Dallas Mavericks 2025 Trade thread -- Roster and Cap and the 1st page

[Mavrelous]

The way I see it, for the roster to work offensively, both DLo and Klay need play, and defensively, Christie should be the POA, with rim protecting center and a forward able to defend big wing, act a s a low man and provide help defense when the center is switched on the perimeter.
Mavs have all the parts to make this work, they actually have 2 such forwards when most team would kill for one, but it means AD has to play the 5 most of the time, like Maverick41 said, the team has no spacing when AD is at the 4 and Flagg/PJ is at the 3.
I don't want to draw definite conclusions from last year, but the 2 big lineups feasted on bad teams, but got embarrassed by good teams, they were blown out of the gym against Harden and Luka, and in the play in, even non-spacing rim pressuring PG in Ja playing with rookie non-stretch big dominated them.
Also, from the little we saw, Gafford fit better with AD than Lively, Gafford ability to get the ball down low and create points helped the team, the exact opposite from when Luka was here when Lively vertical spacing and quick feet on defense were much more valuable.

Mavs biggest problem will be playoffs and half court offense. In Luka's era Mavs were better playoffs team that RS team, because Luka was probably the best half court player in the league. Now I can't even imagine how they will play half court offense in playoffs. It's not only that 2 bigs lineup won't work against elite teams, it's about, who will be creating in half court. There's no one capable of.

Most likely it'll be DHO heavy offense that'll rely on AD punishing switches in the post and movement shooters in Klay and DLo, until Kyrie comes back.
I don't think they'll excel in half court offense, but they will dominate in the paint and on the boards to compensate for it.

[ACMFFL]

I didn't say they should trade him for peanuts, I said his value plummeted the second Luka was traded for AD. That's not necessarily bad for Mavs, they might sign him for substantially less, but it's for sure bad for Lively.

Again, his value plummeted due to his injuries. I mean he played a grand total of 4 games (~140') after the Luka trade.

[Bob8]

I didn't say they should trade him for peanuts, I said his value plummeted the second Luka was traded for AD. That's not necessarily bad for Mavs, they might sign him for substantially less, but it's for sure bad for Lively.

Again, his value plummeted due to his injuries. I mean he played a grand total of 4 games (~140') after the Luka trade.

If you can't understand that changing superstar Pg for superstar big will change a lot in the team and especially in front court no matter what, then there's no need to continue. Yes health problems didn't help, but his position would have changed no matter what.

[daoneandonly]

Lively's value has plummeted due to his injuries, not Luka absence.
And imho it makes little sense to move Dereck unless they are looking for a star player: he's one of the few players on the roster that fits Cooper timeline, and he makes just 5.25M, so Mavs would have to package him with another rotational player at least.
Plus, in this cba era, cost-controlled players are crucial for contender teams.

I love Gafford but he's definitely the odd man out, that's what his contract extension suggests too.
I don't expect both PJ and Daniel to be on the roster at opening night.

Lively value plummeted in the moment Luka was traded for star big, his potential new contract plummeted too. That might be ok for Mavs, I doubt it's ok for Lively and his agent.

I honestly don't get your reasoning, his value plummeted cause he struggled to stay healthy, that's the reason.
Also Lively agent is pretty tied with the GM.

His reasoning is Luka is the greatest, he's the reason anyone on the Mavs looked like professionals. Luka never has, and never will do wrong.

[41Dirk41]

Something that worries me about our frontline is that all of our centers cannot shoot. AD has the most ability but the guy has shot less then 25% from 3 in the last 5 seasons combined. He shot 23% from 3 with us in the small amount of games he played.

Unfortunately this kind of frontline will likely stifle Flagg's development. It's going to force Flagg to be shooting a lot of jumpers when its clear that he's more of a slasher.

Exactly, people are talking how Nba has returned to big lineups, but they're forgetting to tell that shooting 3s is more and more important. AD playing 5 is ok, but AD playing 4 with non shooting big it's not.

AD playing 4 creates other problems, what to do with PJ? Far the most logical solution would be trading AD. Second most logical is convincing him playing 5. In that case I believe Lively should be traded, one of Gafford/Lively is redundant anyway, I can't see developing Lively and paying him, if AD will eventually play only 5.

Not only that front court can't shoot, they can't create anything too and for things being worse, vast majority of Mavs roster can create much. That roster was built with Luka's system in mind. Now we have D wins championships but no offensive system.

Elite guards has no range in this NBA, until the 3s are allowed a 2 bigs lineup will always be in trouble.

[ACMFFL]

If you can't understand that changing superstar Pg for superstar big will change a lot in the team and especially in front court no matter what, then there's no need to continue. Yes health problems didn't help, but his position would have changed no matter what.

Man, sometimes you look so damn sensitive.

