Mavs To Make Khris Middleton, Kemba Walker Primary Focus In Free Agency

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Dallas Mavericks intend to pursue Khris Middleton and Kemba Walker with the hopes they will sign one of them.

The Mavericks have also been linked with Nikola Vucevic, but shooters, athleticism and veterans are the priorities.

The Mavericks will also manage the restricted free agency of Kristaps Porzingis.

Via Marc Stein/New York Times

[LukaMagic]

This upcoming free agency smells like another Harrison Barnes/Chandler Parsons/Wesley Matthews blunder for the Mavs.

[nedleeds]

Kemba Walker is exactly the point guard I don't want to pair with Luka. An inefficient chucker who doesn't defend. The Mavs should first walk up to Klay Thompson's house with a truck of money. Next after the Pelicans trade AD try to get Jrue Holiday for matching salary and the carcass of their picks.

[Nazrmohamed]

Why are the Mavs on the market for a PG. They just traded away thier PB to the Knicks to make room or to feature Doncic at PG. Why would they then go out and sign max player competition at that position. They need a SG and a C depending on how they view KP

[Pickled Prunes]

Why are the Mavs on the market for a PG. They just traded away thier PB to the Knicks to make room or to feature Doncic at PG. Why would they then go out and sign max player competition at that position. They need a SG and a C depending on how they view KP

Middleton is a SF and Kemba can play off ball.... and Luca is a point forward. You are what you guard and you don't really want Luca chasing PG's around all game.

[Rek]

Why are the Mavs on the market for a PG. They just traded away thier PB to the Knicks to make room or to feature Doncic at PG. Why would they then go out and sign max player competition at that position. They need a SG and a C depending on how they view KP

Middleton is a SF and Kemba can play off ball.... and Luca is a point forward. You are what you guard and you don't really want Luca chasing PG's around all game.

Yup, all of that and the fact that Smith Jr. isn't a consistent shooter and seems to have a less than desirable attitude according to some reports. If they were happy with the kid, they would have kept him.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

not kemba, not khris - aim higher: Harris .. unattainable Ks ..and .. yeah .. Vuc .. otherwise $30m of one-years and wait

[GeorgeMarcus]

not kemba, not khris - aim higher: Harris .. unattainable Ks ..and .. yeah .. Vuc .. otherwise $30m of one-years and wait

You consider Harris to be higher than Kemba/Middleton? I would think roughly same level as Middleton, and a clear tier below Kemba.

[Mwd1981]

Kemba Walker is exactly the point guard I don't want to pair with Luka. An inefficient chucker who doesn't defend. The Mavs should first walk up to Klay Thompson's house with a truck of money. Next after the Pelicans trade AD try to get Jrue Holiday for matching salary and the carcass of their picks.

Kemba is efficient and you would figure he would get more efficient next to Luka and KP type talent.

[Mwd1981]

not kemba, not khris - aim higher: Harris .. unattainable Ks ..and .. yeah .. Vuc .. otherwise $30m of one-years and wait

You consider Harris to be higher than Kemba/Middleton? I would think roughly same level as Middleton, and a clear tier below Kemba.

I’d take Harris over Kemba. His game and contract will age better. I think Dallas would have 2 plans. One for if they have a draft pick, and one if they don’t.

[deeps6x]

said no one working for the Mavs for fear of tampering.

Why doesn't the author say the Mavs will also go after KD and Kawhi? Just throw in all of the top 20 free agents.

Garbage story.

[gh123]

Middleton - sure, Kemba - pass.

[bran muffin]

Kemba & Middleton are both represented by Jeff Schwartz. Jeff Schwartz has a very close relationship with Mark Cuban. Jeff's client list is littered with Mavs and former Mavs.

In all likelihood, this "rumor" is being leaked by the Mavs & Schwartz to help drive up interest in his clients. They would be doing this even if the Mavs had no real interest in signing these players.

The Mavs run a very tight ship, and rarely leak their intentions unless it serves their own interest. Most of the time their big roster moves come out of nowhere without warning. Like trading for Luka and Porzingis last season.

[Stillwater]

Considering both of these players are the least likely to leave I don't see it.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

not kemba, not khris - aim higher: Harris .. unattainable Ks ..and .. yeah .. Vuc .. otherwise $30m of one-years and wait

You consider Harris to be higher than Kemba/Middleton? I would think roughly same level as Middleton, and a clear tier below Kemba.

I’d take Harris over Kemba. His game and contract will age better. I think Dallas would have 2 plans. One for if they have a draft pick, and one if they don’t.

Yes, imo, this is very right

[GeorgeMarcus]

You consider Harris to be higher than Kemba/Middleton? I would think roughly same level as Middleton, and a clear tier below Kemba.

I’d take Harris over Kemba. His game and contract will age better. I think Dallas would have 2 plans. One for if they have a draft pick, and one if they don’t.

Yes, imo, this is very right

I'll tell you what... We'll let you take Harris if we can sign Kemba in his stead

[ShazamDaShiznt]

If I were them I wouldn't play for that racist owner, I am sure other teams will be offering same money

[Rashidi]

This was leaked by the agent. Kemba is too ball dominant to play with Luka.

Kemba-Middleton-Luka-Porzingis-Vucevic might be fun to think about on paper but there's only one ball and someone's going to have to defend it on the other end.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

I’d take Harris over Kemba. His game and contract will age better. I think Dallas would have 2 plans. One for if they have a draft pick, and one if they don’t.

Yes, imo, this is very right

I'll tell you what... We'll let you take Harris if we can sign Kemba in his stead

haha .. yeah, but no .. I could have written that better but I was agreeing with the point that things look very different depending on whether the Mavs have a draft pick or not. Between 6.9m and 9.7m of salary cap hold (as against somewhere between #9 and #13 salary) .. and obviously if the Mavs have a pick the attractiveness of various FAs changes depending on they choose.

But, regardless of age, money and so on, and actual evaluation of "abstract" goodness, I still think Harris would help the Mavs more than Walker next year. But, then again, I can see that it's reasonable to have the opposite view.

[haste10176]

Yes, imo, this is very right

I'll tell you what... We'll let you take Harris if we can sign Kemba in his stead

haha .. yeah, but no .. I could have written that better but I was agreeing with the point that things look very different depending on whether the Mavs have a draft pick or not. Between 6.9m and 9.7m of salary cap hold (as against somewhere between #9 and #13 salary) .. and obviously if the Mavs have a pick the attractiveness of various FAs changes depending on they choose.

But, regardless of age, money and so on, and actual evaluation of "abstract" goodness, I still think Harris would help the Mavs more than Walker next year. But, then again, I can see that it's reasonable to have the opposite view.

You guys are all crazy Middleton is by far the better player especially when you have Luka.. Middleton is an elite defender and an elite three point shooter.. Kemba can not defend anyone is a decent shooter can play make but what for you have Luka.. Harris is a decent shooter and an average defender probably actually bad for his size.. Even if I am the Lakers if I can not get Kawhi and then KD and Kyrie sign with NY as expected I would go for Middleton and trade for Beal... Because two of the best three point shooters in the league that can defend.. Come on..