Rumors, Random Thoughts, and Non-threadworthy Posts The 19th Hole

[Godaddycurse]

Getting PJ done before he learns he is coming off the bench is smart business lol.

Getting paid above the MLE is good for anyone. PJ is doing the right thing .

Secure the money first, if his role is significantly smaller in future he can reach out to the front office and see if they can trade him then.

Getting paid above MLE is great for a backup. 40M for your back up C and forward is a lot though

[daoneandonly]

PJ alone can be a very disappointing player, but PJ is the ultimate modern 4, not as good as Aaron Gordon or OG Annunobi, but gives you 80-90% of their production on both ends.

He is not nearly as good defensively imo. On offense sure

An argument can be made that PJ is the heart & soul of the Mavs team, and his presence is a big part of their identity. He has so many little things and intangibles, I think he is needed on the team more than many others.

[jayjaysee]

Getting PJ done before he learns he is coming off the bench is smart business lol.

Getting paid above the MLE is good for anyone. PJ is doing the right thing .

Secure the money first, if his role is significantly smaller in future he can reach out to the front office and see if they can trade him then.

Getting paid above MLE is great for a backup. 40M for your back up C and forward is a lot though

Will be pretty surprised if all four bigs finish 2026-2027 on the Mavs. And neither big is really a typical backup. Just a really ugly roster Dallas decided to go with.. I hope* the team decided to run everyone back this season due to Kyrie’s injury and the unknown of Flagg.

Not my favorite direction in general, obviously. But one that makes some sense.

And once you do that versus a one year tank - locking up the two bigs on market level deals, makes sense. Would be tough for either of them to be negatives long term.

Once you see where Lively/Flagg/Kyrie are, you can decide on who to keep.

[Mavrelous]

PJ alone can be a very disappointing player, but PJ is the ultimate modern 4, not as good as Aaron Gordon or OG Annunobi, but gives you 80-90% of their production on both ends.

He is not nearly as good defensively imo. On offense sure

He was a very good defender in the Mavs system, it was less than 1 year, but his impact was very evident.
Mavs were great defensively with Lively and PJ on the floor, elite when you add DJJ.

[HornetJail]

PJ is a very good player but also needs to be motivated otherwise he becomes a total nobody. Charlotte has seen him play like a near perfect 3&D stretch 4 every team craves, for long stretches, and we have also seen him play with zero heart or focus for equally long stretches. The Mavs have not seen that side of him yet. For reference, the 47 games Grant Williams played for us between the Dallas trade and his injury were quite a bit better than the 44 games PJ Washington gave us that season prior to the trade. His play upon arriving in Dallas, surprised no Hornets fan that was paying any attention to him.

I definitely think he was very energized to play for his hometown Mavs and compete for a title a year ago. I'd be a little wary handing him some big money before knowing what he really looks like on the disjointed mess that is the current post-Luka Mavs. Maybe you still reap the benefits of PJ really liking Dallas, or he just sits back, plays mediocre, and collects his paycheck. Neither would surprise me a bit.

What extension is PJ eligible for? 4/$90M or so? I'd be hesitant to give him something that high, personally.

[babyjax13]

Is there a way to get Zion to Golden State? Something like:

Kuminga (S+T) + Moody + ??? + pick(s) [26 + 28?] for Zion?

I realize it is risky - incredibly so - for Golden State, but it is something that could raise their ceiling.

Draymond/Horford/Post
Zion/Draymond
Butler/Payton(?)/Santos
Heild/Podz
Curry/Melton(?)/Podz

[parsnips33]

Is there a way to get Zion to Golden State? Something like:

Kuminga (S+T) + Moody + ??? + pick(s) [26 + 28?] for Zion?

I realize it is risky - incredibly so - for Golden State, but it is something that could raise their ceiling.

Draymond/Horford/Post
Zion/Draymond
Butler/Payton(?)/Santos
Heild/Podz
Curry/Melton(?)/Podz

If they are putting those picks in play, I imagine it'd be for someone who's a more unimpeachable fit. But he would add a new reliable scoring option, granted one who's not too dissimilar to Kuminga in terms of style. Training staff would have a hell of a job trying to keep everybody healthy

[babyjax13]

Is there a way to get Zion to Golden State? Something like:

Kuminga (S+T) + Moody + ??? + pick(s) [26 + 28?] for Zion?

