(12-13-2025, 10:53 AM)Winter Wrote: It is interesting how we take Naji for granted. The few times he's mentioned is when we're looking at trade material. Yet, his game is almost predictably solid most nights with double digit offense and above average defense. It feels like he's been more valuable than PJ on most nights.

Klay I think has value as a role player for some playoff team, and I agree that should there be a way we can translate into another young shooter (or perhaps another center if Gafford is out-going).

(12-13-2025, 02:47 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Anyone else see this?  If I would been told five years ago the Mavs would trade for Emoni Bates in his second year in the NBA, my reactions would have been much different.

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risco, TX - The Texas Legends have acquired forward Emoni Bates from the Delaware Blue Coats in exchange for center Charles Bassey, who was awarded to Texas off league waivers earlier this week.

Bates (6’9”, 205) was selected 49th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has appeared in 26 NBA games over two seasons, averaging 3.0 points and 0.8 rebounds in 8.0 minutes per game.

In the NBA G League, Bates owns career averages of 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 57 games with Cleveland and Delaware. This season, he’s averaging 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 30.6 minutes per game while shooting 43.4% from the field.

A native of Michigan, Bates began his college career at Memphis, where he averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds, before transferring to Eastern Michigan, where he averaged 19.2 points (third in the MAC, 39th nationally) and 5.8 rebounds, earning All-MAC Third Team honors.

Bates was a consensus top-five, five-star recruit who reclassified to the Class of 2021 after a standout high school career. He won a state championship as a freshman at Lincoln High School and later transferred to Ypsi Prep Academy, where he averaged 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists as a sophomore. His accolades include MaxPreps Freshman of the Year and 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Bates will be active for Friday night’s game as the Legends return home to face the Austin Spurs at Comerica Center. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM CT.

(12-13-2025, 12:42 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I can never tell from your writing style if you are telling this to me or for the benefit of the board.  If me, recall who is was who pointed out the 'waive Exum' part to you not that long ago.

(Yesterday, 03:16 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: We have some basketball sickos.  In an off night cooper, Nembhard, Christie, Powell and Brandon Williams all went to the g league game to support to two ways guys playing.  Pretty cool.

(Yesterday, 03:16 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: We have some basketball sickos.  In an off night cooper, Nembhard, Christie, Powell and Brandon Williams all went to the g league game to support to two ways guys playing.  Pretty cool.

(Yesterday, 03:35 PM)Winter Wrote: Powell? That tells you why Powell is still around. He's got some lockerroom qualities the fans don't see.

(12-13-2025, 03:11 PM)F Gump Wrote: Your prior note about how they can waive Exum was about how to get the roster room itself. But that didn't have anything to do with the cap finances. 

What you wrote here is "Dallas moves enough under the 2nd apron to cut Exum and sign Nembhard." However, I don't see how such a cap change would change their Nembhard trajectory (which logically should be aimed at late Feb) at all.

So let me respond a different way. What difference or benefit are you saying it offers the Mavs, regarding Nembhard and what they intend to do with him, if they make a move that puts them farther under the 2nd apron?