Dallas Mavericks 2025 Trade thread -- Roster and Cap -- 1st page updated on July 1st

[arkuo]

Lakers shopped hard him because he wanted to play PF...

If they really want to build around AD then trade Gafford, Lively & PJ for SFs and Cs who fit better with street clothes.

Like i said this roster is not fixable, we need a revolution.

Personally I'd like to trade Gaff or Lively for Myles Turner. A center with a 3 point shot would work wonders with AD at the 4.

If it's good for the Pacers then PJ, Gaff, Hardy and #11 for Turner, Nembhard and Toppin. Not sure if that works.

[Darren]

If the Grizz are looking to rebuild and keep Morant, Desmond Bane looks interesting for Dallas.

PJ + Klay + Hardy + 1st maybe? Gives the Grizz scoring in more positions and less reliant on Jaren Jackson to do a lot.

Morant
Klay
PJ
JJJ
Edey


Kyrie
Bane
Naji
AD
Lively

Looks good for both teams. PJ's new contract, combined with Klay's deal isn't too far off from what Bane is earning anyway. I think it works.

Sounds good. I think Desmond Banefits like groves.

[Darren]

A lot of the problems or "inactivity" from Gaff, PJ and Lively is a result of being immersed in the Luka system where everyone just stands around waiting for something to happen. I understand teams don't practice so much in-season and will need training camp to change all that including all the plays they run. Going from heliocentric ball to another way of playing will get addressed with a full camp. So I try to temper my criticisms towards PJ, Gaff and Lively. They are still playing like they have a guard who is dominating the ball for 90% of the shot clock (not saying this is bad so Luka fans need not get in a frenzy again, just relax LOL). So now there needs to be a shift.

It's the complete opposite in LA where Lebron, AR and Luka all take turns running the ball. Someday they will realize that they just need to give the ball to Luka and have everyone else stand in the 3 point line. That's like when Dallas had Harrison Barnes, DSJ and Luka take turns with the ball. We've seen that movie before. Sooner of later those guys will get shipped out for better fitting pieces.

Maybe just re-sign Kyrie to reasonable contracts alongside Lebron with MLE. Then, upgrades the perimeter defense somewhat. If the 11 pick could bring you a player like that. Go for it. If you can unload unwanted pieces (Powell, Hardy, Martin) with the pick (assume no fitting piece is available at 11) while bringing in Isaac and trade PJ and Klay for a lead guard defender with 3D and playmaking skills (e.g. Bane, KD). Train up DLive, Max and OMax, you get a really deep team. Bring in Sharp and Exum with veteran minimum.

C - DLive / Gafford / Sharp
PF - AD / Isaac / OMax
SF - LBJ / Marshall
SG - Bane / Christie
PG - Kyrie / BWill / Exum

[Archx]

A lot of the problems or "inactivity" from Gaff, PJ and Lively is a result of being immersed in the Luka system where everyone just stands around waiting for something to happen. I understand teams don't practice so much in-season and will need training camp to change all that including all the plays they run. Going from heliocentric ball to another way of playing will get addressed with a full camp. So I try to temper my criticisms towards PJ, Gaff and Lively. They are still playing like they have a guard who is dominating the ball for 90% of the shot clock (not saying this is bad so Luka fans need not get in a frenzy again, just relax LOL). So now there needs to be a shift.

It's the complete opposite in LA where Lebron, AR and Luka all take turns running the ball. Someday they will realize that they just need to give the ball to Luka and have everyone else stand in the 3 point line. That's like when Dallas had Harrison Barnes, DSJ and Luka take turns with the ball. We've seen that movie before. Sooner of later those guys will get shipped out for better fitting pieces.

Maybe just re-sign Kyrie to reasonable contracts alongside Lebron with MLE. Then, upgrades the perimeter defense somewhat. If the 11 pick could bring you a player like that. Go for it. If you can unload unwanted pieces (Powell, Hardy, Martin) with the pick (assume no fitting piece is available at 11) while bringing in Isaac and trade PJ and Klay for a lead guard defender with 3D and playmaking skills (e.g. Bane, KD). Train up DLive, Max and OMax, you get a really deep team. Bring in Sharp and Exum with veteran minimum.