I realize it is risky - incredibly so - for Golden State, but it is something that could raise their ceiling.

Draymond/Horford/Post
Zion/Draymond
Butler/Payton(?)/Santos
Heild/Podz
Curry/Melton(?)/Podz

If they are putting those picks in play, I imagine it'd be for someone who's a more unimpeachable fit. But he would add a new reliable scoring option, granted one who's not too dissimilar to Kuminga in terms of style. Training staff would have a hell of a job trying to keep everybody healthy

The problem is money. Zion makes a bit less than other options, but maybe this is the Trey Murphy offer, which does seem a lot cleaner in terms of fit and money.

[Devilanche]

Getting paid above the MLE is good for anyone. PJ is doing the right thing .

Secure the money first, if his role is significantly smaller in future he can reach out to the front office and see if they can trade him then.

Getting paid above MLE is great for a backup. 40M for your back up C and forward is a lot though

Will be pretty surprised if all four bigs finish 2026-2027 on the Mavs. And neither big is really a typical backup. Just a really ugly roster Dallas decided to go with.. I hope* the team decided to run everyone back this season due to Kyrie’s injury and the unknown of Flagg.

Not my favorite direction in general, obviously. But one that makes some sense.

And once you do that versus a one year tank - locking up the two bigs on market level deals, makes sense. Would be tough for either of them to be negatives long term.

Once you see where Lively/Flagg/Kyrie are, you can decide on who to keep.

Yeap, see Flagg his rookie year and let the rest recover this season before going hard next season based on what Flagg shows .

Lively and AD will probably miss some games and Flagg minutes will probably be lower abit his rookie year vs his sophomore year. So that cover the minutes for Flagg/AD/PJ/Lively/Gafford.

Play Flagg /PJ some small minutes at SF if Flagg shows out early and everyone is healthy.

Trade either Gafford or PJ at trade deadline or next offseason.

[jayjaysee]

Getting paid above MLE is great for a backup. 40M for your back up C and forward is a lot though

Will be pretty surprised if all four bigs finish 2026-2027 on the Mavs. And neither big is really a typical backup. Just a really ugly roster Dallas decided to go with.. I hope* the team decided to run everyone back this season due to Kyrie’s injury and the unknown of Flagg.

Not my favorite direction in general, obviously. But one that makes some sense.

And once you do that versus a one year tank - locking up the two bigs on market level deals, makes sense. Would be tough for either of them to be negatives long term.

Once you see where Lively/Flagg/Kyrie are, you can decide on who to keep.

Yeap, see Flagg his rookie year and let the rest recover this season before going hard next season based on what Flagg shows .

Lively and AD will probably miss some games and Flagg minutes will probably be lower abit his rookie year vs his sophomore year. So that cover the minutes for Flagg/AD/PJ/Lively/Gafford.

Play Flagg /PJ some small minutes at SF if Flagg shows out early and everyone is healthy.

Trade either Gafford or PJ at trade deadline or next offseason.

Yeah, not pretending I agree with the plan. Just think if you convince yourself to compete with AD/Kyrie.. then what Dallas has done makes sense. And the two extensions should age well. So they shouldn’t be graded on the fact that the plan is going to fail and Dallas is going to have to crawl into the play-in.. they should just be graded on the fair/good market value they are (at least imo).. Lively’s rookie contract helps buy some time on picking a real direction.

But trading AD/Naji/Gafford for “3-5 firsts” and finishing with a bottom 6 record.. would’ve set Dallas up a lot better long term.

[OutsidetheNBA]

Is there a way to get Zion to Golden State? Something like:

Kuminga (S+T) + Moody + ??? + pick(s) [26 + 28?] for Zion?

I realize it is risky - incredibly so - for Golden State, but it is something that could raise their ceiling.

Draymond/Horford/Post
Zion/Draymond
Butler/Payton(?)/Santos
Heild/Podz
Curry/Melton(?)/Podz

If they are putting those picks in play, I imagine it'd be for someone who's a more unimpeachable fit. But he would add a new reliable scoring option, granted one who's not too dissimilar to Kuminga in terms of style. Training staff would have a hell of a job trying to keep everybody healthy

The problem is money. Zion makes a bit less than other options, but maybe this is the Trey Murphy offer, which does seem a lot cleaner in terms of fit and money.

