Do the Mavs have anything we want?

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 4:18 PM PST

I'm not generally a big fan of mid-season trade speculation, but it is interesting to look down the list of NBA teams, consider their long term needs, then figure out how Pritch might be able to "help".

Take Dallas. If they flame out this year, as is likely, they're probably destined to wallow in mediocrity for some years. I don't see that as an acceptable option for Mr. Cuban. The Mavs would love to be a player in the 2010 free agent bonanza, but are capped out in the worst way.

The worst offenders for Dallas in 2010 are Dirk ($21.5M), Dampier ($13.1M), and Diop ($6.5M). If they could clear some of this salary, they could make a run at Wade or Bosh.

When comparing LaMarcus' upside with Dirk's present production, it's hard to see LMA reaching Dirk's level. Dirk draws 7 FTA's a game, has a high EFG%, and is a pretty solid passer. Defense would take a hit, though Dirk is beefy enough to slow down a defender in time for Oden or Joel to rotate. There is some question about Dirk's mental toughness, but as 2nd or 3rd banana, he'd do fine.

Consider a trade of:

LMA, RLEC, Channing, Jerryd, Ike for

Dirk, Dampier

In 2010, starters would look like:

POR: Sergio?, Roy, Batum, Dirk, Oden (huge and dynamic)

DAL: Terry, Wade?, Howard, LMA, Diop (fast and lean)

Not saying this is a good trade per-se, but it would put us in serious contention next season. Dirk is 30 and probably has three or four solid years left. Thoughts?

Tweet Comment 38 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I don't want

Dampier – I’ve already got Przy and Oden.

I don’t want Dirk either, he’s on the wrong side of 30. – Elgin.

All the kids who played the blues would learn my licks with a bottleneck slide. - Richard Palmer-James

by 22baylor on Nov 28, 2008 4:26 PM PST reply actions

Taking Dampier

is the price of getting Dirk and provides some Oden insurance.

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

Agree

You don’t want Dirk at this point.

by rmcdougall on Nov 28, 2008 6:59 PM PST up reply actions

Sacrifice our future for a couple shots right now?

Thanks (not really), but no thanks (really).

by Bust a Bucket on Nov 28, 2008 4:30 PM PST reply actions

Good point

The problem is that best laid plans have a way of getting thrown for a loop. It’s not a guarantee that our big three remain healthy, motivated, and under contract for 12 years. At some point, this team will outgrow its innocence and will quibble over shots, minutes, and money. Not as much as other teams, but it will happen.

In 5 years, what are the odds that we’re a top 3 squad in the NBA? It’s easy to say 90, but that’s not accurate. There are lots of significant, but low probability events we have to account for. When you put all these together, you might be looking at more like 65-70. There have been quite a few “next juggernaughts” that haven’t panned.

We have the luxury of patience, but not of certainty…

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 4:43 PM PST up reply actions

Our big three haven't even played a season together yet

And strictly speaking, Oden hasn’t even been on the floor with LMA and Roy that much. KP trading away one of the key pieces to his vision of the team when it’s only been together for 16 games is crazy talk. If he traded LMA this season, I’d start thinking he’s merely human.

Besides, aren’t you assuming quite a bit if we did trade LMA for DN? Sure, there’s no guarantee that keeping LMA is the best (non)move—but there’s also no guarantee that DN in a Blazers uni is going to be a lot better. And if being a top 3 team in five years is the goal, I’d argue that DN may not even be one of the top forwards in the game at 35.

by grimc on Nov 28, 2008 5:43 PM PST up reply actions

Trading for certainty

I’d say it’s likely that Dirk would be a short-term improvement. He’s #4 in scoring, and has consistently averaged 11 RPG in the playoffs. Right now, I’m not sure LaMarcus is a top 40 NBA player. Dirk is at the very least in the top 15. I can’t see LMA getting to that point. Hopefully, I’m wrong.

LaMarcus may or may not be KP’s vision. He’s going to keep those cards close to the chest.

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 6:02 PM PST up reply actions

No!

I say we keep all of our young players, and see where they can take us. It’s been a fine ride so far! Let’s trust in KP, and stay on the path.

by shamman on Nov 28, 2008 4:41 PM PST reply actions

Maybe I'd want jason terry or josh howard. Don't think that'll happen.

But not Dirk. Too many question marks. I don’t get that Dirk has the eye of the tiger, and he’s only getting older.

by dario argento on Nov 28, 2008 4:44 PM PST reply actions

Question Marks

Does Dirk have legit question marks, or was he burdened with MVP expectations w/o commensurate talent? He’s not an alpha dog, but we’ve got those bases covered with our backcourt.