C - DLive / Gafford / Sharp
PF - AD / Isaac / OMax
SF - LBJ / Marshall
SG - Bane / Christie
PG - Kyrie / BWill / Exum

Dude... cap will be at around 150M not 220M There are 1st and specially 2nd apron limitations that even affect MLE.

[arkuo]

A lot of the problems or "inactivity" from Gaff, PJ and Lively is a result of being immersed in the Luka system where everyone just stands around waiting for something to happen. I understand teams don't practice so much in-season and will need training camp to change all that including all the plays they run. Going from heliocentric ball to another way of playing will get addressed with a full camp. So I try to temper my criticisms towards PJ, Gaff and Lively. They are still playing like they have a guard who is dominating the ball for 90% of the shot clock (not saying this is bad so Luka fans need not get in a frenzy again, just relax LOL). So now there needs to be a shift.

It's the complete opposite in LA where Lebron, AR and Luka all take turns running the ball. Someday they will realize that they just need to give the ball to Luka and have everyone else stand in the 3 point line. That's like when Dallas had Harrison Barnes, DSJ and Luka take turns with the ball. We've seen that movie before. Sooner of later those guys will get shipped out for better fitting pieces.

Maybe just re-sign Kyrie to reasonable contracts alongside Lebron with MLE. Then, upgrades the perimeter defense somewhat. If the 11 pick could bring you a player like that. Go for it. If you can unload unwanted pieces (Powell, Hardy, Martin) with the pick (assume no fitting piece is available at 11) while bringing in Isaac and trade PJ and Klay for a lead guard defender with 3D and playmaking skills (e.g. Bane, KD). Train up DLive, Max and OMax, you get a really deep team. Bring in Sharp and Exum with veteran minimum.

C - DLive / Gafford / Sharp
PF - AD / Isaac / OMax
SF - LBJ / Marshall
SG - Bane / Christie
PG - Kyrie / BWill / Exum

That team will have a payroll that will be way over the cap. Not feasible.

[Mr B]

Gafford is outplaying DLive this season. The physical composure together with the mental toughness will the team to win. This is a physical style I want DLive to grow quickly. Still, the Mavs is significantly less physical and energetic without Gafford in the lineup.

The Houston series also make me wonder what the Mavs could do differently with Udoka instead of Kidd.

The problem with Gafford is his contract is coming up. I agree that he’s been at very least as good (if not better than Lively). The question then becomes who do you want to pay? You can’t pay them both. Lively is younger and bigger and just as good if not better than Gafford.

So if he’s made available he becomes the Mavs biggest asset to trade (along with any draft picks and possibly PJ).

The Mavs NEED a PG that’s all star caliber to run the show while Kyrie is out. I still think getting Reaves from LA is the best option although I understand why dealing with LA again is frowned upon. Another option would be to find a way to trade with Utah to get Sexton and Markkanen.

By trading Gafford though the Mavs would still need to find a backup center. Unless they can get Sexton/Kessler instead of Sexton/Markkanen.

[arkuo]

By trading Gafford though the Mavs would still need to find a backup center. Unless they can get Sexton/Kessler instead of Sexton/Markkanen.

Kai Jones would be the perfect low cost option here.

[Mr B]

By trading Gafford though the Mavs would still need to find a backup center. Unless they can get Sexton/Kessler instead of Sexton/Markkanen.

Kai Jones would be the perfect low cost option here.

Kai Jones would be nice as the 3rd center/project but would not want him as Lively’s primary backup. They would need a quality backup C, especially when you consider Lively’s issue with his feet. They found Gafford so hopefully they can find another young athletic big that’s buried in someone’s bench.

[41Dirk41]

AD is the Lively backup... If they can't cover 48 minutes at the C there is a big problem.

[Mr B]

AD is the Lively backup... If they can't cover 48 minutes at the C there is a big problem.

The problem with that is AD doesn’t want to play center. I know that may sound asinine since he’s just an employee and “you play where the **** we tell you to play” but that’s not the best way to handle your best player. If there is an opportunity to acquire a legit backup center they need to do it (in the event Gafford is traded).