If you assume the Pelicans are acting rationally , then they won't be selling this season. They traded their unprotected '26 1st presumably because they plan to make the playoffs this year. Moving Zion or Murphy for Kuminga + picks would mostly benefit the Hawks.

[babyjax13]

If they are putting those picks in play, I imagine it'd be for someone who's a more unimpeachable fit. But he would add a new reliable scoring option, granted one who's not too dissimilar to Kuminga in terms of style. Training staff would have a hell of a job trying to keep everybody healthy

The problem is money. Zion makes a bit less than other options, but maybe this is the Trey Murphy offer, which does seem a lot cleaner in terms of fit and money.

If you assume the Pelicans are acting rationally , then they won't be selling this season. They traded their unprotected '26 1st presumably because they plan to make the playoffs this year. Moving Zion or Murphy for Kuminga + picks would mostly benefit the Hawks.

I assume they are the dumbest organization in the history of the league given that they traded the 2026 pick.

[Diop]

Pj doesn't mind coming off the bench either

[Devilanche]

But trading AD/Naji/Gafford for “3-5 firsts” and finishing with a bottom 6 record.. would’ve set Dallas up a lot better long term.

I’m a fan of the nuke it and tank approach . Sell everyone of value and replace them with youngsters , overpaid veterans /back from injuries veterans/veterans looking for next role (within reasons) .

Some teams aren’t tanking teams though . Teams like Chicago / Indiana / Dallas /Utah (heh)

[daoneandonly]

Is there a 3 team trade out there where Dallas can turn Gaff or Naji into brandin podziemski or keyonte george. Not a huge fan of either guy, actually like the Mavs guys more, but more of a fit and position of need issue

[JHFVF07]

I think both teams would benefit from a Castle or Harper plus salary for AD.

[daoneandonly]

I think both teams would benefit from a Castle or Harper plus salary for AD.

AGree wholeheartedly. Jay and I have been pushing for it for quite a while. But Nico Nitwit is too stupid to see it

[jayjaysee]

Looking at the Spurs… what is Vassell worth? I am sure Dallas fans tried it. And he’s not some great solution for Dallas.. But just looking at the salary pieces seems like there could be a fit*

If Vassell is seen as a good asset, then never mind.. I just don’t think he would be.

[daoneandonly]

Looking at the Spurs… what is Vassell worth? I am sure Dallas fans tried it. And he’s not some great solution for Dallas.. But just looking at the salary pieces seems like there could be a fit*

If Vassell is seen as a good asset, then never mind.. I just don’t think he would be.

Good question. To me, he's hard to gauge. I personally see him as maybe a tier or tier and a half above RJ, all things considered, so I wouldn't give up Gaff and Naji for him. But if we can unload Klay or Martin, and maybe one of those guys if necessary, it's worth considering. Dallas should begin any discussion by trying to extinguish that '30 pick swap that should have never been.

[jayjaysee]

Looking at the Spurs… what is Vassell worth? I am sure Dallas fans tried it. And he’s not some great solution for Dallas.. But just looking at the salary pieces seems like there could be a fit*

If Vassell is seen as a good asset, then never mind.. I just don’t think he would be.

Good question. To me, he's hard to gauge. I personally see him as maybe a tier or tier and a half above RJ, all things considered, so I wouldn't give up Gaff and Naji for him. But if we can unload Klay or Martin, and maybe one of those guys if necessary, it's worth considering. Dallas should begin any discussion by trying to extinguish that '30 pick swap that should have never been.

Yeah, I was thinking Klay/Naji/Powell. But I wasn’t sure honestly.

Felt like Klay is a fine enough stopgap for a year to provide spacing and see how Harper/Castle develop, then they can flip his expiring with other salaries? Naji is good. And it trims the back 2 years of Vassell.

For Dallas, you hope Vassell bounces back? That gives Dallas the second apron space to sign Exum and leaves enough room for an aggregated smaller salary later in the season.. or just trade Prosper and you have enough room for two vet mins..

The 2030 swap is mostly a sunk cost to me. Dallas is going to look so different by then that Dallas shouldn’t use value to get that back..