Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
Jalen Brunson is still deciding whether or not to sign an extension with the Knicks this offseason, per
@FredKatz
(https://nytimes.com/athletic/5623693/202...extension/).

If Brunson signs now instead of next year, he would be saving New York around $15 million annually to retain their roster long-term.

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
The Pelicans covet Jarrett Allen and Wendell Carter Jr. as their preferred targets on the trade market, per
@WillGuillory
(https://nytimes.com/athletic/5623237/202...-pelicans/).

New Orleans’ top priority remains adding a starting center.

[RGP1981]

@esidery
The Pelicans covet Jarrett Allen and Wendell Carter Jr. as their preferred targets on the trade market, per
@WillGuillory
(https://nytimes.com/athletic/5623237/202...-pelicans/).

New Orleans’ top priority remains adding a starting center.

Do the Pelicans have anything cheap but good that the Mavs would want in exchange for Dwight Powell?

[RGP1981]

Highwood Haysmith goes back to the Heat, 2 years @ $11m.

I'm surprised that the Nuggets didn't go for him. He could have been a decent Bruce Brown replacement.

[Kidnova]

Do the Pelicans have anything cheap but good that the Mavs would want in exchange for Dwight Powell?

Best thing would be Powell for air, but I don't think the Pels would have any interest.   They obviously want an impact player.

[DallasMaverick]

Best thing would be Powell for air, but I don't think the Pels would have any interest.   They obviously want an impact player.

Powell’s an impact player.

Look what he did to Kyrie’s foot!!

[WillE]

@esidery
The Pelicans covet Jarrett Allen and Wendell Carter Jr. as their preferred targets on the trade market, per
@WillGuillory
(https://nytimes.com/athletic/5623237/202...-pelicans/).

New Orleans’ top priority remains adding a starting center.

Pels just signed Daniel Theis to a 1 year deal. Sure doesn't mean they are done trying to upgrade at center, but gives them at least a reliable rotation piece and probably also improves their chances for trade talks, since their need there just decreased.

[Chicagojk]

Where do you think Gary Trent winds up with. He made 18 million last year. 25 years old and shot 39% from 3 last year. A lot of FA money has dried up. From what I read, Toronto isn't expected to resign him and they may not even have the ability to resign him. I may be wrong though. If they can, maybe a sign and trade is possible.

I wonder if he is one of the guys who misread the market and may need to sign a one year prove it deal. I would hate to see him wind up in denver for the minimum.

[SleepingHero]

Just to remind yall how far we came

This was one year ago today. I refused to believe a rookie center could've been better than Ayton in their 1st season. I was so ready to go and win. The restraint and poise to not only believe in Lively but to roll with it was a masterclass move.

[Dirknows]

Just to remind yall how far we came

This was one year ago today. I refused to believe a rookie center could've been better than Ayton in their 1st season. I was so ready to go and win. The restraint and poise to not only believe in Lively but to roll with it was a masterclass move.

My brother texted me after they picked Lively saying he was going to be a beast (he watches a fair amount of Duke basketball), I was not a believer, but DLive changed that quickly.

[KillerLeft]

Just to remind yall how far we came

This was one year ago today. I refused to believe a rookie center could've been better than Ayton in their 1st season. I was so ready to go and win. The restraint and poise to not only believe in Lively but to roll with it was a masterclass move.

One of the all-time best "didn't pull the trigger" moments in Mavs history, and there have been many.

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
The Jazz are asking for at least a first-round pick in Walker Kessler trade discussions, per
@IanBegley
.

Utah appears very open listening to offers on the 7-foot rim protector.

[Luka77]

Just to remind yall how far we came

This was one year ago today. I refused to believe a rookie center could've been better than Ayton in their 1st season. I was so ready to go and win. The restraint and poise to not only believe in Lively but to roll with it was a masterclass move.

While everone on this board was designing ideas for trading for him I went against the grain and speaking against it and keeping their pick from the beginning.

[KillerLeft]

While everone on this board was designing ideas for trading for him I went against the grain and speaking against it and keeping their pick from the beginning.

Wow, that’s not how I remember it at all. From what I recall, most were adamantly against Ayton, and rightfully so. SleepingHero was into it, and I feel like maybe Dan was, too.

[BigDirk41]

Wow, that’s not how I remember it at all. From what I recall, most were adamantly against Ayton, and rightfully so. SleepingHero was into it, and I feel like maybe Dan was, too.

Yeah hardly anyone was for Ayton and the few that were seemed to only be if he was basically free.

[The Jom]

Yeah hardly anyone was for Ayton and the few that were seemed to only be if he was basically free.

Me. Free Ayton sounded good. I’d still be tempted.

[Mavs2021]

@esidery
The Jazz are asking for at least a first-round pick in Walker Kessler trade discussions, per
@IanBegley
.

Utah appears very open listening to offers on the 7-foot rim protector.

Wow. If I was the Pelicans, I´d pull the trigger on this so fast....I mean that is a very dumb idea New Orleans, don´t you do it.

[LukaMVP]

if Kessler is only worth one first round pick I'd wonder how much value gafford would have in a hypothetical trade. Kessler is a good rim protecter and excellent rebounder, and he also has 3pt range that can help space the floor, not as athletic as gafford though.

[SleepingHero]

Wow. If I was the Pelicans, I´d pull the trigger on this so fast....I mean that is a very dumb idea New Orleans, don´t you do it.

Pelicans do have the firsts to go after Kessler, but I don't think the asking price is a single first. That's not how Danny Ainge operates. 

I think this story was floated by Ainge to light a fire under the Pelicans butt to say "hey we got more suitors and they're already offering us a FRP, if you want Kessler you have to give us 2."

Secondly, while Kessler is a great defensive center, New Orleans needs a stretch 5 to pair next to Zion. That's why they let Valanciunas go.

[Chicagojk]

Wow. If I was the Pelicans, I´d pull the trigger on this so fast....I mean that is a very dumb idea New Orleans, don´t you do it.

His regression was really weird last year.  Although playing with all those guards who can't run an offense didn't help.   Just thinking back from a year from now though, I thought I had a really good idea of what Kessler (and Mark Williams from Charlotte) are.   Both didn't improve and you can make the case they declined a little.    Entering the season, I thought Lively was the better long term player but thought Kessler was probably a year ahead of him in his timeline.   That is not the case now.  

Utah is in a really weird spot.  The Clev and Min draft picks may or may not be great.  The last two years they have stretches where they are a pretty solid team in the first half.  After the all star break they turn into one of the worst teams in the league.   Then wind up with the 9th or 10th pick.  They can't keep doing that.  Being stuck in the late lottery after a terrible season finish is no mans land.