LMA has questions of his own to answer. He’ll likely be a borderline all-star player, but I’m struggling to see him as more than that. In retrospect, it would’ve made sense to wait until he busted his slump to post this, as he’s a better player than he’s showing the past few games.

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

Dirk doesn't work come playoff time

See:

uhh

Last 7 years

That is really hideous
--jscot

by prezofdeath on Nov 28, 2008 4:46 PM PST reply actions

He was the only one who did anything

during the playoffs last year.

by Eventine on Nov 28, 2008 8:21 PM PST up reply actions

As the BE ambassador to MavsMoneyball...

The current vibe over there is that the most likely players to be moved are Stackhouse, George and Terry. Stack has become completely expendable after Antoine Wright and Gerald Green have shown good progress. No one understands why George got a new deal anyway. And Terry can be great on some nights and go for 30+ points, but disappear and disappoint sorely on others and is thus expensive for what he does. I would say we don’t really want anyone from that trio.

I don’t think Cuban wants to see Dirk go anywhere until his contract is up in 2010 (ETO) or 2011. Heck, he reportedly even declined talks about a swap for Kobe. I really like Dirk, but he might have three more good years and then two or three mediocre ones. At this point, I wouldn’t give up LMA for him anymore. In 2010, if there are no chances to win a title anymore in Dallas, he might be willing to accept a lot less salary to go play for a contender (he is definitely not all about the money).

They are also still high on Josh Howard (who has damaged his trade value with off-court stuff anyway this year), and e.g. declined a deal of Gerald Wallace for him and also didn’t want to give him up in a Ron Artest deal.

by Norsktroll on Nov 28, 2008 4:47 PM PST reply actions

I like the idea of Terry

because of the Seattle connection – Roy and Webster really look up to him.

What would it cost to get Terry? – Elgin

All the kids who played the blues would learn my licks with a bottleneck slide. - Richard Palmer-James

by 22baylor on Nov 28, 2008 4:51 PM PST up reply actions

First of all $9 million in salary, going up to 9.8 in 2011. The last year is unguaranteed

It might seem a bit strange, but I think B-Rex will become a similar player, able to play both guard positions.

Team needs:

Starting SG (currently it looks like that will be Wright, with Terry in a Ginobili role off the bench)
Backup PG (Barea is pretty bad. We would hate that guy)
Center (preferably an offensive-minded one, since Dampier and Diop are all about defense)

I could see them e.g. trying to deal Terry + x for Kaman

by Norsktroll on Nov 28, 2008 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

sorry

I havent been following the NBA a ton lately, but why would the clips want to drop the reasonably priced and reasonably talented Kaman? I see how Dallas would like Kaman, but I dont see why the clips would like this deal. On the other hand it is the clippers and they are taking crazy pills on trades this year.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Nov 29, 2008 8:38 AM PST up reply actions

It's just an idea that has been thrown around by a few observers

If the Clippers had not acquired Camby (or Randolph), it really would be no discussion. But now they have three starting quality big men, while also two good backups on the roster. And arguably one of the worst wings in the league. So the deal might help both teams.

by Norsktroll on Nov 29, 2008 9:24 AM PST up reply actions

Could see

them dumping Camby given his age, but I am intrigued by the combo of Randolph and Camby together, but I imagine the clips wold prefer Kaman in there as he has a lot more of a future than Camby, but who knows. They certainly do not have a win it all now type of roster.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Nov 29, 2008 10:15 AM PST up reply actions

I like it too.

Terry would be good for us. A good player with the Seattle connection. We’d definetly have a Pacific NW feel. Roy, Webster, Nate ( not from there but with Seattle connections from playing and coaching days ). Be good if we had Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, and Luke Ridnour too. We’d definetly be a Pacific NW flavored team. Still we have a good amount of Pacific NW flavor to us.

by CanadianBlazerfan on Nov 28, 2008 6:13 PM PST up reply actions

I would rather

Have a skilled flavor then a pacific NW flavor tbh.

Who cares where they are from, only what they do when they come. Case in point, Batum, Rudy & Sergio.

The Only Way LeBron Comes To Portland?

by TheGreatDane17 on Nov 28, 2008 6:19 PM PST up reply actions

I know.

I can see why you’d rather have the skilled flavor than the Pacific NW one. Where there from is good but this thinking I had was a " what if " thing. Not a big deal.

by CanadianBlazerfan on Nov 28, 2008 6:26 PM PST up reply actions

Nate v. Jerryd in practice?

