flex talking about how smart you are playing 3D chess against the league.

[bullsaficianado]

Possibly the next trade in a few days

The real question is would they both waive their NTC.

That's why Beal is so hard to trade he is making more money than LeBron James. Think about that for a sec.

I'm sure Beal would for that. LeBron might prefer playing with us. LeBron would make us better. Only if LeBron were pissed about the trade. But I don't see it and I think if he did go somewhere else it will be GS.

But main reason is that Beal goes into 2026. They will still now have max cap space in 2026 right now and can go after JJJ or someone else.

Say that did happen pretty sure Lakers would throw his son into the trade. It actually worked in ESPN trade machine.

[bwgood77]

Mavs are a good team adding AD for Luka this year -- for this year - -since Luka hasn't played much./ Granted if Luka is back I think he makes them better than AD will for the rest of the year

I think you can put the Mavs ahead of the Suns -- another team - even if the Suns get Butler. And the Mavs can still make one more trade - probably not Jimmy for the cost you outline - but they will add another player

I think Mavs were for sure a top 4 WC team with Luka healthy, and maybe are with AD. However, the Lakers looked good last night crushing the Knicks with no AD. Now their D will suck but they will have the two best game managers in the game making everyone else better. It's really not about this year for them, but they probably trade for a C.

Lakers already linked to Timelord and Claxton - so one of those will happen - is my guess. Nurkic really doesn't help them so don't see that as an option for Rui.

I do think with a healthy AD - they are a top 4 team
The Lakers with LeBron and Luka -- well some of those guys are going to get easy looks

The Mavs will probably make another move to make them better
Memphis, even if not Butler - will
The Spurs - if they get Fox - long term will be better

The writing is on the wall Mat - do you have the "cajones" to do it??!! Or would you rather get a tweet from Flex talking about how smart you are playing 3D chess against the league.

Would be funny if they traded for Ayton. Could trade Kleber, Vincent, Rui or something like that. Ayton would have it so easy on offense with those guys and maybe LeBron could be the type of guy to get him engaged.

The main thing is that they all expire in 26 anyway...so it would just be getting a big. Your main goal is have the max space in 26 to put someone next to Luka, Reaves, Vanderbilt, Knecht....all those other guys expire in 26, as does everyone else, including DFS who they would probably want to keep.

But Reaves/Luka/DFS/LeBron/Ayton would be kind of funny. You also have Vanderbilt.

[Slim Charless]

I do agree with this actually

It would be Klay Thompson, Gafford and PJ for Butler - -but is Gafford expendable now?

I looked at them going for Jimmy last night, but Miami would never accept a crap package like that.

I also didn't realize how few FRPs the Mavs have - very similar as the Suns

Which is insane you know, considering they just traded FUKKING Luka Donic!!

They should have a historic amount of assets now. Like all of the stuff HOU has (Amen, Tari Eason, all the picks, Sengun) or Paulo and like 5 FRPs or both Bam and Herro from Miami.


Unbelievable.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[bwgood77]

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[BobbieL]

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Suns should be on the phone right now with Houston

And that tweet about what the Nets got for Durant is crazy compared to Luka

[Ghost of Kleine]

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As BobbieL already mentioned, The Lakers (with league's help) are lined up to land a starting center. So the NBA can help walk them straight into the finals.