Thoughts in General, Rumors, etc 4.0

[LAL1947]

More ranting and whining from Gambling Bob, but if this is true, then Nelson should have been fire don the spot on draft day 2020. It was a dreadful day for the Mavs regardless, Josh Green has been nothing short of suck so far, and Terry isnt even on the team anymore. Meanwhile guys like Bey and Bane are doing quite well

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/25/haralabos-voulgaris-mavericks-gm-donnie-nelson-got-upset-disappeared-during-2020-draft/

It's not a good look for both. Sounds like Donnie definitely could have done better as GM... but after actually listening to Gambling Bob's interview and what he has to say, how he says it, the way he thinks, as well as his voice/intonations... it seems to me like he's a bit of a C-word. Might even be quite a large one and not just a little one.

No doubt all signs point to him being a world class jerk, and I've always maintained that Cuban was and is one as well, and this kind of proves that for him bringing this guy in the first place.

Can't speak about Cuban... but "jerk" is putting it mildly when it comes to Voulgaris. Having listened to his interview, can you imagine having to work with someone like that? Or to include them in anything team-related?

There's no way I'd have been able to work with someone as self-obsessed as that... and not go mental. So, if I couldn't... then I can't imagine that poor ole Donnie would.

[NYG]

I dunno. I don't feel like there is urgency to move him. I'd wager on or after December 15th as more pieces could be moved.

I could see it being one of those "meh... alright." kind of deal from each side like Bagley for Thaddeus Young. Only concern would be Tim Duncan turns Bagley into a starting big.

I thought Duncan left their coaching staff? Or did he come back?

Oh, you're right. I must have missed that.

[MoneyTalks41890]

So the Hornets offered Bridges 4/60, should they have gone to 80 and would he have taken it?

[Texas Chuck]

In hindsight, yes and maybe? I'm not sold this is really who he is offensively so locking up $80M feels pretty reasonable. But I could see him choosing to gamble as one of the more attractive free agents this coming off-season.

[eminence]

Thoughts on guard targets for GS with Poole struggling out of the gate?

Team has potential packages for pretty much any level of target, but seems reluctant to go for the top end guys.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Man, that's tough. Going to be hard to assess what the Bulls have going forward in him.

Should result in a DJJ+ trade.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Thoughts on guard targets for GS with Poole struggling out of the gate?

Team has potential packages for pretty much any level of target, but seems reluctant to go for the top end guys.

My impression is that they should let their current guys work it out a little. Poole was a bit overhyped but I think he will still be a good rotation guy for GS. And I think they should find ways to get Moody more burn.

[eminence]

Oof, that sucks for Williams and the Bulls.

[Texas Chuck]

Williams news really sucks. So I agree the DJJ/White/Brown package should be shopped around for some forward help. If they didn't want to spend more assets I would have suggested Kuzma as a nice option, but my Kuzma thread from yesterday certainly suggests Wizards fans at least aren't open to him. And they can't be the Thad team so he's out.

What other solid vet forwards are available for not too much?

[psman2]

Williams news really sucks. So I agree the DJJ/White/Brown package should be shopped around for some forward help. If they didn't want to spend more assets I would have suggested Kuzma as a nice option, but my Kuzma thread from yesterday certainly suggests Wizards fans at least aren't open to him. And they can't be the Thad team so he's out.

What other solid vet forwards are available for not too much?

What about Clarke. Memphis gets the right to swap the worst of their 3 1sts (Mem, LAL, Utah) for the better pick out of Chicago or Portland 1st. So a chance to turn pick 27ish (Utah) to pick around 16-18ish.

Anderson could be swapped in here too.

[eminence]

Thoughts on guard targets for GS with Poole struggling out of the gate?

Team has potential packages for pretty much any level of target, but seems reluctant to go for the top end guys.

My impression is that they should let their current guys work it out a little. Poole was a bit overhyped but I think he will still be a good rotation guy for GS. And I think they should find ways to get Moody more burn.

Fair, I'm also expecting Poole will get to alright, though he's been quite bad so far. Moody I wouldn't mind getting more burn, but he's probably worse than anybody they'd play him over (thought maybe his shooting is enough to give him a shot over Andre/JTA in certain lineups).

[LAL1947]

Thoughts on guard targets for GS with Poole struggling out of the gate?

Team has potential packages for pretty much any level of target, but seems reluctant to go for the top end guys.

I think GSW need a Center like Porzingis, except some fans here are too anti-Porzingis for no good reason. He's literally the perfect Center to compliment Curry + Klay + Dray, when all three are back on the court together, with his ability to shoot from deep and space the floor on offense. He's been protecting the rim well... while other defensive deficiencies will be covered by Draymond. Curry's and Dray's play-making helps even scrubs look good... imagine how they will impact someone like Porzingis, who is a big with actual attacking talent.