Actually it's pretty much the opposite: for sure the lack of a true PG on the roster won't help Lively's game, but it has nothing to do with his trade value.
He's still projected to play 20+MPG at least, I mean that's the same amount of minutes he got when Luka was there.

[Bob8]

If you can't understand that changing superstar Pg for superstar big will change a lot in the team and especially in front court no matter what, then there's no need to continue. Yes health problems didn't help, but his position would have changed no matter what.

Man, sometimes you look so damn sensitive.

Actually it's pretty much the opposite: for sure the lack of a true PG on the roster won't help Lively's game, but it has nothing to do with his trade value.
He's still projected to play 20+MPG at least, I mean that's the same amount of minutes he got when Luka was there.

Lively was projected to be a full starter besides Luka, very unlikely Gafford would stay long term because you can't put that much money on the same position.

How can he be projected the same minutes and responsibilities, if the best player is a big also?

Mavs game will change drastically, Lively was crucial in Mavs system, not only in D and providing vertical threat but in beating doubles and traps on Luka as a big capable of finding open teammates. What will his role in offensive side be now?

[Bob8]

Lively value plummeted in the moment Luka was traded for star big, his potential new contract plummeted too. That might be ok for Mavs, I doubt it's ok for Lively and his agent.

I honestly don't get your reasoning, his value plummeted cause he struggled to stay healthy, that's the reason.
Also Lively agent is pretty tied with the GM.

His reasoning is Luka is the greatest, he's the reason anyone on the Mavs looked like professionals. Luka never has, and never will do wrong.

The whole Mavs team was built around Luka. Kyrie as iso player, 3&d players and rim protection. Team build around AD should be very different, because he's good at things Luka isn't and bad in things Luka is good. Having defensive big besides AD for sure isn't a priority, like it was with Luka. On the other hand playmaking and creating becomes a big priority. Not exactly things Mavs roster excels at.

[daoneandonly]

I fixed that for you.

And we're back to Luka.

Blame daoneandonly not me. I didn’t bring him up.

You're the one that felt the need to "fix" it and quote me, so nah, leave me out of it

[daoneandonly]

Flagg, Lively, PJ, and Kyrie should be the team's focus
AD should be traded, but wont
Klay is nothing more than a bench microwave scorer at this stage, but Nico thinks he's a starter
Naji and Christie are solid bench pieces, Caleb is a waste, Hardy is not an NBA player

Gafford is a great bench big, but at this point is probably Dallas' best trade assets in terms of what they can trade, so they should field offers for guards. Agreed due to Lively and Day to Day's injury woes, another big is needed. So trade Klay or Caleb for that.

[daoneandonly]

My advice for anyone who has to constantly deal with Luka only fans

Bob8, who is currently on your ignore list, made this post.
Display this post.

[ACMFFL]

Lively was projected to be a full starter besides Luka, very unlikely Gafford would stay long term because you can't put that much money on the same position.

How can he be projected the same minutes and responsibilities, if the best player is a big also?

Mavs game will change drastically, Lively was crucial in Mavs system, not only in D and providing vertical threat but in beating doubles and traps on Luka as a big capable of finding open teammates. What will his role in offensive side be now?

You're acting like 21 years old kid is already finished product who can't improve nor expand his game.

Lively is still projected to be the full time starter at the 5 imho, there is a reason why Gafford is still trade eligible after his extension..


Lively stats with/without Luka this past season.

With: 17 games, 24.0 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 BPG, 66.6 FG%.

Without: 19 games, 22.4 MPG, 9.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.7 BPG, 73.5 FG%.


Luka elevated his game and helped him build confidence early on, but I don't think we needs an elite PG to utilize his offensive skills, just a guard capable of creating plays.
He's still talented enough to be an impact player even without Luka, he ain't Jaxson Hayes nor Dwight Powell.

[Bob8]

Lively was projected to be a full starter besides Luka, very unlikely Gafford would stay long term because you can't put that much money on the same position.

How can he be projected the same minutes and responsibilities, if the best player is a big also?

Mavs game will change drastically, Lively was crucial in Mavs system, not only in D and providing vertical threat but in beating doubles and traps on Luka as a big capable of finding open teammates. What will his role in offensive side be now?

You're acting like 21 years old kid is already finished product who can't improve nor expand his game.

Lively is still projected to be the full time starter at the 5 imho, there is a reason why Gafford is still trade eligible after his extension..


Lively stats with/without Luka this past season.

With: 17 games, 24.0 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 BPG, 66.6 FG%.

Without: 19 games, 22.4 MPG, 9.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.7 BPG, 73.5 FG%.


Luka elevated his game and helped him build confidence early on, but I don't think we needs an elite PG to utilize his offensive skills, just a guard capable of creating plays.
He's still talented enough to be an impact player even without Luka, he ain't Jaxson Hayes nor Dwight Powell.

