The Mavericks remain willing to take on salary in any deal as long as they get draft picks for their troubles, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Dallas has about $13MM in available cap room, and the quality of the picks they ask for will rise according to how much salary they absorb. The Mavs were rumored to be a potential third team to help complete a George Hill trade to Cleveland, with a Sacramento second-rounder coming to Dallas, but Sefko dismisses that as unlikely.
He identifies Harrison Barnes, Dennis Smith Jr. and Dirk Nowitzki as the only untouchables on the Mavericks’ roster, but adds that it would take an extraordinary offer to get J.J. Barea, Devin Harris or Wesley Matthews. Sefko notes that Dallas feels a sense of loyalty to its veteran players and speculates that another organization might have waived Harris before his contract became fully guaranteed earlier this month.
The Mavs, who rank fourth in our Reverse Standings, are counting on a high lottery pick to add another building block for the future. They would like to acquire a second pick and are hoping to find a center in the draft.
Sefko adds that Josh McRoberts, who has a $6MM expiring contract, is being made available in trades, but Dallas plans to let him play out the season if no deal is reached. The team is hoping to re-sign Seth Curry, Salah Mejri and Yogi Ferrell when they all hit free agency this summer.
There’s more tonight from the Southwest Division:
- The tension between Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs over his injury is “legit,” a source tells Ken Berger of Bleacher Report. GM R.C. Buford has denied any rift with Leonard, but both sides are frustrated over his long recovery time from right quadriceps tendinopathy. The same source says the Spurs have a history of being reluctant to get second opinions from doctors outside the organization. Despite the hard feelings, a rival GM says San Antonio hasn’t given any consideration to trading Leonard.
- The Rockets‘ return to full health has cost Gerald Green his spot in the rotation, notes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Green, who signed with the team in late December, averaged 15.6 points in 10 games while some key players were sidelined with injuries. “I can’t upset five guys to appease one,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I’d rather have one guy kind of out of it and four happy. I’ve got to keep a core that knows about their minutes. Now, whenever I can, I’ll play him. I won’t hesitate to play him. If somebody’s hurt or sick, he’ll play. Or if I can find time, I will.”
- The Grizzlies are already making moves with next season in mind, writes Chris Herrington of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Memphis is giving more minutes to younger players and letting veterans rest longer after injuries. The team plans to explore the trade market for Tyreke Evans and other players on expiring contracts before the February 8 deadline.
Bagley on the Mavs with Smith Jr would be pretty insane, I would become a Mavs fan if Bagley gets on the Mavs.
They would be good in like 5 years. They don’t have anything besides them then. They don’t have anything else really. Barnes is good but not a second round team.
Stick to biting fingers charlie
I take it you have not seen Bagley, dude is supposed to be in his senior year in high school and is dominating at Duke as Coach K’s first option. He anchors the offense and defense and is a 4-5 pushing the break like a guard with an insane motor on the boards and is a superb play-maker off the post a lot like Tim Duncan. If the Mavs get Bagley they are a playoff team next season period.
Getting Bagley would no doubt help the Mavs, and with Smith, Bags, Barnes, and maybe another free agent they could very well become an up and coming team, but IF they could make the playoffs, it would certainly be a first round exit, coming from the 7th or 8th seed…
I won’t say 5 years, but with Smith’s development and Bagley, I could see them becoming a solid force 4-5 seed in 2-3 seasons..
Stop responding to this idiot. You are giving him an audience
**** this is what I was saying
The Mavs are quietly building a solid young core. DSJ, Barnes, their 1st rounder this year(I’m thinking Bagley or Ayton), lots of cap space to pursue Jordan, Cousins, or maybe some mid level free agents. Watch out for Dallas in the future.
Watch out for what? A sixth seed? That’s their peak in the West.
Atlanta will be the best of the current biggest losers.
Cuban isn’t a sit around and make money and be ok with losing kind of owner. They re about to make a move
Another move to set the organization back? Can’t wait.