(07-13-2023, 01:08 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Hard to assume that Lively will be ready in 2 years. He's talented and the chance is there, but I doubt that he can be a championship caliber center in 2 years.

Poeltl is closer to that and he's worth a first. If Lively does somehow turn into that, then great, we can either flip Poeltl for someone or Lively for even more.

(07-13-2023, 01:25 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Although if I have Luka + Kyrie, and I'm trying to win this year, I'd rather not go into a season full of maybes

(07-13-2023, 01:35 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: After listening to Cuban, I'm think they are planning for Holmes to be the starter.

I also think they want to get Lively consistent playing time, whether with the Mavs or their G-league team.  Just helps accelerate his development.  And who knows?  Maybe he can earn 20 minutes a night.

(07-13-2023, 01:34 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I'm glad you see how I feel about the pick. I made my feelings very well known about Lively. I am 100% sure the Mavs feel the opposite right now, and I could very well be wrong, but what I saw in Summer League hasn't exactly changed my mind.

The potential is definitely there. The idea of Lively is exactly what the Mavs need. I also tried to walk back my doom and gloom outlook to give the guy a fair chance against real NBA players. That hasn't changed. I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible, but I think Lively is a big project.

And I don't think he's good enough to forego getting a starting center that can play 30mpg because it could stunt his development. 

Like I said, I'm going to give it time and see how he looks with a maestro in the PnR. Maybe that's all he needs.

(07-13-2023, 01:39 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: Every season, every team, every position is full of maybes.  Get used to it.

For a team to win a championship, a bunch of maybes have to line up exactly right.

(07-13-2023, 01:25 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Agreed on doubting about this situation. But just to keep the conversation going, I think where you and I differ is the likelihood that Lively will develop linearly and be ready by year 3. After watching him in summer league, I see a very raw guy. One that needs some time, maybe 4 years time. 

But then again this is all conjecture. Maybe all Lively needs is a good PG to set him up and he'll look a lot better. Maybe he gets the hang of NBA defenses and learns the tricks of the trade so he doesn't foul out. 

Although if I have Luka + Kyrie, and I'm trying to win this year, I'd rather not go into a season full of maybes

(07-13-2023, 01:30 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Speaking of that topic, I’ve been thinking a bit about lineups and I’ve come to the conclusion that the closing lineup is going to be Maxi/GWill/Josh/Kyrie/Luka.  Picks for Luka can come from anywhere (in fact I like Williams’ potential to set picks with Maxi camped in the corner), They all shoot well from outside.  Everyone can pass well on the short roll and until Lively/OMax are ready, this is as much D as you can put on the floor at any given time.  I suspect we’ll return to being a good clutch team.

That accounts for 10-12 of Maxi’s minutes (closing halves).  I suspect he’ll get his other 10-12 minutes supporting Lively when Lively is int he game.  My guess is Holmes lands the starting center spot.  We need to see what we have with him and rehab his reputation and value.  Powell is a Swiss Army Knife and will always be ready when called upon.

(07-13-2023, 01:57 PM)mvossman Wrote: This is exactly where I am at.  One of the best things about getting Williams is that it means we can use Maxi where he is most useful (small ball center) for most of his time on the court.

(07-13-2023, 12:04 PM)omahen Wrote: Toronto traded for Poeltl and just gave him a contract. I see no way they are even thinking about trading him, unless Mavs are offering Luka.

(07-13-2023, 01:35 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: After listening to Cuban

(07-13-2023, 02:20 PM)F Gump Wrote: I wouldn't consider that a reliable source. He'll tell you what he wants you to hear, in the moment. His reliability in what he says isn't anything he worries about, and I don't think we should take his words any more seriously than he does -- which is to say, not at all.

(07-13-2023, 02:38 PM)RasheedsBigWhiteSpot Wrote: One thing I think people are overlooking as they see the Mavs with money remaining in the MLE like it's burning a hole in their pocket, is how valuable it will be on the buyout market late in the season.

Not only will a number of teams be prevented from signing bought out players, but many teams will either be way in the tax or won't have any MLE money remaining to offer something over the minimum.

Look at some of the names I came up with who could be had this year if the Mavs just hold their water:

Gordon Hayward
Royce O'Neale
Kelly Olynyk
Alec Burks
Mike Conley
Cedi Osman

Possibly if dealt at the deadline
Tobias Harris
Buddy Hield

(07-12-2023, 05:39 PM)JamesConway912 Wrote: The unprotected 1st round pick swap in 2030 is potentially a hefty price to pay for a role player. You’re literally talking about the #1 pick that could go to the Spurs here if Luka isn’t here anymore by then. we certainly did not „steal“ Grant Williams. That picks swap has very high upside get for the Spurs. 

(07-13-2023, 01:34 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I'm glad you see how I feel about the pick. I made my feelings very well known about Lively. I am 100% sure the Mavs feel the opposite right now, and I could very well be wrong, but what I saw in Summer League hasn't exactly changed my mind.

The potential is definitely there. The idea of Lively is exactly what the Mavs need. I also tried to walk back my doom and gloom outlook to give the guy a fair chance against real NBA players. That hasn't changed. I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible, but I think Lively is a big project.

And I don't think he's good enough to forego getting a starting center that can play 30mpg because it could stunt his development. 

Like I said, I'm going to give it time and see how he looks with a maestro in the PnR. Maybe that's all he needs.

(07-13-2023, 01:51 PM)mvossman Wrote:   I think Lively has the physical tools, the proper instincts and a high motor both on the court and off (work effort).  That is the recipe for somebody to be a high level defender early in their NBA career.  The offensive side will probably take more time, but I don't think that is necessary for him to see significant time on the court.

(07-13-2023, 03:34 PM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: I agree with you.  I dont see this is as a successful summer if we go into the season with

maybe Holmes was just terrible because of his family situation
maybe Lively can be ready two years sooner than anyone thinks
maybe Maxi will be actually be healthy

Too many maybes for a team that wants to at least be a playoff team right now.  

We also haven't seen much discussion about the McMahon nugget about Thybulle would have started over Josh Green if Portland had let him go.  I'm still not sure the Mavs are as high on Josh Green as everyone assumes.  Grant Williams might be your third best starter or at least in the running and he was an 8th man/out of the rotation for an actual good team.

The maneuvering the Mavs have done this summer has been pretty nice but the product on the floor still looks quite underwhelming.