Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

Maybe we have different ideas when we think about the term "creator."

Ben Mathurin creates offense for himself.  He does not create offense for others.  A good creator has an assist percentage around 30%.  Ben Mathurin is around 10%.  That's a similar percentage as Klay Thompson and THJ.

One meaning of the word "creator" and what I meant, yes.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I dont think that's what the Mavs need.  They need a guy that can run offense and be a secondary playmaker to Flagg and Kyrie.  Someone that can be a connector instead of a ball stopper.  Mathurin and Kuminga are the exact opposite of what we need IMO.

We're just desperate at this point.  We went into the offseason needing a player like that and we've acquired what 6-7 guys and still haven't found that player.  Unless they're counting on De Larrea to play heavy minutes as a rookie.

[KillerLeft]

I guess I just don't see it.  He is a guy that can create for himself, but he doesn't create for others.  That doesn't seem like the kind of guy they are targeting.  Its a red flag that Rick allowed him to be dumped.  Its another red flag that he has all the physical tools but is still a bad defender.  He seems like a guy more focused on getting his than winning.

I kind of agree with this, and agree that this is the thing that doesn't seem to fit with the other additions they're making. 

I'm not pushing for this, I'm just trying to offer the positive side to what Dan has been selling, and I DO see some positive in this hypothetical. Getting Mathurin to understand how to function in a team-ball situation is really no different than the task of getting Scoot Henderson to understand how to play PG on a good team...probably an easier task, honestly, although far from easy. I'm just saying, he has the talent and physical tools, and he's only 24. I could get excited about the potential if they decided to go that route.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein: UPDATE: The trade to make him a Maverick is still pending, but league sources say Tarik Biberović has informed Fenerbahçe he’s leaving for the NBA. After acquiring him from Memphis, Dallas is expected to sign Biberović to a two-year, $6 million deal with a team option in Year 2. Under NBA rules, Dallas can only cover $900,000 of the $2M buyout required for him to depart, leaving Biberović to cover the rest.



x.com

[mvossman]

From a Mavs „talent accumulation and rising the value of the roster“ perspective he fits - him being only 23 years old fits, him being African and Ujiri being an ambassador of African basketball fits.

Most importantly I don’t think we’re full at his position, because following that 4-5 switchable forwards and positional size script there’s no clear one position for him - and lots of minutes. 

So if other full MLE options close and the price gets right - let’s go for it!

Flagg, PJ, Morez, Aldama are all big minute players that are probably best at the 4 and will get plenty of minutes there.  My point is less about what makes sense for Mavs and more about what makes sense for Kuminga.  It would be hard to look at this roster and be confident he is going to get his 30 every night.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I guess I just don't see it.  He is a guy that can create for himself, but he doesn't create for others.  That doesn't seem like the kind of guy they are targeting.  Its a red flag that Rick allowed him to be dumped.  Its another red flag that he has all the physical tools but is still a bad defender.  He seems like a guy more focused on getting his than winning.

Dang, I should've kept reading before replying.

[KillerLeft]

I dont think that's what the Mavs need.  They need a guy that can run offense and be a secondary playmaker to Flagg and Kyrie.  Someone that can be a connector instead of a ball stopper.  Mathruin and Kuminga are the exact opposite of what we need IMO.

Well, I actually agree with you. 

But, I also think Sasser is going to play, not be a 9th or 10th man...more like 7th or 8th. And, I think he's going to be out there creating a lot of shots for himself, and not others (took a deep dive on his pick and roll game - it's pretty good, actually). 

I do think when you're trying to rebuild after having one of the worst offenses of all time, ANY kind of competent offensive creation is a step in the right direction. I'm just trying to imagine ways in which these hypothetical targets might fit, and I can envision something for Mathurin here - whether the Mavs can or can't, I have no clue!

[KillerLeft]

Kuminga, on the other hand, I have less than zero interest in. Zilch.

[mvossman]

I kind of agree with this, and agree that this is the thing that doesn't seem to fit with the other additions they're making. 

