MAVS NEWS:

[F Gump]

Gump, do you really think that Exum can resolve all our playmaking problems?

I never said Exum was The Answer at PG. 

But yes, he is an NBA-caliber PG. Already proven and capable. Could be one piece in a multi-player PG-by-committee until Kyrie came back. The same was true with BWill. I saw them as two actual PGS with some experience on the team to run the offense. 

I expected DAR and CF could be workable as secondary ball handlers alongside. And maybe in time they could take more of the load.

And eventually Kyrie will be back to be the main guy. 

But we didn't get Exum (yet). Or BWill until several games into the season, and then having to get up to speed. And Kyrie was never expected until mid-season or so. So we started with ZERO PGs with any experience on this team to run the offense. You need 2. In 576 minutes played so far, the Mavs have had one of those 2 PGs for only 199 of them. It's no wonder that it hasn't worked.

Of course it was a disaster. No one knew the Mavs would be starting the season with no one to be PG except the secondary guys (DAR, CF) who had less-refined skills and no experience with this team. I certainly didn't calculate their chances with no PG at all to start the season. Who knew? ~shrug~  

Except the Mavs knew. That's the part that is weird. Why would THEY opt for such a path with no PGs at all? In any event, they have neither Kyrie NOR Exum, and lots of other injured players every game, and we have to deal with what we have.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I never said Exum was The Answer at PG. 

But yes, he is an NBA-caliber PG. Already proven and capable. Could be one piece in a multi-player PG-by-committee until Kyrie came back. The same was true with BWill. I saw them as two actual PGS with some experience on the team to run the offense. 

I expected DAR and CF could be workable as secondary ball handlers alongside. And maybe in time they could take more of the load.

And eventually Kyrie will be back to be the main guy. 

But we didn't get Exum (yet). Or BWill until several games into the season, and then having to get up to speed. And Kyrie was never expected until mid-season or so. So we started with ZERO PGs with any experience on this team to run the offense. You need 2. 

Of course it was a disaster. No one knew the Mavs would be starting the season with no one to be PG except the secondary guys (DAR, CF) who had less-refined skills and no experience with this team. I certainly didn't calculate their chances with no PG at all to start the season. Who knew? ~shrug~  

Except the Mavs knew. That's the part that is weird. Why would THEY opt for such a path with no PGs at all? In any event, they have neither Kyrie NOR Exum, and lots of other injured players every game, and we have to deal with what we have.

I disagree but it's ok, personal opinions could be different.
I think those guys wouldn't have changed much in terms of wins and losses and for sure not about to judge a "vision".
Don't forget Harrison told about win championship, not to be a 50% team.

The last question is interesting, i don't know and probably Kidd was not informed about Exum & B-Will situations or injuries. 
From the outside of Mavs world/FO is a suicide. No explanations.

[Chicagojk]

It scares me to hear Cuban is pushing hard for Lindsay.  While he may be a very good candidate, I think for Mark the biggest thing is having a heard voice again or having a seat at the table.  If it is someone brought in from outside Mavs fandom, he may be on the outside looking in again.   Just worries me a bit.  Obviously the same thing if Kidd gains more power in front office.

For Dumont, I hope he uses this time to talk to several people.  For a basketball noob it is a great time to ask questions.  Get different opinions.  Get different opinions of your current players.  Get thoughts on how you would fix this.  Etc.   It could be a real good basketball 101 course.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://basketnews.com/news-235018-jason...at-pg.html


JKidd's son, TJ, publicly criticizes him for playing CF at PG

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.si.com/nba/charles-barkley-s...-mavericks


Chuck says Nico is being made the scapegoat.

[Chicagojk]

https://basketnews.com/news-235018-jason...at-pg.html


JKidd's son, TJ, publicly criticizes him for playing CF at PG

There is history between Kidd and his son.  Not sure what but I know they don’t get along.

On a different level, it is easy to see who really watches the games.  When I hear people saying Cooper is playing point it is an immediate turnoff as they have not seen the games then.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Flagg at the point was a foolish move, i can't believe some people here were excited about it.