So make Dallas an offer they can't refuse.

Like KP + THJ + Brunson for Wiggins + Kuminga + Wiseman + Poole.

Each of these three guys fills a need at GSW. If not THJ, then Reggie Bullock could replace him in the trade, in December. THJ is the better scorer + shooter, but it's up to GSW.

Curry, THJ, Klay, Dray, Porzingis
(or)
Curry, Klay, Bullock, Dray, Porzingis

Next 5: Brunson, Lee, Otto/Iggy, Looney, Bjelica

Y'all could literally run circles around other teams on offense with that starting 5... even more than the Nets were doing in last year's playoffs. I can't see any other team offering GSW players that fit how they play so good, giving GSW their best chance of winning titles in the next 2-3 years. Dallas is getting more value out of this deal, of course, but why else would they help GSW build a team that the Mavs themselves will have no chance beating in the next 2-3 years? The Mavs only do it in the hope that Kuminga and Wiseman come good in 2-3 years, allowing them to then have their own realistic shot at titles.

[eminence]

A) Are Barnes and the Mavs on speaking terms?

B) What (if anything) would the Mavs be willing to add to DFS/Kleber to get Barnes?

[Texas Chuck]

A) Are Barnes and the Mavs on speaking terms?

B) What (if anything) would the Mavs be willing to add to DFS/Kleber to get Barnes?

I mean they probably don't speak--tampering and all that. And mostly new leadership though Finley and Grant are still around. But I don't expect there to be any reason either side would be opposed to a reunion. Or if there is a reason I'm unaware of it.

But I've have to think long and hard about DFS/Kleber for him before we even talked incentive. He is the best player. And a great guy. So I realize Dallas probably "should" do that. But I simply am unable to be objective on Maxi/DFS. Other posters will have to weigh in I guess lol.

[LAL1947]

I wouldn't trade DFS and Kleber for Barnes. You're not alone there, Chuck, I think they're real good role-players too. Worth a lot more together than Barnes is by himself.

[kalenclayton]

I wouldn't trade DFS and Kleber for Barnes. You're not alone there, Chuck, I think they're real good role-players too. Worth a lot more together than Barnes is by himself.

I would tell you that these two teams are not a good match if that’s the package. The Kings will not split up their top-end talent. They need more top-end talent.

[LAL1947]

I wouldn't trade DFS and Kleber for Barnes. You're not alone there, Chuck, I think they're real good role-players too. Worth a lot more together than Barnes is by himself.

I would tell you that these two teams are not a good match if that’s the package. The Kings will not split up their top-end talent. They need more top-end talent.

That's a fair point. It doesn't make sense for either team IMO.

[Godaddycurse]

I wouldn't trade DFS and Kleber for Barnes. You're not alone there, Chuck, I think they're real good role-players too. Worth a lot more together than Barnes is by himself.

I would tell you that these two teams are not a good match if that’s the package. The Kings will not split up their top-end talent. They need more top-end talent.

Barnes is not top end talent..

[LAL1947]

I wouldn't trade DFS and Kleber for Barnes. You're not alone there, Chuck, I think they're real good role-players too. Worth a lot more together than Barnes is by himself.

I would tell you that these two teams are not a good match if that’s the package. The Kings will not split up their top-end talent. They need more top-end talent.

Barnes is not top end talent..

I think the point he's trying to make is that the Kings would want a better starting player than Barnes in return, if they were to trade him. DFS and Kleber are known quantities, of value to the Mavs who have a very thin roster, but probably not as valuable to the Kings.

Edit: While typing this out though, I'm not so sure they wouldn't improve the Kings. That's a pretty good starting 5... provided Fox and Haliburton continue improving as the "stars" of the team.

Fox
Haliburton
DFS
Kleber
Holmes

I like that better than what the Kings are rolling with now.

[kalenclayton]

I would tell you that these two teams are not a good match if that’s the package. The Kings will not split up their top-end talent. They need more top-end talent.

Barnes is not top end talent..

I think the point he's trying to make is that the Kings would want a better overall player than Barnes in return, if they were to trade him. DFS and Kleber are known quantities, of value to the Mavs, but probably not as valuable to the Kings.

While typing this out though, I'm not so sure they wouldn't improve the Kings. That's a pretty good starting 5... provided Fox and Haliburton continue improving as the "stars" of the team.

Fox
Haliburton
DFS
Kleber
Holmes

While I think that starting 5 is good and probably better than the current one, I think a better way to upgrade the team would be to upgrade the starting 4 position instead of diluting an asset in Barnes. The Kings have the means to do that and they should go that route.

@Godaddycurse I didn’t say that Barnes was top end talent. I specifically said “their top-end talent” when speaking about the Kings. He is undoubtedly in the Kings top-3 players and has played like the most important player on the team this season.