05-26-2023, 01:33 AM
(05-25-2023, 07:58 AM)omahen Wrote: From Hollinger:
How can trades happen if nobody can make a deal? The three teams that should be selling (Portland, Chicago and Washington) insist on buying, and the bad teams have nothing the good teams want. But the biggest obstacle to trades this offseason, by far, is that a number of teams that otherwise would be dealing like crazy have choked off all their options.
https://theathletic.com/4550621/2023/05/...hollinger/
The Mavs are one of the teams in that boat, where their options are choked off and there are no teams selling. As the article implies, there are so many teams looking for help, that any "good" players made available who can improve your team will have a slew of suitors eager to grab the player, which means nothing will be cheap.
I will repeat something I've said a few times before, which is that the Mavs real way forward would be to somehow figure out and embrace the minimum salary and developmental route. Create a pipeline and use it. Part of that requires real minutes, and roles, and an attempt to bring players along. Between the Legends and the 2-ways and some open slots in the roster, with a willingness to invest minutes, I believe you can make things happen IF it becomes your priority.
The Mavs dabble at these things, and piddle around. I think of the times when they have 2-way openings that go unused, for what seems forever, when they should always be aware where "the next guy" is, and grabbing him and getting to work when they get an opening. The lack of urgency speaks volumes.
Cuban is impatient (as we are too) and wants to swap his way to better roster. My crap for your useful player. Or for those hidden gem guys. But no one wants to give away their talent or emerging gems, so that costs an arm and a leg. Instead, gotta create the bargain yourself, for yourself -- go expertly identify and find those guys and develop them into the kind of player we need. Hardy might be a start, but Mavs need to be doing 2-3 of these every year, with the hope that you end up putting 1-2 into your bargain keeper category each year.
There is nothing in the cap to keep that from being doable. Including this year, when there are no assets. It just takes smarts, hard work, and some patience.