I think the position less basketball narrative is a little bit out of control, it's better having players who can switch and play multiple positions but basketball is still basketball... If you don't have a floor general you can't win games (mostly in PO where is an half court game... Doncic and Jokic are master in that).
It you don't have shooters the space is horrible.
Those stuffs are still the same.

Boston had 4 good to great ballhandlers and Horford who is a fantastic passer in the S5.
OKC is a very unicorn, they are stacked and a lot of talent. But SGA/J-Dub are great ballhandlers and others decent passers and great shooters, plus Wallace&Caruso from the bench who are basically PG/SG.

Our team roster is totally wrong and i don't think Harrison had a vision. Just business off the court.

[khaled1987]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4695...kers-spurs


Brian "I spoke with rival executives" Windhorst is saying there seems to be a belief we might trade AD, but it is also a question on whether or not we could get a desirable return. They also cite tax as an incentive to move on and build around CF. Why pay tax for a team going nowhere? Why pay AD a massive contract to his late 30's

[Chicagojk]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4695...kers-spurs


Brian "I spoke with rival executives" Windhorst is saying there seems to be a belief we might trade AD, but it is also a question on whether or not we could get a desirable return. They also cite tax as an incentive to move on and build around CF. Why pay tax for a team going nowhere? Why pay AD a massive contract to his late 30's

I don’t understand this.  I know AD is looking for an extension but I am sorry he is not getting it now.  His contract runs for 2 or 3 more years.  That is mid 30’s, not late 30’s.

If I am not getting an offer that I really like, I am keeping him.  I get the timelines do not match with Cooper but AD should have more solid years ahead of him.  

Mavs get a top 8 pick or better and I really don’t care what they do with AD.  I would be in no hurry to move him…especially at a discount rate.  
‘

[mvossman]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4695...kers-spurs


Brian "I spoke with rival executives" Windhorst is saying there seems to be a belief we might trade AD, but it is also a question on whether or not we could get a desirable return. They also cite tax as an incentive to move on and build around CF. Why pay tax for a team going nowhere? Why pay AD a massive contract to his late 30's

that tax is another gift of the Grimes trade.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1989370537542574408


Lively is starting at center tonight, according to Shams.

[FireNicoHarrison]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1989370537542574408


Lively is starting at center tonight, according to Shams.

Great news

[khaled1987]

I don’t understand this.  I know AD is looking for an extension but I am sorry he is not getting it now.  His contract runs for 2 or 3 more years.  That is mid 30’s, not late 30’s.

If I am not getting an offer that I really like, I am keeping him.  I get the timelines do not match with Cooper but AD should have more solid years ahead of him.  

Mavs get a top 8 pick or better and I really don’t care what they do with AD.  I would be in no hurry to move him…especially at a discount rate.  
‘

He has one more season beside this one with another year player option that he will decline. Which means he will demand an extension in the summer, or a trade for a team that will give him one.

So, the idea here, is that this is a package that affects his value, for both the Mavs and any team that trade for him.

Mavs can't afford to lose AD for free in 2027, and you have to ask whether or not you should renew him. A 2 year extension will mean he will be 36 at the end of it, and soon.

[michaeltex]

GM contracts are not typically public, but it looks like Bob Myers was offered north of 10m in 2023 to become what would be the highest paid GM in the league (though, how does a reporter know who is the highest if that information is not readily available?).  Not that I don't believe you, but Donnie getting $30 million per year sounds fishy.

I see what you did there...

[michaeltex]

He has one more season beside this one with another year player option that he will decline. Which means he will demand an extension in the summer, or a trade for a team that will give him one.

So, the idea here, is that this is a package that affects his value, for both the Mavs and any team that trade for him.

Mavs can't afford to lose AD for free in 2027, and you have to ask whether or not you should renew him. A 2 year extension will mean he will be 36 at the end of it, and soon.

$54M+ this year, &58M+ next year and just under $63M as a PO in two years. Luka was on track for a 5yr/$345M extension that DAL (or at least Nico) didn't want to pay. Does AD really think he's getting a raise for an extension in his mid-30s? 