I'm not pushing for this, I'm just trying to offer the positive side to what Dan has been selling, and I DO see some positive in this hypothetical. Getting Mathurin to understand how to function in a team-ball situation is really no different than the task of getting Scoot Henderson to understand how to play PG on a good team...probably an easier task, honestly, although far from easy. I'm just saying, he has the talent and physical tools, and he's only 24. I could get excited about the potential if they decided to go that route.

I don't disagree with any of this, but if anything its made me more skeptical of bringing in Scoot than optimistic about Mathurin.

[KillerLeft]

I don't disagree with any of this, but if anything its made me more skeptical of bringing in Scoot than optimistic about Mathurin.

I will certainly agree that character and team-ball attitude seem to be common themes among those they're targeting and/or acquiring (other than Kawhi, if we believe that one), and I'm here for it. 

I have no idea where Henderson is on that spectrum, but I agree there's reason to suspect Mathurin (and especially Kuminga) aren't on the right half of it.

[F Gump]

I think Mathurin is a young FA who hasn't signed. But it's always felt to me like that's the extent of his "fit" with the Mavs. I don't see anything about him that makes him a particularly good target for the Mavs to pursue, and even more so in light of his salary demands.

[mvossman]

Kuminga, on the other hand, I have less than zero interest in. Zilch.

An interesting take as they are similar players (Kuminga is actually better, especially defensively).  Is it the attitude?

[KillerLeft]

An interesting take as they are similar players (Kuminga is actually better, especially defensively).  Is it the attitude?

Attitude, positional fit, fatigue of "where will Kuminga end up, and what can the Warriors get for him" for years, idk. We're painting them with the same brush, and I get why, but Mathurin has been quiet and anonymous, by comparison. And, I really think Mathurin has rare talent with the ball as a guard with size. I've watched him play quite a bit, and I don't think the numbers tell the story, personally.

[windjc]

I think Rez is going to score and create a lot more than people realize.

May tells the story that they needed a connector. Rez volunteered. The rest was history.

If May says, we need you to create and connect, he may well do it.

I think many are underestimating his skills.

[mvossman]

I think Rez is going to score and create a lot more than people realize.

May tells the story that they needed a connector. Rez volunteered. The rest was history.

If May says, we need you to create and connect, he may well do it.

I think many are underestimating his skills.

Morez had one assist per game and was a finisher on offense in college.  I'm sure there is more to his game to develop, but I'm not sure I would pencil him in for more production/creation in his rookie year than he had in college.

[windjc]

Morez had one assist per game and was a finisher on offense in college.  I'm sure there is more to his game to develop, but I'm not sure I would pencil him in for more production/creation in his rookie year than he had in college.

Yes he will be more productive. He will thrive with spacing.

[Winter]

Morez had one assist per game and was a finisher on offense in college.  I'm sure there is more to his game to develop, but I'm not sure I would pencil him in for more production/creation in his rookie year than he had in college.

Agree. If we're underestimating his playmaking skills it was because they were not evident at Michigan. Most analysts thought it was the one area that needed work. 

I don't think he's incapable of it though.

[KillerLeft]

Here's what I want to know:

Did Biberovic get his team to move the date of the buyout, or is money changing hands today? If it's the latter, then did he just put it up himself, without the $900 K contribution from the Mavs? They haven't even officially traded for him yet, so...I kind of doubt they're allowed to send that money today, right?

Or, was his informing his team that he intends to exercise the NBA out clause enough to satisfy its requirements, with the payment to change hands at a later date? And if so, is he taking a risk based on a hand shake deal with the Mavs?

Or, is the business with Aldama, Sasser and however many other teams involved about to be resolved in an hour?

This is fascinating.

[Moviemavguy]

Reggie Bullock 2.0?

Bullock couldn't handle the ball.

[KillerLeft]

I also kind of wonder whether we'll see KD get traded soon. I don't expect it exactly, to be clear, but idk...I have this weird feeling.