Besides are you ok with AD being the last line of defense or an extended period of time if Lively gets hurt again?

[41Dirk41]

AD is the Lively backup... If they can't cover 48 minutes at the C there is a big problem.

The problem with that is AD doesn’t want to play center. I know that may sound asinine since he’s just an employee and “you play where the **** we tell you to play” but that’s not the best way to handle your best player. If there is an opportunity to acquire a legit backup center they need to do it (in the event Gafford is traded).

Besides are you ok with AD being the last line of defense or an extended period of time if Lively gets hurt again?

Harrison said after the trade that AD will close games at the 5 ... So he will cover at least 10/15 minutes per game.

If Lively can't play 35MPG it's a problem. Trade him ASAP.

Kai Jones is a good insurance, we need desperately starting PG&SG player right now.

[Mr B]

AD is the Lively backup... If they can't cover 48 minutes at the C there is a big problem.

The problem with that is AD doesn’t want to play center. I know that may sound asinine since he’s just an employee and “you play where the **** we tell you to play” but that’s not the best way to handle your best player. If there is an opportunity to acquire a legit backup center they need to do it (in the event Gafford is traded).

Besides are you ok with AD being the last line of defense or an extended period of time if Lively gets hurt again?

Harrison said after the trade that AD will close games at the 5 ... So he will cover at least 10/15 minutes per game.

If Lively can't play 35MPG it's a problem. Trade him ASAP.

Kai Jones is a good insurance, we need desperately starting PG&SG player right now.

They definitely NEED a starting quality PG/SG. I also would not be opposed to them resigning Gafford if they can. And 10-15 minutes at center I don’t think would be a problem for AD. He just doesn’t want to spend the entire time as the Mavs full time center like he was in LA.

As Lively, yea ideally you want him playing 35 minutes a night. If he can’t do that then he can’t do that though. It makes zero sense to overplay a guy when he physically cannot do it. Making him play too many minutes anyways just because he should would be like cutting your nose off to spite your face.

As long as there is a quality backup 5 it makes more sense to play them both about 25-30 min a game. Them two along with AD (10-15 min at center) should keep them fresh and healthy. The team used to do the same thing with Tyson Chandler/Brendon Haywood. The closer Tyson got to 35 minutes the more injuries he got so Carlisle played him closer to 25 minutes a night. They should do the same with Lively. He HAS to have a quality backup (starting caliber) though.

I know not everyone will agree with that but it worked for the Mavs before with an injury prone center, I don’t see why it couldn’t work again.

[Maverick41]

If HOU decides to trade for a star (ex. KD, Booker, etc.), I'd be interested in jumping in as a 3rd team to get Jalen Green. I know he completed wet the bed in the playoffs but I can see it working better here with Kyrie and Klay to mentor him. A plus is that he's always healthy too, even having played all 82 games the last 2 seasons. Something like:

DAL receives: J. Green
PHX receives: Gafford + Hardy + Martin + Smith Jr. + filler + a pick or 2 PHX picks back
HOU receives: KD

Maybe I'm alone on this but I still like his potential. Not as a superstar but eventually as a good 3rd option when the team is healthy.

[Teffer10]

A lot of the problems or "inactivity" from Gaff, PJ and Lively is a result of being immersed in the Luka system where everyone just stands around waiting for something to happen. I understand teams don't practice so much in-season and will need training camp to change all that including all the plays they run. Going from heliocentric ball to another way of playing will get addressed with a full camp. So I try to temper my criticisms towards PJ, Gaff and Lively. They are still playing like they have a guard who is dominating the ball for 90% of the shot clock (not saying this is bad so Luka fans need not get in a frenzy again, just relax LOL). So now there needs to be a shift.

It's the complete opposite in LA where Lebron, AR and Luka all take turns running the ball. Someday they will realize that they just need to give the ball to Luka and have everyone else stand in the 3 point line. That's like when Dallas had Harrison Barnes, DSJ and Luka take turns with the ball. We've seen that movie before. Sooner of later those guys will get shipped out for better fitting pieces.

