Thoughts in General, Rumors, etc 5.0

[Texas Chuck]

The Mavs don't want to trade Brunson. And both MacMahon and Stein--the two best connected guys to Dallas have reported they won't unless some team makes a "stupid" offer.

And again on Kemba, I understand all of the concerns. Just not the vitriol with which they have been expressed as all. They act like he's Rondo immediately after quitting on Dallas with the hands of Erick Dampier, the size of JJ Barea, and the athleticism of old man Dirk.

Instead he's a guy with bad knees who is still a useful offensive player in a limited backup role which is all he would ever have in Dallas. And in the context of a Randle trade, he's insignificant.

That's all.

But Dallas isn't trading Brunson unless a team gets stupid. And I can't see a team getting stupid for him, can you?

I wish the Clippers could get stupid for Brunson. He's the exact type of point guard we're missing.

Regardless, it's just baffling that his name is even being put out there in the media, even if they're only holding out for some unrealistic Godfather offer that's not coming. I don't see what the benefit of that is vs. just staying quiet and being happy you have a player like that to pair with Luka.

Other teams expressing interest is very different from Dallas shopping him around the league.

Why are you concluding Dallas is shopping him?

[Ell Curry]

I think the issue is that Kemba might be completely unplayable in a playoff series at this point defensively. Just get hunted every possession like Huerter on Seth Curry but worse.

That's an insult to Huerter, who was lighting Curry up just as much on the other end. I think Kemba will look more like Rondo in last year's playoffs, just completely and utterly washed on all levels, and the other team salivating at their inevitable quick 10-0 run whenever he checks into the game.

I think you read this wrong? I meant Huerter lit up Curry.

[MartinToVaught]

I think the issue is that Kemba might be completely unplayable in a playoff series at this point defensively. Just get hunted every possession like Huerter on Seth Curry but worse.

That's an insult to Huerter, who was lighting Curry up just as much on the other end. I think Kemba will look more like Rondo in last year's playoffs, just completely and utterly washed on all levels, and the other team salivating at their inevitable quick 10-0 run whenever he checks into the game.

I think you read this wrong? I meant Huerter lit up Curry.

My bad.

[HartfordWhalers]

Thybulle was injured today.

[Troubadour]

Nets are now in the 7th seed. Is fixing that team as simple as Durant getting healthy or is there something larger wrong there?

[loserX]

Nets are now in the 7th seed. Is fixing that team as simple as Durant getting healthy or is there something larger wrong there?

Durant getting healthy would help a *lot*...but Kyrie is currently a part-time player and Harden is currently a part-time tryer. Winning cures a lot of ills and it's possible we forget all about this, but the team could use an infusion of leadership IMO.

[Troubadour]

Nets are now in the 7th seed. Is fixing that team as simple as Durant getting healthy or is there something larger wrong there?

Durant getting healthy would help a *lot*...but Kyrie is currently a part-time player and Harden is currently a part-time tryer. Winning cures a lot of ills and it's possible we forget all about this, but the team could use an infusion of leadership IMO.

Well, for my Raptors' sake, I hope that infusion comes after the season.

[Scoot McGroot]

Woj, post-LeVert trade:

Read on Twitter

Obviously that would be great for Woj's twitter feed We'll see if that's what actually come to pass!

Didn't know LeVert was from Ohio, that's kind of cool.

Since Indy got rid of playmaking in LeVert, I'm think Turner gets moved or Sabonis is moved for a playmaker..
Sabonis for Fox.. It seems more possible now.

Giving up Sabonis for Fox sounds counterproductive. Sabonis is a premiere playmaker. Are you just intending “guard” instead of playmaker?

[HartfordWhalers]

Eric Gordon is not playing today.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Eric Gordon is not playing today.

With Cleveland off the board I’d bet they are trying to get something done with Phoenix. And/or don’t want him to get hurt.

[Patsfan1081]

My fellow Mavs fans overwhelming hatred for Kemba Walker continues to baffle me. Especially in the context of the proposed idea where he's simply a stopgap replacement very needed if Brunson is dealt.

He's an MLE guy, not a max guy. And yes he's negative value. And yes he's no longer an all-star. But as a guy who plays 15 mpg while Luka rests he's still a capable offensive player especially against other benches.

Just feel like the narrative against him is way stronger than how negative his value actually is. It's like how other fanbases talk about Dwight Powell. They just aren't as horrible either on the court or as contracts as they get painted here.

Really don't understand the hyperbole.

Well he's always been a putrid defender, so now that his offense is barely average I think having him on the floor at all is a negative. Not to mention Randle is a horrible fit with Luka and KP, so don't see why Dallas has to pay anything more for this pleasure. THJ's contract goes down each year

This is a exaggeration. He’s considered a horrid defender on this board because of his size, but as a man defender he isnt horrid, its just on switches his size becomes a issue. He’s not someone like Kyrie though that doesnt give the effort at times. The main problem is because of his injury he’s lost his burst, so he cant be a starting pg on a contender, but as a backup he’d be better than average. He’s a upgrade over Burke or Ntilinkina….

[Mamba4Goat]

If Portland trades CJ would something along the lines of Sexton to Portland, Nurk to Charlotte, and PJ Washington to Cleveland with assets and fillers going wherever make sense or does Simons make Sexton a weird acquisition with both hitting FA this offseason?