OTOH, since next season will be sort of a "contract year" I wonder if he re-engages and returns to All Star performance.

[cow]

https://www.si.com/nba/charles-barkley-s...-mavericks


Chuck says Nico is being made the scapegoat.

I love Chuck, but this is one of his worst takes.  Anyone who takes that stance that Nico didn't get a fair chance to see what this team can bee post-trade because of injuries...hello!?!?!?!  He trade for Day-to-Davis/Street Clothes and not a young version of Davis either.  The outcome was 100% predictable.  And let's not forget the cherry-on-top Caleb Martin trade.  I've never seen the basketball community be in more unison than the Luka trade and calling it out far what it was; one of the worst in sports history.  You just don't trade generational talent unless you have to and if you do, you need to refill the holes you dug to put a team around that talent.  Nico did neither.  These commentators that are his friend are so pathetic, walking on eggshells instead of just calling it what it is.  It's almost more infuriating than the trade itself.  /rant

[fifteenth]

I've seen way too many media talking heads say that Nico was a scapegoat. That's alternate universe talk.

[KillerLeft]

I've seen way too many media talking heads say that Nico was a scapegoat. That's alternate universe talk.

He was hired here, not to actually be a GM, because Cuban's plan was to keep doing that, but to establish a connection between the Mavericks and the modern African American athlete pipeline. And, that part worked. Harrison is well-liked in many circles, so it doesn't surprise me that people are going out of their way to defend him. He's their pal, after all. That's what Cuban liked when he hired the guy. 

Honestly, going back to the Donnie Nelson exit and examining the chain of events from then until now with the benefit of hindsight, what's really fascinating is how specifically all of the variables fell into place to make the current hell a reality.

[fifteenth]

He was hired here, not to actually be a GM, because Cuban's plan was to keep doing that, but to establish a connection between the Mavericks and the modern African American athlete pipeline. And, that part worked. Harrison is well-liked in many circles, so it doesn't surprise me that people are going out of their way to defend him. He's their pal, after all. That's what Cuban liked when he hired the guy. 

Honestly, going back to the Donnie Nelson exit and examining the chain of events from then until now with the benefit of hindsight, what's really fascinating is how specifically all of the variables fell into place to make the current hell a reality.

I know Cuban was hands on at that time, but I believe Nico's title was General Manager and President of Basketball Operations. I'm not going to argue against the point that Cuban was hands on of course.

But Nico had all the power, except that he needed a "yes" from the ownership, when he made the Luka trade. 

I get that Nico has a lot of friends in the NBA. I thought about that regarding this topic. I guess I may falsely expect people to relay the facts at rather than misrepresent to protect friend. Factually speaking, this trade was Nico's baby. You don't even have to say anything bad about Nico just report, "Nico got fired by the fans for trading Luka."

Last thing. None of the handful of national talking heads that have called Nico the scapegoat, that I have heard, have said anything about the "fire Nico" chants from the fans. And they've said nothing about the fans being upset with ownership as well. 

The reporting may be based on "he's my dude," but it's still make believe.

[KillerLeft]

I know Cuban was hands on at that time, but I believe Nico's title was General Manager and President of Basketball Operations. I'm not going to argue against the point that Cuban was hands on of course.

But Nico had all the power, except that he needed a "yes" from the ownership, when he made the Luka trade. 

That's where things ended up, but I don't think that's where they started. I think Harrison's annoyance with having to deal with Cuban is probably what led to him getting pushed out completely, once that was possible. 

I honestly don't think Cuban ever intended Harrison to be GM in the sense we mean when we use that title. He even said once, pretty early on "Nico has a ways to go when it comes to player evaluation." No joke, Cuban actually said that (or something really close to that) on a podcast before he sold the team. Cut to Harrison's internal memo placing Jokic and Jrue Holiday on a similar tier...I swear, the writers of Succession couldn't contrive a more perfect set of circumstances to bring about the end of the Luka era. It's like a Shakespearean tragedy.