Maybe just re-sign Kyrie to reasonable contracts alongside Lebron with MLE. Then, upgrades the perimeter defense somewhat. If the 11 pick could bring you a player like that. Go for it. If you can unload unwanted pieces (Powell, Hardy, Martin) with the pick (assume no fitting piece is available at 11) while bringing in Isaac and trade PJ and Klay for a lead guard defender with 3D and playmaking skills (e.g. Bane, KD). Train up DLive, Max and OMax, you get a really deep team. Bring in Sharp and Exum with veteran minimum.

C - DLive / Gafford / Sharp
PF - AD / Isaac / OMax
SF - LBJ / Marshall
SG - Bane / Christie
PG - Kyrie / BWill / Exum

Lebron isnt signing for MLE but wouldnt surprise me if Nico offers Gafford/Klay/PJ/Martin for Lebron/Hayes.

[41Dirk41]

The problem with that is AD doesn’t want to play center. I know that may sound asinine since he’s just an employee and “you play where the **** we tell you to play” but that’s not the best way to handle your best player. If there is an opportunity to acquire a legit backup center they need to do it (in the event Gafford is traded).

Besides are you ok with AD being the last line of defense or an extended period of time if Lively gets hurt again?

Harrison said after the trade that AD will close games at the 5 ... So he will cover at least 10/15 minutes per game.

If Lively can't play 35MPG it's a problem. Trade him ASAP.

Kai Jones is a good insurance, we need desperately starting PG&SG player right now.

They definitely NEED a starting quality PG/SG. I also would not be opposed to them resigning Gafford if they can. And 10-15 minutes at center I don’t think would be a problem for AD. He just doesn’t want to spend the entire time as the Mavs full time center like he was in LA.

As Lively, yea ideally you want him playing 35 minutes a night. If he can’t do that then he can’t do that though. It makes zero sense to overplay a guy when he physically cannot do it. Making him play too many minutes anyways just because he should would be like cutting your nose off to spite your face.

As long as there is a quality backup 5 it makes more sense to play them both about 25-30 min a game. Them two along with AD (10-15 min at center) should keep them fresh and healthy. The team used to do the same thing with Tyson Chandler/Brendon Haywood. The closer Tyson got to 35 minutes the more injuries he got so Carlisle played him closer to 25 minutes a night. They should do the same with Lively. He HAS to have a quality backup (starting caliber) though.

I know not everyone will agree with that but it worked for the Mavs before with an injury prone center, I don’t see why it couldn’t work again.

Without Luka (and Kyrie) we need a pair of starting PG and SG, someone has to go to make those trade.

If Lively can't play at least 30MPG trade him. We can't afford 2 quality Cs and street clothes.
This what Nico Harrison built. We need a mini revolution to fix this roster.

Even PJ probably has to go, adding AD he has no spot.

At this point is useless try to retain our players for our sakè, build a decent team around Davis and pray that he will stay healthy.
No other options.

Honestly i would also part away with Kyrie too.

[Darren]

LBJ for Gafford, Klay, Martin make sense for both teams. LAL needs a quality big. Lebron is not a part of LAL plan. The Mavs is looking for KD. But LBJ could be just as good and more easily attainable. This gives the Mavs a final window to fight for something.

[41Dirk41]

Trade away Luka and trade for LeBron in 6 months is probably the worst case scenario for every basketball team in the universe.

**** LeBron. I don't want him.

[Mavrelous]

0 chance LeBron comes to Dallas, he's staying in LA, small chance he moves to PHX next to his son who commit to Arizona.
LeBron has no trade clause, he controls his destiny.

[Mr B]

0 chance LeBron comes to Dallas, he's staying in LA, small chance he moves to PHX next to his son who commit to Arizona.
LeBron has no trade clause, he controls his destiny.

I still think the Mavs should be in on Collin Sexton and either Markkanen or Kessler. I’d honestly prefer that over Labron.

[Mavrelous]

0 chance LeBron comes to Dallas, he's staying in LA, small chance he moves to PHX next to his son who commit to Arizona.
LeBron has no trade clause, he controls his destiny.

I still think the Mavs should be in on Collin Sexton and either Markkanen or Kessler. I’d honestly prefer that over Labron.

Sexton would be great, Markannen is just too expensive on his new deal.