Fistfight waiting to happen, and Jerryd wouldn’t be the one to take the first swing. Just sayin’.

by grimc on Nov 28, 2008 6:55 PM PST up reply actions

Cuban

A lot of this depends on Cuban. As competitive as he is, it’s hard to see him settling for a 7th seed year after year. It seems like they’ll either have to accept being “just okay” or they have to blow it up. Stack, Terry, and George aren’t going to fetch enough in trade to get over the hump and the draft will be of little help.

Anyway, thanks for the insight!

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 4:56 PM PST up reply actions

A very real posibility that

If The Maves are a .500 team with a lock on the 9th seed,see lottery,in Feb.Cuban does something major before the deadline.

by southern oregon on Nov 28, 2008 5:22 PM PST up reply actions

I say no to dirk.

I can never trust a player who can only take jumpshots. thats about it with dirk….. He takes the sissy fadeaway every single time. too unreliable. u cant win any rings with those

"All our holes," says shooting guard Brandon Roy, a surprise All-Star last year in his second season, "are holes that Greg is going to plug."

by bowdown on Nov 28, 2008 5:11 PM PST reply actions

Dirk won't win a championship

Without great players around him. His fadeaway is one of the best in the last 10 years, very reliable. He has a poor team around him & is doomed to failures in the playoffs if he stays on a team content with talent that is like rust.

The Only Way LeBron Comes To Portland?

by TheGreatDane17 on Nov 28, 2008 5:58 PM PST up reply actions

I'm just going to say

I’m glad Pritchard makes these decisions, and you don’t.

Chris Dudley for three!

by wilbjammin on Nov 28, 2008 6:31 PM PST reply actions

Uncalled for

but I understand the sentiment.

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 6:34 PM PST up reply actions

Welcome to the club of people who have proposed a LMA/RLEC for Dirk trade

I thought I was the only one that saw some potential upside in that move. However, I wouldn’t make that trade if it meant getting stuck with Dampier though.

by tingeyga on Nov 28, 2008 6:38 PM PST reply actions

Hard one

I’m not convinced that Paul Allen cares that much about team payroll – if we’re in contention. So, $30M for Dampier with luxury tax might not be a deal killer. We’d at least be assured of not having to watch Channing at center.

There’s so much information we just don’t have. What I wouldn’t give to put KP on a lie detector and ask him what he really thinks the likely career paths are for LMA and Greg.

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 6:46 PM PST up reply actions

If it helps your planning, the last year of Damp is fully unguaranteed due to an unusual contract clause

Unless either 1) Dampier is selected to play in any three NBA All-Star Games out of the 2004-2005 through the 2009-2010 seasons (nope), or 2) Dampier plays at least 2,100 minutes in the 70 regular season games in the 2009-2010 season in which he plays the most minutes (unlikely and controllable) or 3) Dallas wins a championship with him until then.

So really he is owed ca. $23 million, and could be considered an expiring deal in 2010 and the Mavs might want to hold onto him to use him as a trade chip then.

by Norsktroll on Nov 28, 2008 6:57 PM PST up reply actions

That's not obvious at all

Thanks for pointing it out. Strange clause. They might be interested in dumping Diop instead. Smaller deal, but goes forever…

by Engineering Problem on Nov 28, 2008 7:00 PM PST up reply actions

Wow

Those are some truly wacky clauses. Who does he have as an agent?

by tingeyga on Nov 28, 2008 8:30 PM PST up reply actions

Mark Cuban

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Nov 29, 2008 8:40 AM PST up reply actions

Brandon Bass

We could use a banger with some abilities off the bench. Other than that, no.

"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.

by blazermaniac32 on Nov 28, 2008 9:54 PM PST reply actions

No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No

#12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12 #12

or was that too subtle……..

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
It is Official! LMA is BACK!!!
29:20 Mins 8-13 FGs +23 3 Off 7 RBs 1 Ast 1 Blk 17 Points - LMA vs N.O. 11-28-08

by LaMarvelous on Nov 28, 2008 10:29 PM PST reply actions

Amen x's the LaMarvelous comment =

Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen

GO
THE TEACHER ......come into my classroom "THE PAINT" for some tutelage.

by Blazer1342 on Nov 28, 2008 11:44 PM PST up reply actions

So what?

Not saying this is a good trade per-se, but it would put us in serious contention next season

Maybe you haven’t noticed, but we’re actually very, very good right now, even though we still have a lot of young and improving players. Very, very, very good.

We will be in serious contention next season even if we don’t have a single change in personnel.

That’s right, KP could trade away our #1 pick for 15 future second round picks, trade all our second round picks this year for future ones, re-sign Channing and Ike, keep Shavlik, not use the cap space, not making a single personnel change, and we will be a threat to win 60+ and the team most likely to knock the L@kers off their perch as Western Conference champions.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Nov 29, 2008 4:57 AM PST reply actions 1 recs