Let's see what happens next year, we both agree 21 years old player should improve.

[Archx]

To a certain point Bob is right, Lively greatly benefited from Luka. This is from ESPN's stats.

Doncic and Dereck Lively II had the third-best impact of any duo among active players when they were teammates with the Dallas Mavericks.

Since he entered the league, Luka Doncic ranks second in assisted dunks per 100 possessions and has generated the most corner 3-point attempts of any passer in the NBA throughout his career, according to GeniusIQ.

So, yes Lively did greatly benefit BUT with that being said, i think it would still not be wise to trade him. I'll say what i said months ago, i think Gafford is the one to monitor. But we still have no clue how they'll solve Exum situation and PJ also still hasn't signed extension. There are a lot of variables in play but i would personally much rather keep PJ and Lively than almost anyone else not named Flagg.

[Bob8]

To a certain point Bob is right, Lively greatly benefited from Luka. This is from ESPN's stats.

Doncic and Dereck Lively II had the third-best impact of any duo among active players when they were teammates with the Dallas Mavericks.

Since he entered the league, Luka Doncic ranks second in assisted dunks per 100 possessions and has generated the most corner 3-point attempts of any passer in the NBA throughout his career, according to GeniusIQ.

So, yes Lively did greatly benefit BUT with that being said, i think it would still not be wise to trade him. I'll say what i said months ago, i think Gafford is the one to monitor. But we still have no clue how they'll solve Exum situation and PJ also still hasn't signed extension. There are a lot of variables in play but i would personally much rather keep PJ and Lively than almost anyone else not named Flagg.

I'm not only saying that Lively benefited from Luka, I'm also saying something more simple to understand, Mavs traded superstar Pg for superstar C, that's why Mavs best player now plays in his position, that's normally not the best thing to happen to 21 years old player. Knowing Nico's obsession with AD, he's not leaving Mavs anytime soon.

[ACMFFL]

To a certain point Bob is right, Lively greatly benefited from Luka. This is from ESPN's stats.

Doncic and Dereck Lively II had the third-best impact of any duo among active players when they were teammates with the Dallas Mavericks.

Since he entered the league, Luka Doncic ranks second in assisted dunks per 100 possessions and has generated the most corner 3-point attempts of any passer in the NBA throughout his career, according to GeniusIQ.

So, yes Lively did greatly benefit BUT with that being said, i think it would still not be wise to trade him. I'll say what i said months ago, i think Gafford is the one to monitor. But we still have no clue how they'll solve Exum situation and PJ also still hasn't signed extension. There are a lot of variables in play but i would personally much rather keep PJ and Lively than almost anyone else not named Flagg.

Of course Luka had huge impact on Lively and they did complement each other so damn well.
I only refuted the correlation between his value and the absence of Luka.
Numbers actually suggest he can indeed survive the absence of an elite passer, I mean it's not the end of the world for Dereck as Bob implied.

Agreed on Gafford, he's the most expandable among our bigs, but it wouldn't surprised me if they move PJ as well once he becomes extension-eligible on August 29th.
To be fair it makes sense to open up more minutes at the 4 for Cooper, too bad it has to be at PJ expense since AD wants to primarly play PF.
Imho best (realistic, that's the key word) scenario is to trade Gafford for shooting and split minutes between AD and Lively at the 5, it would allow PJ to play heavy minutes at the 4.

[Teffer10]

I do agree with Bob that Lively's value decreased after the Luka trade for the reasons he mentioned, but I think it went back up significantly on the day of the lottery.

Personally, I hope our win-now window is only 2 years and when the washed up vets are moved, Lively (my favorite Mav) will be an integral piece in the rebuild process centering around Flagg.

Every move Nico makes going forward has to factor the new Flagg era into the decision. In other words, dont give up any young players or draft picks unless some are coming back in the deal.

[Mavrelous]

Lively looked like the 3rd best player of his class after Wemby and Amen, I don't think he'll look like this now.
Lively played 11 games after Luka went down, 2 good games agaimst POR and TOR, the rest ranged from meh to terrible.
I'm not drawing any conclusions from this sample size, and the fact he was coming back from injury in the last 4, but I'm not comfortable with DLo being his P&R operator....

[Darren]

AD, OMax, Hardy for Turner, Kuzma and 1st.

The Mavs getting back shooting for defense. But this trade could not be done until 15 Dec. Myles Turner is from Texas and is not significant downgrades from Anthony Davis. Kuzma is overpaid but can still shoot. And the contract ends the same year as Klay.

[Darren]

Luka make Deron Wright good shooter as well. Lively couldn't be more lob target the whole career. It's about time to change.