(06-26-2023, 11:51 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I think y'all are overlooking a very real reality where Lively isn't ready, Holmes is shot, and we're stuck with McGee starting every night and playing 20mpg.

Ayton, for all of his flaws (and there really aren't a lot of them), would solidify the center position and provide Lively ample time to grow into his role. If Lively is more ready than what is previously thought, then you hit and are playing with house money given that Ayton only cost THJ+Holmes. Each year that passes is another year that is easier to move Ayton should Lively overtake him in the rotation.

In the meantime, you're adding one of 6 centers in the league that averaged 18/10. Has real playoff experience being a starter for a team that went to the finals, and isn't some slow plodding center.

Does he have motivation issues? There is a lot of evidence that he does. But there are also a lot of explanations as to why. I'd much rather run the risk of Ayton being unmotivated 50% max of the time (and have Lively cover the gaps), than hope Holmes can bounce back.

Also, THJ+Holmes is just the cost??? That's it??? I mean c'mon. That's practically free. Holmes wasn't apart of the roster last year and THJ is a great role player but isn't integral at all as evidence of the WCF run where the team didn't miss him for a single game.

(06-26-2023, 11:57 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I think you are overlooking the very real reality where Ayton suuuuuuuuuucks.

I’d rather they pick a center at random from among the posters in this community.

(06-27-2023, 12:05 AM)mvossman Wrote: Didn't we already go down this route with KP?

(06-27-2023, 12:08 AM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: My man LIKES HIM some Dwight Powell - Gotcha!

(06-27-2023, 12:12 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: This.

There are currently exactly two centers I find max-worthy, Jokic and Adebayo. Maaaaaaybe JJJ if he keeps improving.

Obviously, Embiid is on that level, talent wise, but I just couldn’t bring myself to root for that guy and all of his lazy, loser mentality. 

Ayton is so average it makes me sick. I wouldn’t want him at MLE money.

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Compared to Ayton, at their respective price points? Absofreakinglutely, and I say so with pride.

(06-27-2023, 12:17 AM)cow Wrote: I like Bam, but I wouldn't give him the max after watching a ton of him this post season.  He's still young so maybe he develops more offensively, but defenses seemed to dare him to take mid-range jumpers and he refused.  He doesn't have great touch around the rim and sometimes struggles catching passes.  I love how he passes though and he doesn't cheat you for effort.

(06-27-2023, 12:26 AM)Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo Wrote: I'm not in the camp of "AYTON SUX"
But Phoenix (at least to me) is in no position to deny McGee if the Mavs are offering them THJ+Holmes+McGee.
I'd ask Phoenix at least a second round pick if they have those.

IMHo, if the Mavs replace McGee and DP (and they needed to be replaced) with someone marginally better, I'd be okay with it.
Strengthen the 4 NOT the 5. Better yet get someone who can play both positions (and that's not Ayton).
My reasons are not even entirely salary based.

(06-27-2023, 12:37 AM)cow Wrote: I think Phoenix says no.  I think they want to be rid of Ayton but they'll want useful players in return.  THJ checks that box.  If you squint hard enough, McGee checks that box because of a prior relationship, but Holmes doesn't.  Sacramento just paid a FRP to be rid of him.  If he can't return to form, that's a body and salary they can't be rid of.  Maybe THJ + McGee + Maxi + Bullock gets that conversation started.

(06-27-2023, 12:41 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: If the rumor is to be believed, McGee was the deal breaker. Holmes and THJ worked for them, but neither team is willing to end up with McGee for financial reasons.

(06-27-2023, 12:05 AM)cow Wrote: $32,459,438
$34,005,126
$35,550,814

(06-27-2023, 12:44 AM)cow Wrote: Which rumor?

(06-27-2023, 12:47 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: The one we’ve been discussing for the past hour. 

Just a rumor, but supposedly it was THJ, Holmes and McGee for Ayton. PHX won’t do it with McGee’s money in the deal, Dallas won’t do it without the McGee dump.

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SH, I’m against paying almost ANY center that much.

(06-27-2023, 12:05 AM)mvossman Wrote: There is a reason he is potentially that cheap.  He will be clogging our cap for years at a time when that is particularly punishing with the new CBA.  I will give you another what if.  What if it becomes brutally clear that Ayton is just another center with motor problems and Lively shows he is ready for significant minutes soon.  Now you are in a position where you have to dump Ayton after his value drops further.  Didn't we already go down this route with KP?

(06-27-2023, 12:55 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: According to the Suns forums, their beat reporter Gambo said on air the deal he heard was Bullock+THJ+McGee. Does that change your mind at all?.

(06-27-2023, 01:11 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: That’s worse. Ayton, Lively Kleber AND Holmes on the books?? TWO rotation wings outgoing?

(06-27-2023, 01:22 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Right but we're shedding statistically the worse rotation player on the roster in Bullock....

Ok ok there's no shot I'm gonna convince ya tonight. SO I'm gonna say agree to disagree and we'll table the convo until you see Ayton's first 20/20 game as a Mav. 

Shifting gears, a Mavs podcast called 21 going on 77 alluded to some crazy type of trade. Their exact words were: 
Person 1: Very happy the Mavs have done what they done. We got hit with a little bit of information...maybe it happens, maybe it doesn't happen, I don't even want to speculate on it. It's so explosive that I don't even wanna speculate on it.

Person 2: I'm not going to speculate on it.

Person 1: I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to hint around it. I'm just, just like 'you know what if that shit happens, we'll giggle about it and do an emergency pod'; but it feels too good to be true. It feels fake, I'm sorry. 

Person 2: It feels fake but it makes sense based on what we know. 

Person 1: I agree (x4), 

Person 2: And when we get off I'll tell you exactly why

Person 1: And then the framework of that move just has happened, multiple times, actually. 

Person 2: Exactly. 

Person 1: So yeah, I would lose my shit. I would build a statue.

Person 2: I'd be a hypocrite

Person 1: I've already started to turn 3 weeks ago. 

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End of convo


Any ideas on what kind of deal they could be alluding to? I wouldn't classify an Ayton deal as "build a statue" worthy.

(06-27-2023, 01:30 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: Dame?

(06-27-2023, 01:31 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: The only one that really came to mind was Lebron. Especially the "3 week" part of it. Lebron rumors were flying then.

But you know who else would be a "blow your mind" type of deal? Zion.

(06-27-2023, 01:32 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: Zion actually wouldn’t surprise me that much.