[K_chile22]

Eric Gordon is not playing today.

With Cleveland off the board I’d bet they are trying to get something done with Phoenix. And/or don’t want him to get hurt.

No no no, he's just got foot soreness that happened this morning and Silas knows nothing about

[K_chile22]

Nets are now in the 7th seed. Is fixing that team as simple as Durant getting healthy or is there something larger wrong there?

Durant getting healthy would help a *lot*...but Kyrie is currently a part-time player and Harden is currently a part-time tryer. Winning cures a lot of ills and it's possible we forget all about this, but the team could use an infusion of leadership IMO.

Well, for my Raptors' sake, I hope that infusion comes after the season.

For my rockets sake I hope it never happens

[Diop]

My fellow Mavs fans overwhelming hatred for Kemba Walker continues to baffle me. Especially in the context of the proposed idea where he's simply a stopgap replacement very needed if Brunson is dealt.

He's an MLE guy, not a max guy. And yes he's negative value. And yes he's no longer an all-star. But as a guy who plays 15 mpg while Luka rests he's still a capable offensive player especially against other benches.

Just feel like the narrative against him is way stronger than how negative his value actually is. It's like how other fanbases talk about Dwight Powell. They just aren't as horrible either on the court or as contracts as they get painted here.

Really don't understand the hyperbole.

Well he's always been a putrid defender, so now that his offense is barely average I think having him on the floor at all is a negative. Not to mention Randle is a horrible fit with Luka and KP, so don't see why Dallas has to pay anything more for this pleasure. THJ's contract goes down each year

This is a exaggeration. He’s considered a horrid defender on this board because of his size, but as a man defender he isnt horrid, its just on switches his size becomes a issue. He’s not someone like Kyrie though that doesnt give the effort at times. The main problem is because of his injury he’s lost his burst, so he cant be a starting pg on a contender, but as a backup he’d be better than average. He’s a upgrade over Burke or Ntilinkina….

i remember Kemba used to excel at drawing charges, I'm not sure if he still does that anymore.
It's sort of sad that his best years were wasted in the obscurity of Charlotte.

[zimpy27]

Woj, post-LeVert trade:

Read on Twitter

Obviously that would be great for Woj's twitter feed We'll see if that's what actually come to pass!

Didn't know LeVert was from Ohio, that's kind of cool.

Since Indy got rid of playmaking in LeVert, I'm think Turner gets moved or Sabonis is moved for a playmaker..
Sabonis for Fox.. It seems more possible now.

Giving up Sabonis for Fox sounds counterproductive. Sabonis is a premiere playmaker. Are you just intending “guard” instead of playmaker?

No my point is that if Sabonis is traded then it likely needs to be for playmaking since Pacers just moved LeVert.

I think Kings want Sabonis and they want to move Fox on. I think Fox would fit as a PG and Brogdon as an SG.
I see a fit between these teams but Indy needs compensation.

[zimpy27]

Eric Gordon is not playing today.

With Cleveland off the board I’d bet they are trying to get something done with Phoenix. And/or don’t want him to get hurt.

I think Pelicans are keen, maybe they'd move Hart for him.

[Scoot McGroot]

Didn't know LeVert was from Ohio, that's kind of cool.

Since Indy got rid of playmaking in LeVert, I'm think Turner gets moved or Sabonis is moved for a playmaker..
Sabonis for Fox.. It seems more possible now.

Giving up Sabonis for Fox sounds counterproductive. Sabonis is a premiere playmaker. Are you just intending “guard” instead of playmaker?

No my point is that if Sabonis is traded then it likely needs to be for playmaking since Pacers just moved LeVert.

I think Kings want Sabonis and they want to move Fox on. I think Fox would fit as a PG and Brogdon as an SG.
I see a fit between these teams but Indy needs compensation.

But, at that point, why not stay cheaper and have the equal or better playmaker in Sabonis?

This is why I see a Turner/Davion Mitchell swap as more likely.

[zimpy27]

Giving up Sabonis for Fox sounds counterproductive. Sabonis is a premiere playmaker. Are you just intending “guard” instead of playmaker?

No my point is that if Sabonis is traded then it likely needs to be for playmaking since Pacers just moved LeVert.

I think Kings want Sabonis and they want to move Fox on. I think Fox would fit as a PG and Brogdon as an SG.
I see a fit between these teams but Indy needs compensation.

But, at that point, why not stay cheaper and have the equal or better playmaker in Sabonis?

This is why I see a Turner/Davion Mitchell swap as more likely.

For Indy? I think that is better for short term wins but my sense from the Levert trade is that Indy is looking to build a little more longterm.

[Scoot McGroot]

No my point is that if Sabonis is traded then it likely needs to be for playmaking since Pacers just moved LeVert.

I think Kings want Sabonis and they want to move Fox on. I think Fox would fit as a PG and Brogdon as an SG.
I see a fit between these teams but Indy needs compensation.

But, at that point, why not stay cheaper and have the equal or better playmaker in Sabonis?

This is why I see a Turner/Davion Mitchell swap as more likely.

For Indy? I think that is better for short term wins but my sense from the Levert trade is that Indy is looking to build a little more longterm.

I don’t follow. Seems like it’s better than getting worse and more expensive while trading your best piece.